The scriptures tell us that the Church is special in the eyes of God. In fact, so special is the Church in the eyes and heart of God that it is called “The Bride of Christ”. God is intimately connected to the Church. In a world where we often see the failures of the Church advertised in spectacular fashion sometimes we can question why we need the Church.
In the book of Acts, chapter 2, we find a description of the Church which all too often is foreign to us in our modern era. In verses 42 and following we are offered a picture of the Church as it was intended to be. When the Church functions this way it, she, is the full expression of God’s redemptive love story for this world.
This truth, the tangible expression of God’s love for the world, brought to life in the proper functioning of the Church, is one we need in ever increasing measure. We are all too aware of the failings of the Church and of Church goers, but I wonder how many of us spend any time reflecting on the beauty of the Church when it is operating as God intended it to operate.
In order to offer us a glimpse of this encouraging reality, I am pasting an excerpt from a Pastor I know well. This is simply a brief description, a little glimpse, of the impact of one small community of faith in one area of the country. Take note of the breadth of this faith community’s reach in just the last three years, following Hurricane Katrina. Then consider that this is but one Church. If you do the math, and multiply this staggering amount of grace by untold multiples, you begin to see just how thankful we must be for God’s working in the heart of His people and in the life of the local church. Multiply similar efforts by untold thousands the world over and you begin to see how profound the impact of God’s Church is in the world. Truly, this is how God makes His love known in a world racked by pain and need. Here are the numbers from Trinity Church in Covington Louisiana alone:
Statistics
This ministry highlights list was recently put together for St. Tammany Parish officials as we try to secure a permit to build our Disaster Response Building and deal with zoning issues:
a) We have assisted almost 1000 residents of St. Tammany Parish alone in post Katrina clean up and reconstruction through the Compassion Ministry.
b) We have assisted another 1500 residents across the Lake and in surrounding Parishes.
c) We have served approximately 1500 additional residents of the Parish through the Trinity Cares Ministry, a food pantry for those with on going needs.
d) We have and plan to continue to supply the Parish Social Services and Storm Storehouse with donated goods and supplies that we receive.
e) We have and plan to continue to support the Elderly Protective Services by helping to meet needs of some of their clients in the community.
f) We now serve as a voting center for the Parish.
g) With the approval and assistance of the Parish in resolving these zoning issues, we plan to continue to help residents of St. Tammany.
h) We have directly invested over $1 million dollars into the local economy through the Compassion Ministry alone. We estimate at least another $2.5 million has been invested through local purchase of goods and services by the volunteers who have served here
i) We have facilitated thousands of volunteers coming to the region to help with the outreach efforts who have further invested into the local economy. They have contributed over 500,000 man-hours of donated labor, valued at over $10,000,000.
We thank God for over 13,000 volunteers from 42 states and 7 countries who have come to New Orleans with compassionate hearts and helpful hands.
Again, this is merely one incomplete glimpse of God at work in one Church, in a very brief window of time! Is it any wonder that the Church is often called “The hope of the world”? No government, religion, man-made program, political party, or any other force in the world as we know it can ever match the power of God’s people, living as He has called them to live, to effect the world for good.
Despite all its imperfections, failures, mis-steps, and shortcomings, the Church remains, indeed, the hope of the world. Are you burned out on “church”? Perhaps, you should give it another look. Perhaps, you need to find a faith community where God is actively involved and at work in the lives of His people. Read the book of Acts and see what the Church can be if you are dissatisfied with what it has been.
Are you looking for a bigger life? Do you want to pursue an endeavor larger than yourself? Wanna know that your life matters? Be the Church.
Give Him a shot,
Bruce Smith
optimuslife.org