Administrators Tom Wetmore Posted January 22, 2011 Administrators Posted January 22, 2011 He looks cool! I think I would like to meet this man! I just shook his hand and gave him a big hug a couple hours ago... Quote "Absurdity reigns and confusion makes it look good." "Sinless perfection is such a shallow goal." "I love God only as much as the person I love the least." *Forgiveness is always good news. And that is the gospel truth. (And finally, the ideas expressed above are solely my person views and not that of any organization with which I am associated.)
Woody Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 Quote: Our mission to reach the individual not the "community". Christ helped the individual therefore He helped the community (women at the well is a good example; there are many). Excellent point and something to ponder as we plan our church activities and outreach. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Overaged Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 The two questions raised in the piece were "What are we known for in our community?" Do we want to be known for our "community activism"? This in my opinion does nothing but takes from the individual and lead into corporatism. This is collectivism in its purest sense. Our mission to reach the individual not the "community". Christ helped the individual therefore He helped the community (women at the well is a good example; there are many). This approach is dangerous IMO. Quote "People [rarely] see...the bright light which is in the clouds..." (Job 37:21)"I cannot know why suddenly the stormshould rage so fiercely round me in it's wrathBut this I know: God watches all my pathAnd I can trust""God helps us to draw strength from the storm" - OveragedFaith makes things possible; it does not make them easy, Steps To Christ
GreatLakesGramma Posted January 23, 2011 Posted January 23, 2011 Community outreach is fine so long as you don't leave the one on one out of it. If someone comes to your church because of a community outreach, and they don't make friends there, they won't stick around long. Our church has done numerous depression recovery seminars and has had high attendance at them. Those who are involved are not just presenting the program, they are befriending the attendees, as much as possible. Some have come to church, and even been baptized. Some have not, but the members who have befriended them are still keeping in touch with them. Quote Catherine God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26. "To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you." -- C. S. Lewis
Moderators lazarus Posted January 24, 2011 Moderators Posted January 24, 2011 I really don't understand why some are so nervous about going into the community. If we read the gospels we clearly see Jesus moving into the community. He spent more time healing than preaching! The foundation of His ministry was the work he did in the community. IMHO, If you don't work in the community you are NOT doing his work. Quote Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. Einstein
BSW Posted January 24, 2011 Posted January 24, 2011 Quote: Originally Posted By: OveragedHow on earth can anyone "see Christ in you;" or anywhere near you when you say "I don't care one little bit about the community;" and then you quote the testimonies as if people are going to believe them after what you just said! Wow. Was thinking the same thing when I read his statement. Actually read it a few times to make sure I was reading it correctly. You make a very good point OA. Its by our actions that people see who we are. If we say that we have Christ in our lives than people are going to look at the things we do. I suppose I should have mentioned that the "I don't care one little bit about the community" comment ment spiritually. Oh wait I did - "disinterested benevolence". If one would look into the meaning of this, one would see that it is always (as far as I could find) regarding spiritual identity. Perhaps you didn't know. Quote
BSW Posted January 24, 2011 Posted January 24, 2011 Quote: Well, the last church I was in was heavily involved in "community activism" That church had the nerve to minister to "the community" through a van ministry, where we gave food and clothes to large groups [not individuals] of people once a week. Few of them cared about the "Christ in you" business or the spirit of prophecy stuff. The only thing they could see were warm hands and good food on a cold winter night. Religion/truth or whatever you want to call it is only found "in us" as we go out amongst "them," meaning the community at large. Jesus did this all the time, sometimes one on one, sometimes to the entire community. I do not look at "community activism" the same as "ministering to the community. Not even close (to me). Quote
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