It is easy to fall victim to routines. They provide comfort, and so to walk outside of what is known as status-quo, is a path not so often taken. However, some people and organizations do take this path. They do this because they see the potential for a higher level of impact than the traditional method can provide them with. When it comes to churches, this is no different. Jesus touches on going the extra mile to find the one lost sheep out of a group of 100. Bay Presbyterian Church, near Cleveland, strives to do just that. They provide resources both in funding and in manpower to a community outreach center in the inner city, FMC. The FMC provides needed goods to the surrounding community and funding to families that can not make ends meet. The host camps in the summer for kids, which plant seeds of faith for them. One of BPC’s current pastors was once a kid in that camp, and because of that now serves in full-time ministry. In addition to this, BPC is planting a church in the inner-city, to show God’s love to everyone in the area and because instead of providing that funding to overseas missions, they see it as just as important to spread the Gospel to those who are just down the road. They feel that a local community growing in Christ will have a snow-ball effect on reaching more and more people in the area. They call this approach, ‘Being the bridge’. In other words, the Church should strive to bridge the gap that exists between the gospel and the community, as Christ commands us to do just that. It can be so easy to write a check and walk away, but when a church pours into the world around it, there is much additional fruit that can be produced.
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This is such a great post about a church striving to make a difference in their community! I especially love the summer camp aspect, as that is a ministry dear to my heart. It’s such an amazing way to touch the lives of kids, especially those in difficult situations. Thanks for sharing!
Too often churches are in communities, but the community couldn't care less. It's cool to read about a church that is doing everything they can to have an impact where God has placed them. Service is such a huge part of church ministry that so often gets overlooked.
I think you hit the nail on the head! I'm so grateful to hear that this church is consciously deciding to use their resources in the context that they are closest to so they can have the most impact, building relationships to people in near proximity instead of writing a check to send overseas. If every church took this call seriously, the world would have a very different understanding of Christianity. The church needs to wake up and answer the call to love our next door neighbors with everything that we have, including our money, time, and other gifts, to show them what Jesus is all about.
I love these points. It is unfortunate that the road less traveled is to write a check and forget about it and be content with that being your service. Christians are called to serve and that doesn't just mean writing a check. It means being fully engaged with people in your community and surrounding communities a and serving them in any way you can.