Earlier this week I posted an article that had to do with the church serving as a community to its members. In addition to its primary purpose of serving and worshipping God churches, too, should encourage social activity among its members to solidify the relationship that we enjoy as Christians.
However, everything mentioned above points inward. They are all things that focus solely on the needs of the local members of the church. But the mission of the church is not merely to focus attention inward. We have an immense responsibility to turn our attention outward, not only serving as a community but being a service to our communities (Matthew 28:18-20).
Every church is known for some reason among those in their communities. They may be known for their love. They may be known for their attempts to reach out to those in need. They may be known for their friendliness. They may be known for their evangelistic efforts. They may be known negatively for being condemningly judgmental. They may be known for their indifference. They might just be known for doing nothing.
I cannot over stress the importance for the Lord’s church to have a positive reputation in their local community. I’m not saying that a church should compromise truth or right in anyway to develop that positive reputation. But at the same time without the respect of a community there is little a church can do to reach that community.
You have to look at churches like the Jerusalem church who loved each other and their local community so much that when there was a number of people in significant need that those who “were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need” (Acts 4:34-35). Or what about the Philippian church whose good works must have been widely known (Philippians 1:6ff). These must have stood in stark contrast to the churches of Asia Minor who were generally known for anything and everything from sin to utter indifference (Revelation 2-3).
Essentially it all comes down to Jesus’ stated expectation for all Christians to “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). The church is expected to not only promote Christianity but to be Christians. That comes with the need to not only do what is right, but to do what is good. And through it all the Golden Rule must reign (Matthew 7:12).
I once heard the question asked, and it continues to ring in my ears, “If your congregation ceased to exist would the local community even notice or would they care?” If the church doesn’t put a conscientious effort into having a positive and purposeful presence in the community that will be a question more and more churches will be facing in reality!
-Andy Brewer