Are we really a church on a mission?

Recently at our local church the pastor asked the officers to learn and commit our mission statement to memory. The contents thereof makes you wonder why you don't see the spirit of our founding fathers today. They were mission minded and made every effort to empower our people by ministering to their needs.

I question how many of our churches feed the hungry on a regular basis? How many churches provide clothing, shelter, jobs? Are we making ourselves available to those who are less fortunate or do we choose to overlook them? What can we do to improve the quality of ministry in our church?

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2004

Answers

Tina, you are to be commended for thinking about the mission of the church. Your pastor is doing a wonderful thing to have the people committ it to memory. Now it is time to study to understand what that staatement means in the area where you are, and at this time. You should look for places where you can volunteer your time to help others. One area is the Nursing Homes. Many of our elderly are very lonely and would love regular visits from someone. If you would visit a Nursing Home in your area and ask the Staff if there is someone there who does not receive regular visits and then visit them each week; bring little inexpensive gifts and handmad cards; perhaps a group of you could adopt a Senior and help them. Thank you for your interest in mission and god bless. .

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2004

Sister Trina,

One thing that remains true about the church, the A.M.E. church included, is that the individual really can make a difference. Don't wait for some edict to come down from on high. They busy themselves with matters of far more gravity than the poor, the hungry, and the naked. Ministry begins in the pews not the pulpit. The pulpit is simply a reflection of the pew. Where the pew leads the pulpit will follow. Seek out those souls who are of like mind. Take up your shields and swords and couragously be about your Father's business. Blessings are from above and yours awaits claiming. Do not offend the pulpit, for it can be a dangerous and fierce adversary, but rather, subdue the pulpit with love for your neighbor, charity for the less fortunate, and integrity in your pursuit of the Lord's will. With all haste then, pour out your heart and be Blessed.

In Christ, In Love,

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2004

Rev Paris, Sis. Trina's interest is not in how to do mission work. I think her question was how many of our AME churches are doing the work of ministry in our communities, and the answer is, unfortunately, not many. It is a catch-22 because when you ask the pastors why aren't they involved in outreach, it is because there is a lack of money. Churches "lack money" because the people aren't coming and giving, and the reason why they aren't coming and giving is because they do not feel that our churches are "feeding them" and/or playing an integral part in outreach into our communities. I think that one of the first things we can to do improve the quality of ministry in our church is to stop "player-hating" (as the kids say) on those non-AME churches that have quality ministry programs. Instead of getting jealous of those churches, we should learn from them. We also need to listen to the people instead of putting them down. What are the needs of the people in the community? What are they looking for? And we should strive to meet those needs. It's not just about going to a nursing home. It's about an over-all, church mindset of ministry that extends beyond the Sunday morning Decalogue and official board meetings. God bless you.

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2004

Most of the AME Churches that I am involved with does have many ministries. Howevewr that may not be a good sample because I refuse to associate with negative churches.

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2004

Sister Jones,

I believe we are a church with a mission. Our mission is to Go into all the world and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. More churches could increase their efforts to fulfill Christ's great commission. However, be greatful that you belong to a church that takes the gospel seriously. When you are focusing on your ministry and the community of faith serving the needs of God's people it will set the bar for cutting edge ministry. Sis. Jasckson's comment was an overgeneralization that sounded as if it was voiced out of pain and disappointment. Sis. Jackson remember to encourage the positive and look for the good. Be careful that you don't spread a spirit of negativity for church members and communities of faith who are doing the work of the Lord. Pray for those churches that fall short of mark that God will send godly leadership to heal them and build them up instead of criticizing them continuing the cycle of pain and frustation. God Bless!

-- Anonymous, May 11, 2004

test

-- Anonymous, May 11, 2004

Dear Readers, I would like to first of all thank-you for your comments. The question was asked at our seminary, how many of our churches carry- out the mission of our church. As the future leaders of African Methodism, we must work dilegently to build a bridge between the church and our community to keep this great Zion alive.

I certainly agree with the response that said it goes beyond visiting the nursing home. We have been doing so for quite some time. But what about the person who has fallen on hard times and sees no way out. The one who had it all yesterday but today they are homeless, hungry, depressed and about to lose their mind. Are we extending our reach and stretching our steps to empower them?

Yes, we know the mission, but are we living it. The needs assessment idea is a great one. Recently, our class prepared a form for the community to complete. We must find out what the problems of the people are in the community that surrounds us. There are people we come in contact with on a daily basis that we fail to witness to.

Please do not take this in a negative way. It is meant to raise the conscienceness of our church. We researched the area of our school and discovered the only church that provides hot meals and shelter for our people is a white pastor & church. The neighborhood has approximately fifteen African American churches within a five mile radius. He is also helps them find employment and places all earnings into a savings account for them to secure their own house. Many of these men become members of his church.

It does take money for ministry, but above all it takes faith followed by an honest effort. The same God that provided for our founding father's vision will provide for ours. They did far more in regards to empowering our people with far less resources. We must learn to do the work despite of the obstacles that are before us.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2004

Dear Readers, I would like to first of all thank-you for your comments. The question was asked at our seminary, how many of our churches carry- out the mission of our church. As the future leaders of African Methodism, we must work dilegently to build a bridge between the church and our community to keep this great Zion alive.

