On Meeting the Needs of the Community

Much has been written in other places about the importance of the Church and its congregations meeting the needs of the community.  Indeed, ministries like coat banks, food pantries, after school youth centers, preschools, recovery groups and so on help meet the needs of the community.  But there is another way to look at what the community needs from the Church.

The COMMUNITY needs US to read our Bible. 

While I have emphasized the importance of Bible reading for personal spiritual growth previously (and there is no surer pathway), the community needs us to read our Bible.  If Christians are going to be witnesses in the community, then we need to be sure witnesses of truth—and that comes from knowing the Word. 

The COMMUNITY needs us to pray– a lot.

One of the greatest powers that the Church has is its direct access to the throne of Grace. The Church should regularly and aggressively be praying for its community:

• Public safety and health workers
• Educators
• The poor and needy
• Government officials
• The unemployed and the underemployed

All of these have special challenges which we can take straight to the God of all creation!  Prayer is a work that we must do for our community.

The COMMUNITY needs us to tithe plus.

Generally people think that tithing is to meet the “needs” of the Church.  Not so!

Tithing forces Christians to be reliant God and not be money oriented.  The community needs to see Christians trusting in God instead of money.  That will give them hope in troubled economic times.  They will see there is another way.

Tithing will keep the Church from acting like merchandisers, non-profits and beggars.  Instead of being receivers, we will have resources to GIVE to the community!

The COMMUNITY needs us to quit talking like Rush Limbaugh and Bill Maher.

The political conversation and tone in our land is:

• Cynical
• Sarcastic
• Caustic
• Bombastic

It doesn’t help the community if the Church speaks with the same kind of voice!

The COMMUNITY needs us to quit expecting non-Christian people to behave Biblically.

Of course the Church grieves at the coarse, immoral and unhealthy behavior of so many in our society.  But we have to be careful about how we react.

Imagine coming across a terrible automobile accident.  If you react with shock and horror at what you see, you will be of little help to the people in need.  The Church should calm down, take a breath, and then gently share with individuals who may be far from Christ, that there is a God who loves them in spite of their behavior (just as he does us!). 

And while we are, let’s make sure that we turn off all scorn or mockery.  It is not funny for Christians to make fun of others.  It makes it hard for the community to hear our message of love.

The COMMUNITY needs US to behave Biblically.

While we should not expect non-Christians to live like Christians, the community needs to see US living as Christians.  Jesus saved his harshest words for those who knew better!

As you know, non-Christians in the community have a hard time hearing our message when they see our words not matching our actions.  Early Christians were a draw to others because they were distinctively different people.

The COMMUNITY needs us to love its children.

The Government can’t. 

Too many parents are unable or won’t.

Jesus does. 

So should we.

The COMMUNITY needs us to be in proximity.

Make sure that you are engaged with neighbors and fellow workers.  Coach little league.  Participate in a community endeavor.  Hang out with friends at a coffee shop.  Engage strangers.

Practice unchurchmanship:  connecting with people outside of the Church community to share through words and deeds the love of Jesus.

This is the point of the book “Just Walk Across the Room.”

The COMMUNITY needs us to love each other in the Church.

Our congregations always need to have reputations of being havens of peace and joy.  Unbelievers get confused about discord between believers.

What the community needs above all things from the Church is for the Church to be the Church.