The Church is the most magnificent concept ever created. It has survived persistent abuse, horrifying persecution and widespread neglect. Yet despite its faults (due to our sinfulness), it is still God’s chosen instrument of blessing and has been for 2,000 years.
The Church will last for eternity, and because it is God’s instrument for ministry here on earth, it is truly the greatest force on the face of the planet. That’s why I believe tackling the world’s biggest problems — the giants of spiritual lostness, egocentric leadership, poverty, disease and ignorance — can only be done through the Church.
The Church has eight distinct advantages over the efforts of business and government:
► The Church provides for the largest participation.
Most people have no idea how many Christians there are in the world. More than 2 billion people claim to be followers of Jesus Christ. That’s one-third of the world’s population.
For example, about 100 million people in the United States went to church this past weekend. That’s more people than will attend sporting events in the United States throughout this year. The Church is the largest force for good in the world.
► The Church provides for the widest distribution.
The Church is everywhere in the world. There are villages that have little else, but they do have a church. The Church is more widely distributed than any business franchise in the world.
Consider this: The Red Cross noted that 90 percent of the meals it served to victims of Hurricane Katrina were cooked by Southern Baptist churches. Many churches were able to jump into action faster than the government agencies or the Red Cross. Why? The Church is everywhere and Christians who could provide help to the Gulf Coast communicated with those in need so relief could be sent immediately.
► The Church provides the longest continuation.
The Church has been around for 2,000 years. The Church has a track record spanning centuries. Malicious leaders have tried to destroy it, hostile groups have persecuted it and skeptics have scoffed at it. Nevertheless God’s Church is bigger now than ever before in history because it’s the Church that Jesus established and it is indestructible.
In Matthew 16, Jesus says, “I will build my Church and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”
► The Church provides the fastest expansion.
Did you know that every day 60,000 new people come to believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? By the end of today, thousands of new churches will be started throughout the world, and that will happen tomorrow and the next day and the next.
Why is fast expansion important? If you’ve got a problem that’s growing at a rapid rate, then you need a solution that will grow even more rapidly. If we’re going to tackle global giants like poverty, disease, illiteracy or HIV/AIDS, then we must be part of something that’s growing faster than the problem. The Church is doing that.
► The Church provides the highest motivation.
Why do any of us do what we do in ministry? We do it out of love. Jesus stated it as the great commandment: “Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.” We wouldn’t tackle these global giants for money, fame or anything else. It wouldn’t be worth it.
We’re motivated to keep at the hard work of ministry because we love God, and our love for God compels us to love other people. It is love that never gives up; it is love that moves forward despite the appearance of impossible odds; and it is love that outlasts any problem.
► The Church provides the strongest authorization.
God authorized the Church to take on global giants such as spiritual lostness, egocentric leadership, poverty, disease and ignorance.
When you know God has authorized you to do something, you don’t worry about failure because God doesn’t sponsor flops. If God says we’re going to do it, it will happen. The Bible teaches that God will give us His power to complete the task. This is God’s way — ordinary people empowered by His Spirit.
► The Church provides the simplest administration.
The old wineskin of command and control won’t work well in the 21st century. The organization of the future is the “network.”
And there’s no better worldwide network than the Church, where every member is a minister and empowered to do what God wants done. We can network faster and with less bureaucracy than most governmental agencies or well-meaning charities.
We have God’s permission and we have God’s command to do it. There is no need to seek permission from anyone else.
► The Church provides for God’s conclusion.
Because we believe the Bible is God’s Word, we know the end of history. Jesus said in Matthew 24: “The good news about God’s Kingdom will be preached in all the world to every nation, and then the end will come.” It is inevitable and unavoidable.
When you consider these eight advantages, think about the exponential explosion of ministry when millions upon millions of small groups in millions upon millions of churches organize in such a way that each person can do their part in attacking the five global giants.
We may look at these problems and think, “These are too big. How could we possibly solve them?”
But with God, nothing is impossible — and if we all work together as His Church, we’ll see these giants fall.
Share with others: