Last week, I drove along a highway past this home above (courtesy of Google Maps) that literally had its foundation on the edge of the curb. Not the sidewalk, the curb. This home had obviously been there for some time and it caused me to think about what sort of influence it had been on the community and culture for it to remain despite the construction of the highway so close to it.
It made me think of the continuing conversation about the Church and culture. I thought of organizations like the YMCA, Goodwill and the Salvation Army and how they have become staples in our community and culture today. All of those organizations were started by Christians. Initially I thought what powerful ministries and influences these organizations had become. They are now so threaded into our culture and community that most people know of these organizations and use their services in some way. But then I wondered: have these organizations become so threaded into our culture and community that the current generation has forgotten what they stand for and why they do what they do? In reality all of these organizations were birthed out of a desire to transform and redeem the community with the love of Jesus. And today, despite the fact that many people use these organizations on a regular basis and they still do amazing work, I wonder if the message of the gospel behind them is as clear as it used to be. I have had conversations with people who have no idea that any of these organizations were started by followers of Jesus in order to serve the community and world. Have we missed an opportunity to share the reason we do these things and for the hope upon which we stand? Are these ministries truly glorifying God if he does not get the credit? I certainly do not think God’s glory is diminished by our neglect of him, but does this become a lost opportunity for us to point to him?
I am not denying or minimizing the excellent work all of these organizations have done and are doing, but this is worth thinking about and exploring a little deeper…
