Feature
Moving A Church Toward Gospel-Centeredness
by Jeff Louie
(Continued from Page 4)
1. The True Hope
The believer’s involvement in the governments of this age must be tempered by the understanding that our ultimate hope is not in the kingdoms of this world. The teaching of Christ is clear here. This world rusts and decays. We are seeking something that is not of this world.
2. Moral and Gracious Legislation
Christ has taught us to be both moral and gracious, and both need to be present in the political causes of the believer. This is very difficult in the current political atmosphere in the United States where trigger issues are used to stir the passion of voters. Christians in government should have a conviction that is stronger than the party line. We should champion both moral and gracious causes.
3. Understand the Potential and Limits of Compatibility
Joseph and Daniel illustrate the benefits faithful followers of God can have upon a pagan government. Their spiritual integrity and wisdom allowed them to rise to positions of influence. Though Christians should not put their full hope in the governments of this world, we can use our integrity and competency to help remedy the temporal ills of society.
I have a great admiration for Lord Shaftesbury, a British nobleman, politician and philanthropist who lived in the nineteenth century. He was an apocalyptic, believing the time of the Lord’s return was near. He was an evangelical. He was greatly involved with organizations that promoted world evangelization. But his theological views did not prevent him from becoming a great blessing to the poor and neglected in England. He led the charge to change child labor laws in the coal mines. He helped to reform Britain’s health care system. He made lunacy asylums more humane. He was the first major British politician to rebuke the government for its promotion of the opium trade in China, a trade that had great value to England, as it helped fund British colonialism. He developed a system to lend money without interest to young women so that they could start small businesses for themselves. During his time, 12 of 13 children did not go to school, so he helped start the “Ragged School Movement” that educated thousands of England’s poor children. When he died, it was estimated that over 100,000 of England’s poor came to pay tribute to him. Banners were held with words like: “I was hungry and you fed me. I was naked and you clothed me.” Lord Shaftesbury is one of the best examples of what a Christian can do to help the ills of society.
The Cost Of Moving A Church Toward Gospel-Centeredness
The transformation of an existing church toward a gospel-centeredness will require a high degree of commitment and perseverance by the leadership, and especially by the lead pastor. It can take months, even years of commitment. The lead pastor must not only support the gospel ideals, he must bleed them. He is not to relegate the work to an assistant, but must be totally committed and involve himself.
This leadership requires a high degree of spiritual strength, as many in the congregation will not understand the direction being taken. Some will catch on quickly, while others will prove resistant to change. Disparaging comments may follow:
“We can’t show compassion because we are not ready.” But when will we be ready? Isn’t “loving our neighbor” the second greatest commandment? This is not an option.
“We are too small of a church.” We are not called to “change” our community. We are called to “love” the people around us. We may, or may not, bring a lasting effect. This is up to God.
“We won’t be effective because the people in our neighborhood are different from the people at the church. We would do better to help our own kind.” But this is not the concern of the second greatest commandment. The Good Samaritan didn’t say, “I’m sorry, I don’t speak your language. I show compassion, but only to my own kind. “It’s a matter of effectiveness.” Beware that we do not equate “cultural-pride” and “effectiveness.”
The lead pastor may need to risk his own job for the sake of gospel transformation. Some will not understand why he declares bold truths. Others will claim that he is headed toward a liberal social gospel. There will be times of misunderstanding and bouts of sadness. But is it worth it? Definitely, yes! We do not serve ourselves, or our institutions. We serve the living God who will judge the works of our hands. We need to stand before the Lord knowing that we have sought to represent him in the fullness of his gospel.
