Smoke from a fire rises in the distance miles from Santa Fe, New Mexico, Friday, July 1, 2011.
Photo Barb Harwood
One of the thoughtless comments I try to call people on when they say it is, "The Church isn't doing anything." I like to ask people how they know, out of all the churches in this world, that none of those churches are "doing anything." You would have to go into each and every church and get to know each and every person to find out how they are serving. Many people in the congregation may not be involved with a program inside their church. But as Christians, they may serve in other organizations like the Red Cross or Salvation Army. Many are hospice volunteers, care for aging parents or a disabled relative, or visit the incarcerated. Many are at-home moms who have chosen to home-school their children. Every parent raising a child in the Christian faith is "doing something;" in fact, I believe the Biblical training up of our children is our first call when it comes to serving God.
So to help counter this negative attitude toward The Church that I believe comes from a pride of feeling superior to The Church, I will occasionally highlight some of the things Christians and "The Church" are doing in the world. Will it ever be enough? Of course there's always more to be done, and more people are always welcome to become involved. But consider for a moment: If all the Christians across the globe stopped their outreach and ministries, who would fill the void?
Maybe the people who are constantly harping that "The Church isn't doing anything" could find something to do and do it, and stop worrying about what everybody else is, or isn't, doing.
Read here how The Church is helping the firefighters and evacuees of communities affected by the fires in New Mexico:
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." Romans 12:9-13
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