Local Church and Your Community
I was driving through some back roads in Greenville the other day, and noticed that there were some of those “Adopt a Highway” signs scattered around. One of the most encouraging things to see on these signs is when it says that the particular piece of road you are driving on is being kept clean by a church’s youth group.
I think churches, especially youth groups, need understand the importance of working in the community for no other reason than to help. No rewards, no prizes, just doing it because it’s a good thing to do.
And there are plenty of things like this that churches can do to help out in the community. Volunteering at a soup kitchen (or running one), food drives, offering help to pregnant teens (without condemnation), etc.
I think that in our economy of “we’re right, everyone else can fall in line or go to hell”, it’s become far too uncommon to see churches doing good things just for the sake of doing good things.
I’m always encouraged to see churches that have taken up the task of making a tangible difference in the community. But even more than that, I’m encouraged by churches that use their time to make a spiritual impact on their community. Leading by example, reaching young people, ministering to the poor and needy — local churches are not country clubs. If you happen to be a church in the middle of a hispanic area, you can probably be sure that God didn’t call you to reach the rich white neighborhood 20 miles away! (that may have just hit home for some of you).
Do what your called to do, WHERE you’re called to do it. If you’re in a college town, you should probably be reaching the college students. If you’re in a city, you should be reaching businessmen. If you’re in a small town, they are your mission.
Yes, you have a much bigger mission than you think, and you should embrace it. We are called to reach our communities, in more ways than one.
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I am still depressed over not having a local church.
What did Jesus say about “what you do for the least of these”?
I was raised in a church that ran a clothing outreach and a food outreach. Many of my Saturdays as a young boy was spent carrying free groceries to people’s cars or sorting piles of clothes. I hated it with a passion, but my Dad never gave me a choice in the matter.
When I got a little older it became something I enjoyed. It felt like the church was being the church that God intended when I would do those things. The opportunities for prayer and encouragement with people who would never come to a church abounded.
Isn’t this what Jesus did? He didn’t ignore the blind man’s blindness, but healed him and then saved his soul. He met both his physical and spiritual needs. You can see that pattern in His ministry over and over.
Nathan, I propose we encourage Guy about his local church sadness. Maybe a sign on you blog that reads: “This blog adopted by Guy R Vestal & Family”. Though you’ll have to agree to be a better Calvinist…
The Isaiah 58 message is one that’s often entirely overlooked by professing “Christians” these days and its encouraging to hear about people who are starting to take it up and deal their bread to the hungry, care for the poor, and clothe those in need.
Doing something simply because its the right thing to do is an excellent place to start
.
- @Guy: *shakes hand*.. Nice to meet you
. Why no local church?
Live in very rural area, lost vehicle to perm breakdown, Pastor of our church 12 miles away had a problem with “Political Correctness”, He put the small fellowship survival before the Word of God, and Him and I disagreed on the “internet” being a place where God would minister to people. Small town church with small town ambitions, very clique oriented, backbiting, etc…
I am willing to work with Nathan on his “soverignty” issues.
Just step a little closer Nathan so I can hit you up side the head with my “Institutes”… 
Sorry guys, I doubt you’ll be convincing me any time soon to convert to Calvin
Good luck trying though
@Guy – Ahh yes :\. One of the saddest things to see is a small church in a small town celebrating it’s 100th+ anniversary. Its as if they’re completely content to be sitting there, growing old, while there are still people in their community who’ve never heard the gospel.
For someone a bit less in the know, brother Guy, what are your “Institutes”?
@Nathan – *grins*.. Thankfully, it’s not our responsibility as human beings to “convert” one another but rather to preach the truth and let God do the convicting and the converting. Otherwise, well.. that’s how “holy wars” begin. Two guys kill each other, each trying to “convert” the other. Hmm..
Guy, don’t take my tongue-in-cheek remark earlier as a sign I take it lightly… (I don’t think you did, just making sure)
All the stats in recent years indicate that the church in America is declining while the church elsewhere is busting at the seams.
I think Jonathan’s point is precisely the reason.
Churches are literally dying out. They slowly move the congregation from the pews to the 100 year old graveyard in the back lot. The dead are not replaced with new converts and eventually no one is left but a building. There are 2 churches that I drive by each day that are empty (one is now a museum!) and stand as monuments to dead churches everywhere.
“The Institutes Of The Christian Religion” by John Calvin. A good book, not as good as the Bible, but worth the read! (A thick book too. hahahaha)
Is that a challenge? Can we really try?
Naaaa… I needed the laugh at that time. Well played Ben.
Yes indeed they are, I see them also. here in New England, and in the big cities I have lived in.
What is the answer to stop the dying though? Can they be brought back to life? Should they?
I think whether or not a church can be revived depends largely on the people in it. If the people are willing to make radical changes, then it can be done.
Otherwise, I think often the answer is to replant the church. Close it down, sell the assets, etc. Wait a period of time and plant a new church with a new pastor.
It seems to me that if the people of the church aren’t willing to change the situation, then no amount of coaxing from any leader will make a difference.
There’s a great book that’s been around for a while called “Leading Turnaround Churches” that deals with this subject. Written by Gene Wood. I recommend it.
http://www.leading-turnaround.org/
WARNING: His website is pretty goofy, but the book is still good…