Imitate me & Imitate my Church

'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,