Making disciples.....

There is a lot of discussion, debate and division today with regards to the central purpose of the Christian church. Recent years has witnessed an upsurge in interest among conservative evangelicals in social justice and cultural renewal. Such is the interest shown that many churches are now putting a lot of energy into so called 'Seasons of Service' where social projects are dominating the activity of many churches. We are being told it is the church's responsibility to feed the poor, it is the church's responsibility to house the homeless, it is the church's responsibility to stop abortions, it is the church's responsibility to provide health care for the needy etc,etc,etc,etc.....

Whilst all this social concern is admirable to an extent, is it really the church's responsibility to do all the things mentioned above and whole lot more? Should the local church be preoccupied with issues of social justice? Should the finances of the church and the time of the church be dominated by 'Seasons of Service'? Or have we lost our way in terms of the central purpose of the Christian church?

When you read the NT it is very clear that at the center of the church's mission is not deliverance from material poverty, or physical homelessness, or physical health issues, nor dare I say it even the eradication of abortion. The central mission of the Christian church is the proclamation of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The central mission of the Christian church is to make disciples of the nations for the glory of God. When the church moves the proclamation of the gospel and the making of the disciples to the side and replaces it with social justice issues or cultural renewal issues it unwittingly loses its purpose and the power of God in its ranks.

If the Christian church is to enjoy the presence and power of God in its midst it must remain faithful to its calling and keep first things first and central things central. If not then it can be certain that it in a generation if not sooner it will cease to truly be the salt and light Christ calls it to be......