'What
can I learn from your Church? How does it equip to be a vibrant member who exemplify
Christ’s love? What does your Church model? What special trait is visible
and spoken of? What mechanism or protocol your Church follows to handle tough
situation from within and without? These are some question that needs to
have answers unhesitatingly.
Paul
in 1 Corinthians 11:1 says "Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ."
Let me ask you, to what extent are you confident enough to tell your kids,
spouse, family members, church congregation to just follow you and be sure
to make it up to eternity? I personally struggle to answer this question. Paul
takes it further by asking the people to be imitators of the Churches in
Judea. "For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s
churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea....". 1
Thessalonians 2:14 How influencing you exist as an individual
and Church and how you are spoken of and remembered matters a lot.
There can be a possibility of false allegations against you and your Church,
which you would be definitely in a position to defend. We hear about
scandals at all levels. Some of the famous people and Churches who were in
limelight are today exposed. I don't mean to judge anyone. I believe it is
between that person and God but my point is how are we demonstrating the love
of Christ as Individuals and Churches. Most of the time Christians want to be
satisfied with themselves and their spirituality, that's a sad state of
affairs. God expressed His concern too with such group. It says in Hosea
10:1 ” Israel is a luxuriant vine; He produces fruit for himself.
The more his fruit, The more altars he made;..... "
The
point I want to emphasize here is that qualifying Churches are not just
confined to big numbers (by the way big numbers do not mark the success of a
Church). Unfortunately, people are attracted to numbers rather than its values,
which they can imitate. Aubrey Sequeira in the journal book
"9marks Journal Fall 2015" quotes 'Numbers are the order of the
day in every sphere of life, and the drive for impressive numbers has found its
way into the church and the church’s mission, both in the West, and—as a result
of Western influence—in India. Most mission’s buzzwords are in some way colored
by the notion of numerical efficiency: “rapid,” “multiplication,” “strategy,”
“growth.” A sinful craze for bigger and better numbers has
tainted both indigenous ministries and the work of Western
missionaries in India.'. Can we reposition ourselves and our Church so that it
enhances, active spiritual fellowship, mission, care for the needy and then be
in a position to be imitated and remembered?
I
desire to remind us all of the early missionaries, whose sacrifice, dedication
and work keeps influencing us though they are long gone. I am fascinated by the
early missionaries who were not angels but just ordinary human beings like us
but created immense impact as individuals. As Churches we are one of the
largest group of volunteers with potential to impact our congregation and
community for good. How well the leadership ignites the group/ congregation to
be an immense blessing in our Church and in our societies? Here are few
missionaries I wish to list;
Amy
Carmichael: (1867–1951)
was a Protestant Christian missionary in India, who opened an
orphanage and founded a mission in Dohnavur (southern India). She served
in India for 55 years without furlough and wrote many books about the
missionary work there. Amy Carmichael, helper of India’s underprivileged
children. saved many children from prostitution through the establishment
of the Dohnavur Fellowship, which still exists today.
William Carey’s contribution as a social
reformer in India is unforgettable. He pioneered the movement that led to the
abolition of the inhuman practice of Sati. He relentlessly fought against other
social evils such as infanticide and caste system.
David
Livingstone (1813-1873) was a Scottish physician and
possibly the greatest of all African missionaries, explorers, and antislavery
advocates.
In
1958, David Wilkerson (1931-2011) felt the call to leave his
rural Pennsylvania upbringing and share the hope of the gospel with gang
members and drug addicts in New York City. This 1963 bestseller (50 million
copies) recounts the story of Nicky Cruz, who turned from gang life to Christ
and Christian ministry. Wilkerson is known as founder of Teen Challenge, an
addiction recovery program.
Martin
Luther King Jr
(1929–1968) lived and died to see society transformed. In 1964, he became the
youngest person ever to receive the Nobel Peace Prize – for his work to end
social segregation and discrimination.
I
know we all can name more. The amazing fact is that these people who impacted
Christianity did not limit themselves to establishing one Church and enjoying
the fellowship within the four walls. Church fellowship was inclusive to the
vision they had and all three elements that I insist through SHEFA and
call it Holistic Church approach (fellowship
of the believers, Biblical mandate & social dimension) radiated through
their lives and it is worth imitating them.
Blessings,
