What's a Church to Do?

You know my purpose for this blog is to help individuals discover ways they can make a difference in the world. I believe we can all do something that will improve the lives of others. Unfortunately, sometimes the "something" I really want to do is to sit back and criticize the "someone" I think should be doing something, like the government or the church or someone other than me. But I don't think that's what God has in mind.

I was staying in a hotel over the last few days and so I received USA Today on Monday. An essay entitled "America's Churches Can Help Change the World" jumped out at me. In it, Oliver Thomas talks about the concept of "cultural captivity," which often causes churches (and their members) to follow the culture rather than Christ. It's so easy to fall into that, for the culture is comfortable. (if that's not a problem for you, I'd love to hear how you avoid it being so.)

Thomas goes on to talk about the way individual churches are making a difference in their communities, and that's great. Our church hosts Angel Food distribution, collects coats and shoes for a local clothing closet, and collects food for a food bank, a veterans home, and a pregnancy center.

But Thomas wonders if churches shouldn't be doing more together to make a difference in the big issues of justice and poverty in our day. Do you see your church, your denomination, partnering with other churches to bring about positive change in the world?

After you read Thomas's article, I would love to have you post a comment telling me what your church is doing—alone or collectively—to make the world a place that more closely reflects "thy kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven." Your comment may just spur someone else to get started, or provide a way to link up with another church that is fighting the same battle. Let me hear from you!