You might enjoy "Generous Justice" by Tim Keller. It addresses many of the issues raised here, including the importance of preaching the Gospel, and Biblical vs Liberal social justice.
1) Keller believes churches should be focused on spreading the Gospel and discipling/edifying/teaching members [that's discipling as in mentoring], not running a bunch of programs to help the less fortunate.
2) Social justice is important to God. It was His radical idea. Keller explains how some churches developed _liberalized_ social justice views. He also presents many verses and their contexts to demonstrate how God has historically promoted human rights and cared for the powerless. E.g. Fair court trials regardless of wealth, nationality, religion; care and protection of widows, orphans, foreigners, the powerless. One can promote social justice without violating their Christian beliefs.
3) Loving God leads one to serve / help others. Therefore, Christians will start or be involved in programs providing help to others.
My summary and thoughts: So, when churches engage in their primary responsibilities (#1), love for and obedience to God, love for the people He has created in His image, and adherence to biblical social justice happens, resulting in programs and workers (separate from churches) that help meet the physical, emotional, educational, etc, needs of others. This is Christianity in action - 'clothing the poor', 'feeding orphans'. As it is said, people will know we are Christians by our deeds.
Seeing the light and love of Jesus in us is one of the ways others are drawn to Christ. And, we all have different spiritual gifts. Some are better equipped to evangelize, teach, intercessory prayer, serve with their hands, or something else. What are your roles in the body of Christ? Spreading the Gospel in some way and serving others is likely always a role but it seems other roles are more primary for some due to their gifts. (Or maybe evangelizing looks different?)
Finally, some who have commented on the efficacy of monetary solutions for poverty needs might be interested in books like "Helping Without Hurting in Church Benevolence: A Practical Guide to Walking with Low-Income People" or "When Helping Hurts: How to alleviate poverty without hurting the poor... or yourself."
Rob, I'm sorry to hear you experienced this. I do not know of any scripture that indicates a person administering communion (or any other sacrament) has to be a church leader, much less ordained. I don't see biblical support for why any Christian can't do these things. "Ability to administer sacrements" is not a spiritual gift, not a "gift" required to be a presbuteros / episkopos / poimḗn, nor listed as one of their duties. I could understand if you were new to your congregation and leadership wanted to know you better first, e.g. that time has demonstrated you to be a sincere believer showing fruits of the Spirit or perhaps meeting biblical standards for being an elder. However, each denomination has created rules and procedures, some helpful, some not. Unfortunately, it seems the issue here is the denominations' decisions, rules, and traditions, and whether or not you want to work within them, or try to effect change (perhaps a shorter route to ordination for those in your situation), or consider a denomination that is a better fit for you. Thank you for volunteering to pitch in when your congregation was in need. That is true Christian behavior.
Posted in: Dear CRCNA Member, Do You Believe Mark 8:36?
You might enjoy "Generous Justice" by Tim Keller. It addresses many of the issues raised here, including the importance of preaching the Gospel, and Biblical vs Liberal social justice.
1) Keller believes churches should be focused on spreading the Gospel and discipling/edifying/teaching members [that's discipling as in mentoring], not running a bunch of programs to help the less fortunate.
2) Social justice is important to God. It was His radical idea. Keller explains how some churches developed _liberalized_ social justice views. He also presents many verses and their contexts to demonstrate how God has historically promoted human rights and cared for the powerless. E.g. Fair court trials regardless of wealth, nationality, religion; care and protection of widows, orphans, foreigners, the powerless. One can promote social justice without violating their Christian beliefs.
3) Loving God leads one to serve / help others. Therefore, Christians will start or be involved in programs providing help to others.
My summary and thoughts: So, when churches engage in their primary responsibilities (#1), love for and obedience to God, love for the people He has created in His image, and adherence to biblical social justice happens, resulting in programs and workers (separate from churches) that help meet the physical, emotional, educational, etc, needs of others. This is Christianity in action - 'clothing the poor', 'feeding orphans'. As it is said, people will know we are Christians by our deeds.
Seeing the light and love of Jesus in us is one of the ways others are drawn to Christ. And, we all have different spiritual gifts. Some are better equipped to evangelize, teach, intercessory prayer, serve with their hands, or something else. What are your roles in the body of Christ? Spreading the Gospel in some way and serving others is likely always a role but it seems other roles are more primary for some due to their gifts. (Or maybe evangelizing looks different?)
Finally, some who have commented on the efficacy of monetary solutions for poverty needs might be interested in books like "Helping Without Hurting in Church Benevolence: A Practical Guide to Walking with Low-Income People" or "When Helping Hurts: How to alleviate poverty without hurting the poor... or yourself."
Posted in: Why Must You Be Ordained in Order to Administer Communion/The Lord's Supper?
Rob, I'm sorry to hear you experienced this. I do not know of any scripture that indicates a person administering communion (or any other sacrament) has to be a church leader, much less ordained. I don't see biblical support for why any Christian can't do these things. "Ability to administer sacrements" is not a spiritual gift, not a "gift" required to be a presbuteros / episkopos / poimḗn, nor listed as one of their duties. I could understand if you were new to your congregation and leadership wanted to know you better first, e.g. that time has demonstrated you to be a sincere believer showing fruits of the Spirit or perhaps meeting biblical standards for being an elder. However, each denomination has created rules and procedures, some helpful, some not. Unfortunately, it seems the issue here is the denominations' decisions, rules, and traditions, and whether or not you want to work within them, or try to effect change (perhaps a shorter route to ordination for those in your situation), or consider a denomination that is a better fit for you. Thank you for volunteering to pitch in when your congregation was in need. That is true Christian behavior.