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We Are the Church, and We Make Communities Better

What would happen if your local church vanished tomorrow? How would your community be different? And who would be sad about the loss?

We know how to answer those questions for the early church. If they had vanished, people would have gone hungry, experienced greater injustice, and had fewer opportunities to hear the stories of Jesus.

Many people would have been affected, and it wouldn’t have been just the Christians who mourned the loss. That’s because the early church made their community better for everyone.

The early church set up community resources to feed vulnerable people. They dealt with issues of justice and oppression and did their best to treat all people as equals. That’s not to say they got everything right, but their community improved because of their presence.

Hopefully, it’s easy to see why the Church can make a place better. After all, the Church is a group of people becoming more like Jesus. Jesus cared for people who were often excluded or forgotten. He challenged injustice and provided for people in need. Jesus brought different people together and healed broken relationships.

So if the church strives to be the body of Jesus, then we can’t help but make our communities better! But where do we start? After all, the places we live often face complex issues. So how can we make a meaningful difference in our communities?

First, we need to be aware of the needs of our neighbors. We can start by asking questions, listening, and learning from the experiences of our neighbors. Then, once we’re aware of the needs, we can ask God to help us work toward meaningful solutions.

We can also start with our passion. Maybe you care about helping families in crisis, or perhaps you’ve always wanted to support unhoused people. If you have a passion for helping others, that’s God’s invitation for you to be the Church. So find a local ministry, or meet with a few friends who share your passion. Make a plan, and find ways to address the need you see.

Making a community better takes time and requires consistent care. But every small act of service and life-giving conversation has the power to make a difference in a person’s life. As people grow in positive ways, communities become stronger, healthier, and more like heaven.

Challenge: Be the Church today by asking God to direct you toward someone in need. Maybe they need kind encouragement or a resource you can provide.