~Purpose of the Church – Part 2~
Four weeks ago during worship, I asked those present to finish this prompt: The purpose of the church is… and my part in its…. In this Caller, I present the rest of those responses. There are some overarching themes: radical welcome, sharing God’s love in deed and word beyond our walls. There was also great variety among the responses. As you read through them, you may recognize yours. I hope all of you will continue to reflect on this and talk to other people inside and outside church about “the purpose of the church is….”
To love God, our neighbors, and ourselves, and to provide space, time, and grace to learn and grow in this; individually and together.
Be closer drawn to Jesus. Sanctuary – a safe place to worship. Be in community with others. Find friends in fellowship, support those suffering and in need. I find myself serving where needed.
The church gives me hope and a loving supportive community. Julie and Mike facilitate the programs of the church and share your spiritual knowledge with us.
To be open and hospitable to all. To reveal Christ to the community. To educate people about Christ. Be a force of social uplift and oppose evil.
Love. Love God. Love others. These things are incredibly difficult to do with authenticity, consistency, and broadly. If the church can do these things, the church carries onward the mission of Jesus. As part of the church, my commitment is to understand how to love God daily, authentically and in all areas of my life. THEN, I need to apply that to the people around me, specifically those I find most difficult to share it with. Love God. Love others.
To give voice to all who ask and seek out those that don’t. Re-center all with Christ.
To come together as community. To study and hear God’s word through sermons and classes. It is also, for many, a spiritual hospital where a person comes to be healed!
To offer a home and community to those who need a little faith. My place is to welcome those people with open arms and an open heart.
To be a place that all can call home and a place that all can learn together how they can reach out.
To provide a place where we can experience and grow God’s love as a part of a vibrant living and world loving community.
Proclaim the gospel of Jesus the Christ by being a community of care, support, action, study, worship, and prayer. I have been called to pray for others with head, heart, mind, spirit, feet, hands…..
To teach people about God and Jesus and show how to love each other. Be friend and hospitable to each other. To spread love to all the world.