I'm attempting to get FCC (the church I pastor) to be more outward focused. For the most part, the people here are mission-minded. In the six months I've been at the church, I've attempted to "push" a little harder in this area. In other words, many churches I know are concerned about caring for themselves, rather than caring for those outside the church. They're good at fellowship dinners. Many of them have beautiful buildings. They've got $$$ in the bank for a rainy day. They have four-part harmony while singing the old hymns. And "service" or "worship" is 1-2 hours on Sunday.
I may be accused of over generalizing. But is it really? Haven't most who define themselves as "church" really become a social club?
I live in what used to be considered part of the Bible Belt. In other words, this place was saturated with the Church and ministry was going strong. And just the other day, I hear about a bussinesswoman (raised in this area) who admitted to not understanding the reason for Christmas until she was seventeen. So much for saturation. What if a church would have served her in some way?
(At the time of writing), I've just returned from a meeting with a non-profit ministry in town. The ministry is a parachurch organization with a clothing store, education classes, drug recovery groups, and a furniture store. Their mission is to help people meet Jesus and allow Him to restore their lives. I went there for the purpose of partnering with them to reach our community. Even though we disagree on some minutia, we agree on Christ. The ministry has been in town for about 3 years. And the sad thing: Only 3 (of about 30) churches in town have made an effort to determine what they could do to help.
...But whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Mark 10:44-45 (NRSV)
Lord, teach us to serve!
Jesus, king on his terms, not ours
11 hours ago
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In my Bible, it says that the call to become a Christian involves a RADICAL change. I wonder if our call to become a Christian is that kind of a call. I think all too often, our call is just "join the social club of the saved." The only cost we count is 10% of our income (after taxes, of course) and an hour on Sunday. Sounds like a pretty cheap plan of salvation to me! God, however, might have a different idea...
Your Bible is not alone Spherical! I think a RADICAL change is what happened to the Samaritan Woman, Zacchaeus, the Apostles, Saul/Paul, etc.
I wonder what Annanias and Sapphira would think of a the community becoming a social club.
Thanks for the thoughts!
Great Post Mike! I wholeheartedly agree with you. We have been asleep at the wheel. It's funny that for such a "Bible-loving" group of folks, we have somehow mananged to ignore God's care for the poor, evident throughout all of Scripture. The Prophets raked God's people over the coals for their oppression of the poor long before Jesus did. It's exciting to think what we could do if our communities of faith would gather together because of our positive faith in the promises of God!
PUMP is going through a two-year process called Partnership for a Missional Church. It has been an amazing experience so far. We are all wondering where God is going to lead us within our community. I recommend a book that I think you will enjoy called "We Are Here Now" by Patrick Keifert. It's not about technical fixes, but spiritual growth that leads to partnerships of hope.
Great post and God Bless your efforts in this direction, actually, I'm sure God will!
please do not be troubled with the numbers. many of the people that go to your chruch and the other 29 churches in your area are probably very giving people and give in ways that can not be counted by the church or the megachurch orginization.
you can talk to your congregation open and freely about your conserns for the poor and needy in your community and ask for ideas of ways to reach out. you can have an honest and open time with the people in your group and see if they know anyone in their life that needs special attention to get them through the holiday season or things like that.
everyone can share ideas in the service and have someone write them down...just like in any other meeting so that things can get organized. if you are inolved in the lives of the people of your flock and speak to them in truth and love, i think that they will respect your efforts in helping them to reach out to their neighbors.
people have to learn to be compassionate...we are not born that way and we easily forget if not encouraged to do so.
so in a very gentle, loving, patient and very persistent way...
encourage the daylights out of em.
and pray a lot.
:-)
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