This coming Sunday (6/27/10) my pastor, Tony Rose, at Lagrange Baptist Church will be preaching on the parable of the Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13-16). I am studying that passage this week in preparation to receive the word from him. In doing so, I am led to think about the nature and purpose of salt in the day of Christ and how that concept informs our understanding of what we are called to be, when we are called to be salt in this world.
Primarily, I think that a Christian or a church who is like salt in the world acts as a preserving or redemptive agent combating evil and promoting holiness in the lives of others. My question, what I want to have some dialogue over, is what does that look like in the life of the Church? If the Church is going to be an agent of redemptive change in the world, what does that look like?
My hope is that each of you reading this will take a moment to leave a comment giving your ideas, which may spark ideas for ministry in the Church. If you think of others who might weigh in on the question, please forward this to them asking them for their input. I don’t have a preconceived idea on what I think the answer is. I just really want to hear what you think.
Thanks.
As we prepare to gather together as the Church, let us consider this statement: "In the church, non-Christians should see the kind of unity and love that testifies to the truth and power of the gospel and God’s love." Thabiti M. Anyabwile wrote these words in reference to the words on Christ: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35 ESV)”
I would like to encourage you today to consider how your love for the Church reflects on your commitment to Christ and thereby influences the impact of your evangelistic efforts. If those you want to win to Christ and thus, into the Church do not see you loving those in the Church, why would they want to be in the Church that you do not seem to love.
Just think about that as you prepare to be with God’s people, your brothers and sisters in Christ.
I found this article to be very insightful. My question to the author was, can institutions become movements. That might clue you into the thesis of the post. It is worth the read and some contemplation. Let me know what questions or comments you give or thought about giving to the author.
Institutions and Movements | jamiewamsley.com.
