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The Community Church
If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. [Romans 14:8]
Most of us have found transformative encounters with God inside our Churches. We have found Christ within the walls of our own Churches and have been challenged to become his disciples and to do his work. Our own Churches are a special place for many as we need a sacred sanctuary that separates us from the secular world. The Church building maintains a familiar environment where we worship with the same people each week and become quite comfortable with the praise service specific to our Christian denomination. I enjoy the Lutheran service, the structure, and the hymns and look forward to receiving Communion on Sunday (we give you thanks. Almighty God that you have refreshed us through the healing power of this gift of life). However the walls within our Church can become an end unto themselves.
Cornerstone Chapel Volunteers
A congregations resources can be exhausted maintaining the building, paid staff, day care, youth programs and overseas ministries and leave little time and money to support the missions in our local community. How can we find the time to touch the locally un-churched seeking Jesus in their lives? The un-churched are usually intimidated by the large church structure and do not feel welcome walking into a service unannounced. Even if invited, some have no transportation to get to the physical Church. We can easily forget the Church is not a structure but a congregation who exist to do Christ’s work. Does our spiritual life only happen within a building? When we go to church, we get turned on. When we leave church, we get turned off. Is this the routine at most Churches? Why go out into the world if Church only exists in the building in which we are a member?
A great component of the Church is to devote time and resources to ministry and outreach. Today how many Churches can direct 20% of their budget for outreach and ministry. I suppose not many. Without strong outreach we cannot discern God’s call as to how we might best share Jesus’ love within our community. Without strong outreach, how do we teach our children and youth about sharing God’s faithfulness and love? How can we assist our youth to know that God believes in them? We need to invest in our children by setting examples about how to network with other Churches, build partnerships in the neighborhood and share resources to address poverty, sickness and hopelessness in the local community.
Bethany United Methodist Volunteers
The early Christians did not require large buildings or elaborate sanctuaries to have meaningful encounters with Christ. Due to the lack of resources, they met in one another’s homes or in outdoor areas, shared meals, prayed in small groups, studied, listened and worshipped God together. They did not have a large fellowship hall, nor did they run a capitol campaign or have a great professional staff. Instead they focused on feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, caring for the sick, and hurt, abused, molested and loving the unloved. They shared the good news of the gospel with all whom they engaged. Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." [Mark 1:17] Their resources were not encumbered in maintaining a building and they could share freely with the community at large.
Reading through Scriptures, it is clear that Jesus consistently went to the Synagogue to teach. His ministry also spent much time in the streets and fields reaching out and teaching the un-churched. “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners”. [Mark 2:17] His ministry and outreach was out and among the people.
LINK Member - Sterling United Methodist Coat Distribution
Our focus should be on Jesus and teaching others to know Him. Each Church should budget and maintain resources to reach the lost with the eternal Gospel of Jesus Christ. The congregation should be mentored to do the work of the ministry and to build trusting relationships out in the community. “You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” [1 Peter 2:5] The congregation should expect and seek out spiritual multiplication. A healthy church will by its very nature, grow. Jesus said that it was His responsibility to build His church [Matt. 16:18]. The congregation is to invest our lives in others. “Now to God who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to God be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.” [Ephesians 3:20-21]
Although we live in a democracy and we know that we receive the government that we pray for, our true liberty is in Christ! The congregation is like a river and we flow wherever God desires. God uses the Church as He deems fit. We glorify God in our bodies and in everything that we set forth to do. May God give all of us the faith and determination to live the dream that is God’s Kingdom.
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