Whole Health Outreach
Relevant Christian ministry in these rapidly changing times demand far greater and different responses than the church seem able to deliver both outside and inside. Thus debates flourish about the continued relevance of the church.
The 21st century dawned with Christianity boasting a new landscape. It was the dawn of the mega-churches, international ministries and the global dominance of charismatic Christianity. It’s the age of the contemporary Church Growth Movement. We attend, hear, and or read about the astonishing growth success stories all the time.
Mega-churches and their variety of ministries are the new standards for judging all other churches. The standardization of ministry aligned with this notion is that if you are doing ministry “right” then your church should naturally explode from small traditional church to cutting-edge charismatic mega church.
Reality tells us a different story. Moreover, the grass always appears greener on the other side.
Recovering Lost Ground?
I am not pessimistic about the powerful reach of God. However, I do not believe it is possible to recover lost ground. Many have died who never experienced the love of God through us. That cannot be corrected again in this life.
We can work though, to secure the present and also the future. There are many opportunities around us. We need to face the reality that we have to make changes in the way we do ministry.
A relevant Christian ministry requires a new thinking and a new vision. That is possible in Christ. The Holy Spirit can bring about that transformation in our pulpits, pews and homes and society. We cannot expect to receive new life in ‘old wine skins’. I suspect that is what we are still trying to do.
Church As Servant Community
The church is essentially a servant community. However, it is true that too many congregations have now reached dinosaur status because they were locked up behind their walls, thinking it was still fashionable (was it ever?) to serve themselves. We are not to confuse any such examples of “self-service” with the kind of ministry we are called to exercise as the worshiping community.
We take our cue on service from Jesus. In John 13:1-20, Jesus used the opportunity, through example, to teach his disciples what it means to be a true servant of others. Christ called the church to a life of service. We do not simply exist to cater solely to the (many) needs of our own membership; and doing a lousy job at membership care too.
In Mark 14:3-9 Jesus commends a woman, whom some call Mary for her sacrificial act of service to him. The conditions of our world today, demands such sacrificial acts of service today. The world is tired of our talk. They need to see us do what we claim to be.
To be continued.
Marvia
Greeting in the Name of Jesus Christ!
Dear Brother and Sisters In Christ, Samoos Bible Care Ministries Pakistan (SBCMP) is a non profit, nondenominational Christian ministry working for the spread of the Gospel in Pakistan. We are working for this mission since the year 2004. In a period of only few years we have done an extensive work to send the gospel out in Pakistan. We live in a very backward and underdeveloped area of Punjab where people are illiterate, not only in the formal and non formal education, but as well as in the knowledge of the Word of God.
To get the Gospel to the people who need it, we have Sunday prayers. Also, we organize open-air prayer meetings in the surrounding areas where no pastor or evangelists are going with the Gospel. This way we are reaching those people who have never heard the Bible before.
Our vision is to reach the unreached millions of Pakistan through gospel crusades, evangelistic out-reaches, literature out-reach, mass media, native missionaries; and also through planting a dynamic church in every out-reached community – along with the least-evangelized areas of Pakistan that do not have a gospel witness.
Out Activities are: Crusades, Healing Meetings, Revival Meetings, Leadership Seminars, Women Prayer Meeting, Widows Care, Orphans Care Sunday School, Outreach Evangelism, Free Bibles Distribution and helping natural disaster effected people etc.
Here, I would like to explain some facts about Pakistan. Pakistan is the third largest Islamic nation in the world, with more than 150 million souls. 97.2 % of the population is Muslim. Christians make up just 2 % of the population; and these people suffer more than any other ethnic or religious group. Pakistan is in the very heart of the 10/40 Window – the geographic area where 95 % of the un-reached people of the world live. Between India and Afghanistan, Pakistan is a strategic nation. Since the September 11 attack, Pakistan has become the focus of the world. Pakistan is a country with different cultures, languages, people groups, economical backgrounds, etc. Pakistan has a desperate need for assistance in evangelism, Church planting, literature outreach, leadership training, and strengthening of the local Church. 97 % of the newly planted churches and new believers need a place to worship and fellowship. A shortage of Bibles, Gospel literature, faith-based books, leaders, and training material makes it difficult for Christians in Pakistan to grow in their faith and to sustain their relationship with Christ. More than half of Pakistan’s population has never heard about Jesus. Pakistan is an Islamic country, ruled by Islamic law. Christians of Pakistan make quite a sizable population, with more than 10 million souls. But they have to face religious discrimination, religious intolerance, oppression, social subjugation, and economic deprivation. Therefore, Christians are generally less privileged and backward. A growing body of believers continually struggles under government persecution; because it is officially illegal for Muslims to convert to Christianity. Since the country’s blasphemy law was created in 1991, an offended Muslim can accuse a Christian on almost any grounds. False and arbitrary accusations of speaking against the Quran or Muhammad are a common practice by Muslim fundamentalists. In the persecuted environment of Pakistan, 90% of the churches are not very well established. The majority of existing churches need buildings for fellowship, as they meet in open air. Native missionaries make great sacrifices for the sake of the Gospel. Many times, they go without food; and they travel hundreds of kilometers just to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ. In some parts of Pakistan, Muslim fundamentalists attack the missionaries, and they are forced to put off their work as well as their faith. Please keep them in your prayers as they seek to faithfully serve the Lord under great hardship.
Islam may be the greatest challenge before the Church in this Century; but it may also represent the largest potential harvest. There are one and one-quarter billion Muslims in the world; nearly 25% of the world population. Most have never heard the Gospel of God’s grace in Christ Jesus. Instead, they follow a religion based entirely on works and judgment. If we don’t bring the grace of God into that world, the hostilities of this decade will only grow and intensify. Politics will not resolve this issue; only the Church has the answer.
This is harvest time, and the fields are truly white and ready for harvest. Let’s take the message of God’s saving and healing power to the ends of the earth, and bring in a mighty harvest of souls for God’s glory. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of millions for eternity.
We would like to request that you take part in this greatest harvest of any Islamic nation. It will be a blessing for us to partner with you for His glory. Please pray for this Godly vision and join hands with us for national transformation, under the power of the Holy Spirit.
So, my dear co-worker in Christ –so please join us with the hands together and lift up in your prayer to keep spread the word of God in Pakistan.
May the blessings of the Lord Jesus Christ and the sweet fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all, now and forever more!
Your Fellow Worker in Pakistan.
Pastor George John.