A certain church was planted in a very dirty community. The church was not really Agrowing because she was aloof to her immediate community. Later, people started dying in an alarming proportion in the said community and this jolted the church into reality. The church decided to carry out sanitation exercise round the community; cleaning, clearing refuse dumps and fumigating the environment. This effort continued for weeks and the deaths slowed down considerably. The community noted this and they started coming to the church in large numbers. The church was able to bring physical and spiritual change to the community and her people. This is the call and commission of every local church in every community.
A. FUNDAMENTALS AND PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH Acts 1:8
The church must be located in a locality and making local impact. While her eyes must be in the world, yet her feet must be firmly rooted in the community. Her purpose is to:
- Exalt Jesus
- Evangelize the lost through word and action
- Engage the enemy in warfare
- Edify the saints
- Equip people for ministry
- Expand His kingdom
My working definition of church is an assembly of professing believers, uniquely indwelt by Jesus Christ, under the disciplines of the word of God, administering the ordinances and led by spiritually gifted leaders. The church is not a ‘holy club of the saints’, or another Leo and Lions club. She is not a mere figure, but a mighty force for positive change in every locality. By being passionate and committed to these six purposes, the church can bring true spiritual and social change to her locality.
B. WHY THE CHURCH MUST BE A CHANGE AGENT
People and communities desire change, but they are powerless to truly change themselves for the better. God places the church in the world and in every community so that she can serve as the catalyst for needed change in human affairs.
- The church is the only power that can defeat Satan
- The church is the voice of God to the world
- The church is the answer to human traumas
- The church is the only way to peace and security of man.
- The church is the hope of the world
- The church is the only plan of God to win the world.
Inspite of the faults and weaknesses of the church, God has decided not to do away with her. The church matters to the mission of God, in every era and in every culture. The church is His hands, feet and lips in the world. The church still matters, both to God and humanity.
God has given His best and His all to the world – the church of Jesus Christ. The church is the method of bringing personal, corporate, social, family, business and community change to the world. Every church can be a community and world changer. She has been imbued with divine force to bring change wherever she is located, whether big or small.
C. WHY THE CHURCH IS NOT CHANGING COMMUNITIES
Changes can be swift, sudden, gradual and incremental. It may be forward looking or reversal in nature. Whichever, the church is to bring change. Now, why is majority of churches not bringing any kind of positive changes to their localities?
- Shallow, fake, wrong, untrained, visionless and ungodly Pastors.
- Lack of community vision – internal and not external vision.
- Failure to take responsibility for her communities.
- Much more elderly people than youths and young adults. Wrong examples and lifestyles of church members.
- Wrong emphasis and doctrines of the church.
- Bad image and lack of genuine community efforts.
- Institutional factors and internal limitations
- Refusal to welcome the ministry of youths and young people.
These seven factors have rendered many churches powerless and unable to bring true change to their localities. Many of such churches are lost, unknown and irrelevant to cause any major impact and trouble the kingdom of darkness in their communities.
Recommended Reading
10 Spiritual Keys To Preventing Church Decline
Top Ten Lessons from the Life of Daniel
10 Guidelines That will Keep You In Minsrtry
D. KEYS TO CHANGE THAT THE CHURCH POSSESS – Isaiah 22:22; Matt. 16:18-19.
Every local church has been given the kingdom keys to cause change in the world. What are these keys?
- the gospel of Gospel of the kingdom power causes transformation – (1 Cor. 1:18)
- Holy Spirit presence – the Spirit of God is a change specialist.
- The name of Jesus – powers bow down to this name -(Phil.2:10-11)
- Blood of Jesus – it cleanses, purifies and changes within and without.
- Prayers and intercession – prayer draws down the hand of God to work.
- Fruits of the Spirit – your attitudes attract and influence others for good or bad.
- Gifts of the Spirit the gifts opens up people for divine touch and change by God
- Good works – It breaks barriers, fences and soften people’s hearts for change by God
- The word of God – the teaching of undiluted word of God brings transformation to hearts and life.
- Ministry of Angels – they bring messages of change to humanity.
When these keys are properly and spiritually used at the right time, changes cannot but occur to people and communities.