Power of Christian Community
I really urge you to scroll down yesterday's blog and see G-ampa C's response to my blog post of 5-22-06. Some of the best material I've ever read on Christian community, especially in the context of celebrating our Lord's death, resurrection and return through Holy Communion.
G-ampa C made me think of an initiative that we have going on here at the Christian Service Center. God has blessed us with a wonderful group of volunteers who interview our neighbors coming here for clothes, food, etc. (we call them "neighbors," not clients -- borrowing that term from Central Dallas Ministries). I'm urging these interviewers to do more than just "process orders," but instead to really minister to these people that God sends our way. We've been meeting as a team lately, discussing and praying about how we can help those who are able-bodied to seek work. And of course we're primarily interested in their souls. When we talk to them about Christ, many of them profess to be believers. However, so many of them are "lone ranger Christians" -- not deeply connected to a Christian community.
I want to do more than just say to these people "you need to go to church" or "here's a list of churches you could attend." Rather, I want us to help them consider how vital it is that Christ-followers live in community with other Christ-followers. Yes, that means attending worship times on Sundays to hear the word of God, worship Him and be with other believers in Christ. And yet I know that we need deeper connections with fellow Christians if we're going to grow more into His likeness. Those to whom we can confess, pray with, to be encouraged by and to encourage.
Please pray for us at the Christian Service Center as we strive to deeply minister to our neighbors, showing them the beauty of Christ, the power of the gospel and the joy of being an active and growing member of a community of faith.
Jim
posted by Jim Clark @ 9:11 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
How are you going to lead them to a church that will truly welcome them? If they have not bee church going for awhile, don't you think they are going to feel extremely intimidated to walk through the doors of a church that is obviously attended by upwardly mobile WASPS? With a few people of colour sprinkled in?
WIll they feel like 'Here come the projects?' when they really just want to worship?
And will your ministry be happy if these neighbours decided to visit or seek out a church that is not a Church of Christ? What is your ministry's ultimate expectations/conditions for these people in choosing the church of their choice if they decide to break with their own cultural, socio-economic group and attend a congregation that is out of their grasp?
What church options do you give them when they ask for a list of area churches? And then, how well will that church assimilate your neighbours into their fellowship? If things go south after 6 months of them attending, then what will your ministry do to help pick up the emotional pieces of these lives that have been hurt by their new church experience, assuming the church they choose does not treat them or view them like projects or tokens?
I know you guys do great work. I am so glad you are at the helm! Just wish I could be there to help out. :)
Excellent questions, Deb. Challenging, sobering questions that we at this ministry need to face. I want to share your thoughts with the board and our interviewers.
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