I certainly agree with the response that said it goes beyond visiting the nursing home. We have been doing so for quite some time. But what about the person who has fallen on hard times and sees no way out. The one who had it all yesterday but today they are homeless, hungry, depressed and about to lose their mind. Are we extending our reach and stretching our steps to empower them?

Yes, we know the mission, but are we living it. The needs assessment idea is a great one. Recently, our class prepared a form for the community to complete. We must find out what the problems of the people are in the community that surrounds us. There are people we come in contact with on a daily basis that we fail to witness to.

Please do not take this in a negative way. It is meant to raise the conscienceness of our church. We researched the area of our school and discovered the only church that provides hot meals and shelter for our people is a white pastor & church. The neighborhood has approximately fifteen African American churches within a five mile radius. He also helps them find employment and places all earnings into a savings account for them to secure their own house. Many of these men become members of his church.

It does take money for ministry, but above all it takes faith followed by an honest effort. The same God that provided for our founding father's vision will provide for ours. They did far more in regards to empowering our people with far less resources. We must learn to do the work despite of the obstacles that are before us.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2004

Trina, You ask that we not take this in a negative way. It is negative! You are beating up on our churches without any data except the local data where you are now. My suggestion is to look within yourself and ask the greater questions: What has God called me to do about the situation where I am right now? Am I in the will of God when I accuse my brethern of not doing the work of ministry?

Not all are called to all things. The burden that you have is YOUR calling and YOUR priority, but that does not make it mine. I think God is calling YOU to do those things rather than berate other churches.

Be Blessed

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2004

Never Fear Sister Trina,

The rebuke you received is typical of those who are perishing. "Who does this man think he is? He violates the law; He foments dissention; He has followers and those that believe him; He speaks against the priests; He makes himself God. Blasphemy!" Sister you are neither the first nor the last who have been so admonished. "Check Yourself" they say.

When you hear it, know that it is the adversary that speaks. Take up your shield of faith and your sword of the Spirit, prepare to defend yourself and believe that victory is yours through Him who saves us. Fearlessly speak the truth and have confidence in the strength of your convictions. Do not be turned aside by those who would remake you in their image, but rather, STAND FIRM. We, who are led by the Spirit, are the natural enemies of those in our churches who have title and position and sincerely believe that though its not perfect, its good enough. Just for the record, I add my voice to those who say - ITS NOT GOOD ENOUGH and by the will of God it will BE BETTER.

"Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely." Luke 20:46-47

In Love, In Christ,

-- Anonymous, May 13, 2004

Brothers and sisters, Why when ever a question is asked we take offense? Maybe it's like my grandfather used to say "If you throw a brick into crowd of wild dogs, the one that gets hit will holler." I am proud to say that Sis. Jones and I attend the same seminary where said question was asked. So now back to the main question: Are we REALLY a church on a mission? Are we as a lay (and Pastors)following along with the mission of our Zion? Maybe I am confused, but if we are to belive and follow in line with God's Word, and with the mission statement written by our forefathers there should not be any problem with answering the question at hand. Moreover, if there are areas where we are lacking, let us pray that God would show us his will. I have read Comments like it's YOUR conviction, and the needs in YOUR area, but I want to ask this one question. Are we all not humans and have the same basic needs? And are the needs being met in your area?

-- Anonymous, May 16, 2004

1“Judge not, that you be not judged. 2For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.[Matthew 7:1-5 NKJV] AMEN

-- Anonymous, May 16, 2004

What does a Christian have to fear from Judgement? Are we not led by the Spirit and love our brothers? Make no mistake - you WILL BE JUDGED! But thank God for our Lord Jesus Christ who takes away our fear.

In Christ,

-- Anonymous, May 16, 2004

Ask Jesus if there is anything to fear. I just qouted the scriptures from the NKJV of the Bi9ble..

-- Anonymous, May 16, 2004

You asked about fear of judgement: Those were the words of Christ that I qouted. He did not say we were to fear judgement. He said that the standards that we judge others by would also be used to judge us. I think that is what he s said. But, you are right that we will all be judged. St Paul says, in 2 Corinthians 5:9-11, NKJV

"9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences."

Be Blessed

-- Anonymous, May 16, 2004

Rev. Paris,

I find that some who feel threatened by a critical observations of their brothers/sisters is Matt 7:1-5. Your usage of the passage struck me so. This Scripture is too often used with the implication that since no one is perfect, that no one should dare to cast a critical observation (judgement) at another - under any circumstances - for any reason. Obviously, nothing could be further from the truth and we know that the Scripture's intent didn't mean this at all. Surely, it is nothing sort of absurd for one to think that they will either not judge, or escape judgement - by the Lord or our brother. So the Scripture means to teach us humility and loving-kindness in our judgement so that we might judge rightly, not as the hypocrits do, but rather as those entrusted with the mysteries of Salvation and Redemption. Thus my question - "What does a Christian have to fear from Judgement?" The answer is nothing.

In Love, In Christ,

-- Anonymous, May 16, 2004

Rev Paris,

Let me say that again,

It seems to me that those threatened by critical observations of their brothers and sisters use the "Judge Not" Scripture wrongly. Is there no place for loving admonishment? Isn't there room for honest disagreement? Our congregations suffer and the Word is not served if doctrine is wishy-washy and obedience to the Word of truth is lukewarm. Agree?

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2004

Ron,

I did not say that. All I did was to qoute the Scripture without comment. JESUS said that. If you feel threatened, take it up with Him.

Be Blessed

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2004