Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Help for the Brokenhearted

This is a list of things that I feel strongly in my heart that would aide churches in assisting those in the circumstances discussed here. 
I pray that those with Leadership roles and in Spiritual Authority will take it to heart and recognize that this is an ever growing epidemic in our society and within the body of Christ.
We ought to beware not to create churches that are a families only conclave. Build up and equip families and at the same time be on mission with Christ.

As more churches become concerned about orphan care, everyone is looking for a curriculum or a product to fix these problems. But that is not what the Spirit has been doing. An adoption movement in a congregation is different in each church. The answer is not having a big and slick program, but saying we are willing to be with Christ in hearing the fatherless and the widows – and the Spirit equips us to do that.
#1 Consider the nature of the church as a spiritual household. James was speaking to the churches. 1 Tim 3:15 “manage his own household well” so he will be able to lead the church of God. Titus 2 “spiritual mothers”Some of the men will only see what it means to be a father by seeing the other men in your church acting like fathers. We need to call out pastors who understand what it means to be a dad to their congregation.
This is a similar role for the Titus 2 woman. She demonstrates Godly mothering through caring for others in the congregation.
#2 We need to understand unity within diversity in the family. The adoption movement shows us how we can love others outside our genetic and ethic groups. To help families that are breaking apart, we need to learn how to model unity within our churches.
Unfortunately, our churches are often united around the wrong things. Congregations are being sorted out by economic status, or by race rather than spiritual unity. We need the unity that the Spirit brings.
You have some women that don’t want to come to your church because they know your church stands for family values – therefor they think they won’t be welcomed. We need to be united around the Gospel and the deposit of truth given to us. We need to love one another and even when we are not like one another. 2 Thess 3 “admonish as a brother”A condition of salvation is not having ordered your family in the right way from the get-go. The blood of Jesus is for all different types.
#3 There has to be a Gospel patience toward people. You can’t adopt a 3-4 year old child and expect them to behave exactly like a child you have raised since birth. In the same way, Jesus doesn’t sanctified us immediately all the way. He takes us through a process that often involves suffering and patience. We need to extend this same patience toward others.

#4 There has to be shared responsibility in the way we organize our churches. Too often, we don’t see the church as a family, but a gathering of people who share the same values. It’s easy to preach against outsiders. Think of how the Evangelical church speaks strongly against homosexuality but are relatively mute about divorce. We need to speak to all people with truth and love.
You do not have “single people” in your congregation. There are not individuals – you have brothers and sisters in your congregation. They are part of you, they are in your home.
We can understand the church as an economy. We’ve lost an understanding of the home as an economy. The kids leave for school and the parents leave for work. None have jobs together in the home. They don’t see how they contribute something to the family. Within the church as a household, we all have a job. Even those coming out of painful backgrounds, can see they are welcomed because they are useful. We use the gifts of everyone in the congregation, even those who are coming from no home. The more successful your church is, the more likely you’ll be embarrassed when some of those gifts are honed or refined. But that’s the point!
Churches need to see the following existing in their congregation:
  • Our church being a hospital. Many people are physically sick and we would like to introduce them to Jesus the Healer . The N.T. says "He sent His Word and healed them."' Jesus also told His disciples to "heal the sick. (Luke 10:19,20). Many Christians are sick spiritually. I mean they don't understand who they are in Christ and so life's problems and their own failures cause them to miss out on the strength and power the Lord wants to give them. 
  • Our church is a school. We believe the local Church have responsibility to teach believers who Christ Jesus is and then who they are in Christ. When they realize those two things they will be able, by faith, to walk in His power. Our Lord said, "all power is govern unto me in Heaven and earth." (Mt. 28:18) Then Jesus gave His disciples His power and His authority "over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick." (Luke 10:19,20)
  •  Our church is a filling station. This may sound strange but we mean that so often we are empty of strength to live the life that our Lord wants us to live. Every believer needs to be filled with God's Holy Spirit in order to accomplish His plan for their life. Some Christians try to get by with very little in their "spiritual tank" when the Lord has promised He would give us "power after the Holy Spirit comes to you." Acts 1:8. Paul even uses the idea of "keep on being filled" (Eph. 5:18) as he knew we needed God's power every day.
Churches should aim to be the following for families, single parents, singles, widowed and orphaned alike: 
To be a safe place! A place for spiritual recovery and strengthening! A place for developing ministries! It is a family church and therefore the sight will reflect our efforts to welcome families and to strengthen them. It is also a sight to welcome the spiritual widows and widowers. It is a place that will allow for individual spiritual development and leadership. 

With Love in Christ,
Akuas Keiki

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