Pursuing Social Responsibility
Giving Back

1. A Bigger Picture?
The power of the Gospel to transform individual lives has been clearly evident since N. T. times. But what about the darkness and poverty that enslaves entire cultures and nations? Have Christians underestimated the power of God’s truth to transform entire societies? We must discover that Christianity is more than a private belief, more than a personal salvation experience. It is a comprehensive life system that addresses all of humanities needs and desires. Jesus is the Joy of the whole earth. The (entire) earth is to be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord. Jesus is the Lord of ALL creation.

2. Personally Responsible….Socially Irresponsible?
As Christians, God has put us in a very real world with brokenness everywhere. Worldwide 35,000 children under the age of 5 die every day because of malnutrition and starvation. One billion people live on less than 25 cents a day. This happens while North America and Europe spend $37 billion a year on pet food and cosmetics.

We get overwhelmed by all the challenges being posed to us by the society that surrounds us. Many times, the church has opted for an abandonment-mentality just waiting to escape to heaven. As much as heaven is a reality, can we ignore our responsibility while here on earth? For too long the church has not taken up its responsibility. But…this is changing as we are beginning to understand that Jesus has… “sent us into the world” Jn. 17:15-17.

3. Lord of All Creation
There is a growing awareness today in the church world that we have to think differently about our view of church ministry. The prayer of New Life echoes that awareness. If we want to be the salt and light as we the church were created to be, we will have to change and do something different. We have to rethink and redefine our ministry. Is it salvation only? Is ministry inside the church walls only? Are we called to make a difference in the community? Can we have a ministry and career at the same time? Do we have a social obligation to our communities?

Genuine Christianity is a way of seeing and comprehending all reality. Christ is the focal point of the whole cosmos. Everything that exists came into being at His command and is therefore subject to Him, finding it’s meaning in Him. When we truly grasp this, we are compelled to see that the Christian faith cannot be limited to only one component of our lives, a mere religious practice or observance, or even a salvation experience. We are compelled to see Christianity as the all-encompassing truth, the ultimate reality. We proclaim the gospel, teach nations to obey what Christ commanded, and provide practical demonstrations of Christ’s love and involvement in neighborhoods, communities, cities and nations.

4. “He Has Shown Thee”
Micah saw a new reality of Jerusalem. He was raised up by God to speak God’s word in Jerusalem. He spoke as a peasant among peasants, whom were exploited in Jerusalem. In such a context Micah cries out in Chapter 6, saying the Lord calls the city and its leaders to account for their lies. God opens a court case against the city. God wants only three things:

• to walk humble with Him
• to love constantly, and
• to act justly

Most commentators agree that this is a call to a threefold conversion. First, a conversion to God. Second, a conversion to people and community. Third a conversion to the public or political arena. Let’s say it another way:

• A Vision of a Servant Church…(Spirit)…walking humble with God
• A Vision of New Communities…(Soul)…where neighborhoods will care for each other
• A Vision of a Just Society…(Body)…acting justly through Christian core values Since people have a body, soul and a mind, you are short changing them if you don’t deal with all three.

5. The Four Church/Community Laws
Why did Christ die? To restore some things? A few things? No, to restore all things….or at least try! We have to understand the relationship between Christ and the community. We are here for the community, the community is not here for us. The church is a community with a cause which is, the community. The church is a community within a community, populated by people from the community for the benefit of the community. We’re here because they’re here!

1. Christ’s Great Commission is “holistic” comprehensive and intended to impact all aspects of life and all levels of society.
2. The local church is God’s primary agency for accomplishing His purpose of transforming communities and nations.
3. Biblical Worldview can transform individual lives and entire nations. Conversely, lies and false worldview assumptions lead to poverty, brokenness and destruction.
4. A church, operating from a thoroughly biblical worldview and is reaching out within its community and nation with a comprehensive, holistic ministry, will also be a growing, thriving and culturally relevant church.

6. Incarnating Social Entrepreneurs
There will be no transformation without incarnation. That is the way of the gospel. That is the way Jesus entered humanity to save us, not from a distance, but from the position of a participant, a fellow human being. We look for a way into our community, not a way out of the community. God wants more than belief and worship, He wants faith and love! Be fruitful and multiply, don’t just bask in paradise! Hence, the church needs to release social entrepreneurs. Social opportunity is spiritual opportunity.

Social entrepreneurs join cultural relevance and eternal significance. They are touched by needs in their community. They are “soul oxygen” for the community. For example, they understand that we can hardly ignore the government when, by constitutional right, we comprise the government. They love both their faith and their nation and have decided how best to express that care. They understand there is a deep and abiding pleasure in doing something that has both cultural relevance and eternal significance.

7. Living Epistles

8. If It’s Going To Be…It Starts With Me!

• Community Volunteering
• People of influence in places of influence….Lion’s Clubs, City Council, PTA’s, etc.
• Neighborhood activists or councils, Home owner’s associations.
• Deliberate career goals and development for Christians in government, media, education, business
• Servant evangelism…acts of kindness that can redefine the church
• Career/Ministry….using your influence at work it living out Christian values….wisdom
• Find a need and meet it……health issues, etc.

9. Final Thoughts

• They key to a servant leader heart is humility. People with humility don’t think less of themselves, they think of themselves less.
• True heroism is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost. It’s the urge to serve others at whatever the cost.
• Life is enriched by giving, and giving is enhanced when it goes beyond your comfort zone.
• When you give a check, something is drawn from your account; but when you give of yourself, something is deposited in you.
• Man is born broken. He lives by mending. The grace of God applied holistically is the glue.
• Meeting physical needs will only produce short-lived results unless people also experience a spiritual change.
• The best the world can offer is rehabilitation. What people really need is transformation through a new life in Christ.

Local churches are great places to find hearts and hands needed to build a brighter future!