Are we really being the church?
As the church, we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We are tasked with fulfilling the Great Commission to preach the Gospel, love, and serve the broken, hurting, and hopeless in the world. We have a responsibility to share the Word of God and ourselves with those around us. Jesus never said this would be an easy task or that it was for the faint at heart. God is deeply invested in our growth and transformation, and part of this involves being challenged and stretched. One of the ways this happens is by being his disciples, serving as His hands and voice in the world. One of the greatest ways we can do this is by reaching our neighbors, particularly those in need. This begins when the church is motivated to serve. Here are seven great ways to be the church and uniquely serve our communities.
Feed the Hungry
Millions around our nation and our world are living in food-insecure households. As the church, we can make a difference in the lives of those who need it the most. A great way we can accomplish this is by donating our time to a food bank or pantry. If you have extra canned goods, consider decluttering. Take any items that are unopened and unexpired to food donation piles. Your church may already have a food pantry ministry or have active food drives. Another great place to serve the hungry is in a soup kitchen, a local rescue mission, and delivering meals to sick and shut-ins. The holidays are a good time of year to support those who are lonely and in need.
Stay Engaged
It is often difficult for churches to truly be engaged in their communities, especially with so many things changing culturally. Many churches get too comfortable staying in their bubbles, interacting with the people they know in their communities, and not expanding or reaching to others outside of that comfortable circle. When we do this, we leave the communities we’re not located in out in the cold. Remember, we must serve those around us. Therefore, it’s so important that we stay engaged in what’s happening locally. If there’s an area that needs to be reached, the church should be the first to take up the task. Our presence should be recognized and felt in the communities we serve.
Participate in a Mission Trip
Mission trips are highly rewarding experiences, and every person should participate in at least one in their lifetime. Those who go on mission trips are in for a great personal journey. It is also an opportunity to serve those in communities where people are in great need. They are generally volunteer trips in other countries, generally developing countries, or in an impoverished city. While these trips are designed to help the less fortunate, they also allow us to see with our own eyes how difficult it is for those who don’t have the materials we often take for granted. We often go in thinking we’re simply serving a community in need, but we end up gaining so much more.
Spend Time With the Needy
Often, the home bound, the elderly, and those in assisted living are forgotten. A great way to serve the community is spending time with those in need, particularly those who don’t receive love from anyone else. As a church, consider helping an elderly member with grocery shopping or yard maintenance. Also, consider just talking with them on the phone. Many people who live in elderly care facilities have family members who live too far away to visit. Taking a visit to a nursing home and care facility will mean more to them than you will ever know and will touch your heart as well.
Identify Unreached or Underreached People in Your Community
Is there a population of people in your community that isn’t being reached by the church? Far too often, churches miss certain segments of the community. Sometimes these communities are in desperate need of ministry care or could benefit from services that your church already offers. If you have not connected with those in the community surrounding your church, now is the time. As a church, we should work at meeting the needs of the community.
Volunteer in a Mentorship or Tutoring Program
A great and creative way to volunteer your time as a church is to begin or pair up with a tutor or mentoring ministry. There are also established organizations that connect adults with children in need. Consider volunteering your time by reading books with young children. Reading books with children helps stimulate their imagination while also helping them understand the world. It can also help them develop language and listening skills. Many young and older youth could benefit from having a person of faith in their life, mentoring them, and helping them make important decisions in life.
Clean Up the Community
When we think about serving the community, we often think about physical interactions with people. Yet, sometimes engaging in the community can be as simple as cleaning up. If you live in an urban area, there is likely a need to pick up litter in the streets. These needs also exist in rural areas. You can also engage directly with the community by taking the time to go door-to-door to rake leaves in the fall, mow lawns in the summer, and shovel snow during the winter. This is an incredible gesture of love and goodwill that will warm the hearts of those you are assisting.
The importance of serving and encouraging others in the Lord is located directly in the Bible. There are countless examples of good stewardship and service, both in the Old and New Testament. Christ is one of the greatest examples of how to be a good servant to others. We can’t go wrong as a church if we rely on Jesus’ example and view Him as a model to encourage us to participate in our communities.
Good stewardship and service should be a major part of any Christ follower’s life, and that’s certainly true if you have some type of leadership role in the church. By earning an online Master of Theology from Campbellsville University, you can develop the knowledge and skills to thrive in that capacity. The degree offers three concentration areas in Biblical studies, pastoral leadership and theological studies. Campbellsville has been ranked as one of the most affordable among Christian colleges and universities in the United States, and no GRE is required unless your undergraduate GPA is below 3.0.
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