An easy audience, preaching to the choir...

[desi]

There seems to be a trend in ministry to want to find a Godly congregation and take over 'steering the ship' in the right direction. There seems to be zero interest in going out to the bars, brothels, and abandoned buildings where the heroin and crack addicts get their fix. Where Satan reigns over the lives of the despondent. Where are Christian leaders for those in need?

 

[Abiel]

Try the Salvation Army.

 

[desi]

Try the Salvation Army.

Is that where you work?

 

[Abiel]

Yup.

 

[clonenomore]

There seems to be a trend in ministry to want to find a Godly congregation and take over 'steering the ship' in the right direction. There seems to be zero interest in going out to the bars, brothels, and abandoned buildings where the heroin and crack addicts get their fix. Where Satan reigns over the lives of the despondent. Where are Christian leaders for those in need?

AMEN, brother! I agree. This topic is heavy on me right now. God has called me to plant a church to minister to the non-churched. This type of church plant is tough.

I read a book by Aubrey Malphurs, and he said that we are a 2nd and 3rd generation unchurched society. What he meant was that when I was growing up, there was that expectation that we be in church on Sunday morning. Now, that expectation is not there. What this means is that we can't open the church doors, and say, "Come on in!" Because they won't be there. They'll be in bed, on the tennis courts, at a restarant, etc.

We have to go meet them where they are. We have to leave our "safe" sanctuaries, and we have to go out into the sick and dying world. Jesus didn't hang out with the religious leaders, He hung out with those that needed His healing; the lepers, the tax collectors, the prostitutes, etc. How can we do less?

Also, I think that many churches try to grow by getting members from other churches. Why should I raid another pasture? I need to go out into the wild to get the lost sheep.

Additionally, Abiel, I think that the Salvation Army is an organization that does this well. Keep up the good work for the Kingdom!

 

[desi]

Its good to know there are some here who go after the wayward among us instead of moderating petty grudges in divided chruches. Bless you both in your work as it is in concert with Jesus's call to his apostles.

 

[Abiel]

Its good to know there are some here who go after the wayward among us instead of moderating petty grudges in divided chruches. Bless you both in your work as it is in concert with Jesus's call to his apostles.

But any of us can do something. A lot of the work we do is among very lonely elderly people. Most of us have neighbours- among them are people who have very little human contact. A christmas card is a first point of contact- follow through! An individual may not feel brave enough to 'storm the forts of darkness' (old army song!), but as we walk along city streets, we might see a person who has problems. Eye contact and a smile. And lots of prayer. it is a great comfort to those working on the front line to know that they are being prayed for. We have a huge 'grey army' of the elderly praying for our protection as we venture forth.

Not every Christian is brave, but every Christian can pray for those who are working in difficult circumstances, and if resources allow, can financially support such work.

 

[clonenomore]

But any of us can do something. A lot of the work we do is among very lonely elderly people. Most of us have neighbours- among them are people who have very little human contact. A christmas card is a first point of contact- follow through! An individual may not feel brave enough to 'storm the forts of darkness' (old army song!), but as we walk along city streets, we might see a person who has problems. Eye contact and a smile. And lots of prayer. it is a great comfort to those working on the front line to know that they are being prayed for. We have a huge 'grey army' of the elderly praying for our protection as we venture forth.

Not every Christian is brave, but every Christian can pray for those who are working in difficult circumstances, and if resources allow, can financially support such work.

All I can say is: AMEN!

Jesus said to give it all, and follow Him. Sometimes we forget that. I am guilty of driving past a homeless man at an intersection holding a sign that says, "Hungry. Please Help" and thinking, "Get a job!" I don't know what this person's circumstances are. He might be a true victim of circumstance. He might be an angel, and here I am thinking those thoughts.

As you said, Abiel, everyone needs human contact. Sometimes, just a smile and a pleasant "Hello" are enough. Other times, we need to give up our coat to the homeless guy out in the cold, when we are sitting in our heated car.

Sorry, didn't mean to ramble. This just hit kinda close to the heart for me...

 

[Macrina]

Abiel, thank you for your insightful post. It is true that opportunities for ministry are all around us! May God continue to bless your service in the Salvation Army.

As for what form ministry takes, I am a pastor of a church because I believe I am called to this place at this time. I didn't go looking for the easy ministry, I went looking for the specific ministry God had for me. As shepherd to my little flock, I believe I am pursuing the call in a couple of ways:

1) I am training people to do ministry of their own. I try to encourage people to see themselves as ministers and to look at the world through the Lord's eyes. This is not always easy, as people would rather be reassured than challenged. But the church consists of those people who are salt and light in our world, and some of us, I believe, are called to work for the faithfulness, edification, and inspiration of those disciples.

2) I am working, in my own small way, to deepen the discipleship of churchgoers, to recall the church to our mission and purpose... to point the way towards the Savior. So many people go to church for social reasons and are missing out on the depth that is present in the spiritual life. The church in general has a tendency to drift towards worldliness, bickering, easy comfort, and pride. I am only one person, but I see myself as standing within the church reminding people who and what we are called to be -- for if the church won't be the Body of Christ, who will?

 

[clonenomore]

I am only one person, but I see myself as standing within the church reminding people who and what we are called to be -- for if the church won't be the Body of Christ, who will?

Amen, Macrina. As usual, you say what I am thinking much better that I can.

 

[Macrina]

Amen, Macrina. As usual, you say what I am thinking much better that I can.

aww, shucks.

 

[Abiel]

Certainly the gospel is for all. My church has a specific mission, and yet each Sunday allsorts come to worship, rich and poor alike, all are in need of the saving gospel of Christ. And behind many socially acceptable facades, there is pain and emptiness that Jesus wants to touch.