Remembering who we are

Many churches across the country have outreach ministries for those outside the walls of their churches that are in some kind of need. The percent of the church members that get involved in such ministry varies from place to place. It is a good thing for all churches and all their members to regularly evaluate just what is being done for those in need.

Another area of getting outside our church walls involves being in community with others around us. We are not alone in the world and need to get to know and understand others. When we work together in our communities, good fruit is produced for all.

Worship in our churches is a key to our getting closer to God and seeking Him in the positives and negatives of our lives and those lives around us. My friend Charles Hart sends me a spiritual quote each day by email. It’s a daily publication of famous quotes he subscribes to. A recent quote got my attention regarding reaching out in many ways.

The quote was by American writer Madeleine L’Engle and goes like this: “Sometimes the very walls of our churches separate us from God and each other. In our various naves and sanctuaries we are safely separated from those outside, from other denominations, other religions, separated from the poor, the ugly, the dying.… The house of God is not a safe place. It is a cross where time and eternity meet, and where we are – or should be – challenged to live more vulnerably, more interdependently.”

Outreach from our churches is not a way to get new members. If outreach produces new members for us, it is God’s Will working in and through us, not something we are seeking to keep score by. No scorecard is needed in outreach ministry.

Our Worship time in our churches should inspire us to get outside the walls of our churches and put God’s Word to good use through our actions. We must mirror the work of Jesus as He sought to be among the people, especially those in need.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the “busy work” within our churches.  This keeps the physical church in good shape, but takes time away from God’s work needed outside our church walls. As in most outreach ministry, we get as much of a blessing as those to whom we are ministering.

In doing outreach in groups from our church, we become more bonded as a Christian Community. The “hands on” experience of outreach ministry gives us a better understanding of our fellow men, women & children and what they go through in their lives in trying to live in peace and security.

In many ministries I’ve been involved in, comments from those being ministered to have been surprising. Many have said, “This is the first time in my life I’ve felt loved.”  Others have said, “While I appreciate gifts of food and supplies, the gift of your willingness to be with me and get to know me is the most joyful gift.”

Sharing the Gospel together, with those we reach out to, is done through God’s leadership as to how and when this is important to do. There are specific types of outreach that include things like “Bible Study’, and engaging folks in conversation about life can lead to some good spiritual sharing. All in all, our outreach ministry turns out to be “fun for all”.

A good friend of mine sometimes refers to the “many flavors” of Christianity. That is, we have many denominations of Christianity, each having its unique way of worship and outreach ministry. Within our Christian Community of churches, it is always a joy to reach out together. Prison Ministry is my best experience of seeing this work with an ecumenical effort to love and help others--many denominations serving God together in love.