Sep
5
Written by:
Rev. Ed Boon
9/5/2008 8:17 PM
It has been correctly pointed out that our job isn’t to build the church. We’re supposed to BE the church, and build the kingdom. The best expression of the church is NOT what happens on Sunday morning. It’s what happens in the world during the week. And that’s not something you can market.”
NOW GO AND DO THE SAME
“Welcome to Church”! You are the client, and we will provide you with as many individualized choices as possible. At this church you can choose the worship setting that fits your personal taste…(traditional, contemporary, country, or gothic). Simultaneously, Grandma can sing her hymns; Mom and Dad can enjoy coffee and bagels in the worship café… while the teens lose their hearing in a Rock venue. Our Pastor is gifted at passing out spiritual goods for you to choose from based on your preferences. “You don’t like this message? Well, maybe you can skip a few weeks until you find one that fits your needs!” What’s important is not whether you’re growing or not. What is important is that you’re satisfied! After-all you are our customer and we know that an ‘unhappy customer’ will go to another church if they don’t get what they want. We do our best to please.
I am of course being facetious. But I wonder how many reading this actually picked that up. Many no doubt feel that is the way it should be. Why is this? One reason, I think, is because, as Christians, we start out with the habit of receiving – not giving love. We received His love. THEN, from the beginning of a person’s decision for Christ, the Church does everything for the new believer.
1. We baptize them
2. Sing them a special song
3. We hug them and make over them - they are the center of attention
4. We teach them
5. Counsel them
6. Hold their hand
New believers receive and receive, and receive until it becomes the natural order for them. They begin to think that this is the way it ought to be. Therein lays the makings of a trap for some. They begin to think of the service they’ve received from others in church as a RIGHT.
It has been correctly pointed out that our job isn’t to build the church. We’re supposed to BE the church, and build the kingdom. The best expression of the church is NOT what happens on Sunday morning. It’s what happens in the world during the week. And that’s not something you can market.”
In Luke 10:25 and following we find the familiar story of the Good Samaritan which is told in response to a question asked of Jesus by a Jewish expert in the Law of Moses. In verse 25 he asks, “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus responds with a question: “You know the law, what does it say?” In verse twenty-seven the man answers Jesus, "… You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and "your neighbor as yourself."’ Jesus asks the question; the man gives the answer and then Jesus responds by saying, “Good answer, now do it.” What Jesus is saying is “If you really believe, let me see it in action.” As He says in Mt. 5:15 “ Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Did you catch the significance of that statement from Jesus? Jesus is telling us that our job isn’t just to build bigger churches, but to make Him irresistible! According to Jesus, our job is to do so much good in our communities that they don’t know what they’d do without us! Contrary to popular opinion we have been placed in this world not to be served, but to serve.
The good news is that this summer a number from our church have taken this commandment to heart and have made a commitment to reach out and serve. As they serve we need to support them in every way possible. Four of our young people have taken part in mission trips. Liz and Matt Garland went way up near the Arctic Circle to Nimaska, Quebec to help with a youth camp on a Cree Indian reservation. Hanna and Joanna Veit went with Youth With A Mission to do evangelism in Portland, and Lewiston Maine and Montreal, Canada.
In addition twenty-five others from the church are heading to Jenkins, Kentucky for a multiple ministry. There will be a construction team rebuilding a house, a quilting team supplying quilts to needy families and an evangelistic team performing in various locations.
The two youth teams have already returned with great reports of people coming to the Lord. The Kentucky team will be gone from August 9-16. Please be in prayer for this team. Pray that the Lord will protect as they travel. Please pray also that the Lord will prepare the way for the ministry in Jenkins. Pray that many lives will be touched by the team ministry and that the team members themselves will be blessed as they fulfill the Lords command to be salt and light by putting their faith into action.