6/5/2008

PASTORAL PONDERINGS

 

As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.  John 17:18

 

Dear Friends,

 

I am going over the 5 purposes of the church according to Rick Warren.  The fifth purpose is ministry.  I would describe ministry as service to the world.  The primary way in which we can serve the world is to share the Gospel of salvation with those around us.  But there are other ways we minister.  As we get into the world, we see that many people have urgent needs.  As Christians we are called to seek to meet these needs, be they hunger or healing or education.  About 125 years ago, it was in vogue to build churches as stone fortresses to shield the congregation against the world.  Here at Reformation, we deliberately have a great deal of glass to allow us to look out into the world and for the world to have the opportunity to look into us.  This is ministry as well.