"serve" and "save"

Ed Stetzer: This generation is continuing to show their desire to be a part of something bigger than themselves, a cause. It is our responsibility to affirm the church as an outlet where they cannot only find opportunities to serve the world, but even find a greater reason behind doing it.

The social action movement shouldn't intimidate the church. We don't need to be looking for ways to retrofit our message into it. Instead, we simply need to help others see that it is our message.

Jesus shows us in Luke 19 that he came to seek and to save the lost. But, we also see that very same Jesus in Luke 4 who is serving the hurting and the oppressed. If we are going to join Jesus on his mission, he modeled both "serve" and "save," and we would do well to follow his example.

The above text is from one of Ed's posts on his blog. I love the idea here that we are in a time where people want to be involved with something bigger than themselves. It is the very nature of the finite being longing to be connected to something infinite. It is a direct look at our humanity and the awesomeness of God. As a pastor, I pray that our church will be a place like this. A place where people can feel connected not only to the Lord but to one another as we learn to "do life together". I long for a place where real biblical community is taking place and in response to that overwhelming since of community, we are reaching out in a missional mindset to those around us. How can we, as the church, best serve those around us? Are there things that we need to do differently while making sure we are not doing them contrary to the Scriptures in our approach? Will the church be known for bringing something positive to the community? Will we "in essence" be a church of influence, filled with people of influence, longing to influence the world? We must embrace the idea the He came to serve and to save. As we serve those around us, may we embrace the relationships that are begun and may those relationships be the "front door" that allows us to point people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