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Dennis M J Yerger
Dennis M J Yerger's blog
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Church and the Community
3 stars|6 comments|August 19, 2007|378 reads
 
I live in a city that has many problems, and I want to do something to improve the situation. I'm getting involved in a local organization that aims to do just that, and things look like they're off to a good start. One thing I've learned is that in order for change to take place the people must get involved. It is not just the government's responsibility. The question I want to ask is this: where does the church fit into all this? How much influence should it have in making changes in the community?

 
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zachary snow
 zachary snow
August 19, 2007
The church should be the influence in the community. The church (the body of Christ) should be out in the streets with the homeless, rescuing orphaned children, supporting widows, feeding the hungry, and generally helping those in need. In addition to that they should be a light in dark theological waters. The church should not sit back and say nothing about political and/or social issues, but they should show others what to do while doing it themselves. I'm not saying we should all be activists, but when the gospel is truly brought to the community, it cannot help but be changed.

God bless!
Zach
Dennis M J Yerger
 Dennis M J Yerger
August 21, 2007
When I think about where to start when it comes to change, the thing that comes to my mind is the household. Most of the problems in our society are a result of broken families. The family is the basis for civilization. Family values have been thrown out the window in favor of alternative lifestyles, and the result is a broken society full of broken individuals. Government can enact laws and employ special programs to bring about change, but true change won't happen until people change.
Jess Stuart
 Jess Stuart
August 21, 2007

Howdy Dennis,

This is an excellent question.  My brother's church does a lot of community outreach, but they us a lot of non preaching techniques.  For example, they rent a dumpster for a neighborhood, let everyone in the neighborhood know about it and who they are, and then just let people get rid of their stuff.  God's people meeting basic needs without ramming the Bible down people's throats.

What you describe seems to be the Church being involved with non Church organizations to help the community.  Since it's a joint effort involving non Christians, it shouldn't be religious.

Zach: I have to disagree with you on one point.  The Church should not be the influence in the community.  The Church should point to Christ being the influence in people's hearts.  I agree the Church should be out there helping everyone we can.  If we in the Church start thinking we are the one's who need to change society, we are letting Christ down (we're not relying on Him to do what He says He'll do), the community down (we're not pointing to the actual agent of change, which is Christ), and we're letting ourselves down (we're not living in the truth, because we didn't even change our own hearts). 

zachary snow
 zachary snow
August 21, 2007
Jess...I am in complete agreement with you. I did not mean to imply that it is we (the church) who are bringing about change. Christ demonstrates His love to other through us. It is not we who do it...it is Him.
Jess Stuart
 Jess Stuart
August 21, 2007
Zach, as I was clicking Submit, the thought went through my mind that I probably misunderstood something.
Dennis M J Yerger
 Dennis M J Yerger
August 21, 2007
You both make good points. I don't think Christians should get caught up in religion. To me, true Christianity is not a religion; it is a way of life, the way God intended. I believe that when we live Christianity instead of merely practice it, people will see the difference in us that God makes.
1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

What I think this scripture is talking about is spiritual life, not physical. Jesus gives us life the way it was meant to be lived, according to Spirit, not the flesh. When we live this way, we are able to be a light to those around us. But getting to Jess' point about not being religious, when we live according to the Spirit, we will see the needs of people instead of trying to force religion on them. This in turn will make a bigger impact on them than trying to act "holier than thou" because it shows that we really care about them.