 |
|
Twelve Reasons to Organize
Jesus reclaiming creation -
Jesus saved us from the world (John 11:25-27, 3:16). He also
conquered the world by reclaiming creation into a new creation.
(John 16:33, 12:31, 1 Corinthians 1:26-27, 2 Corinthians 5:16-17,
Galatians 6:14-15, Revelation 21:4d-5)
Paul reconciling systems - Paul
organized congregations not only to proclaim the gospel but also
to call principalities and powers (including all institutions of
government, business and religion) to reconciliation.
Reconciliation, in this case, means bringing back sinful systems
back to God. (Colossians 1:15-20; Ezekiel 22:25-30; 34)
God empowers the people - God
empowered humanity, building a people of power, to subdue the
earth in service and care (Genesis 1:26-30; 2:15, Leviticus 25:35)
Paul using power - Paul used
his political power (just as we should) as a Roman citizen to
confront Roman officials to gain an apology. (Acts 16:36-40) Paul
also boasted of his weakness. For then, the power of Christ would
dwell in him (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). He knew that the kingdom of
God depends on power. (1 Corinthians 4:20, Hebrews 6:5)
The church organizing people power
- Nehemiah organized and acted with the same strategy used by
faith-based community organizations – organized a constituency
and encouraged the people to have a large action meeting. This
story shows the use of power to gain distributive justice.
(Nehemiah 5:7; 4:6)
Healing executes justice - The
ministry of healing and wholeness executes justice for the sake of
the Kingdom and reign of God. (Amos 5:24, Matthew 12:13-20, 23:23)
The church against Satan - If
we don’t enter the battle to organize and confront evil powers
(John 17:18, 1 John 5:4-5), Satan, the ruler of this world (John
12:31, 14:30, 1 John 5:19) will win. We must oppose him or we lose
the present battle. (Ephesians 5:11, 6:10-12, Matthew 12:29)
The church's best evangelism -
Our best evangelism comes by responding to people’s total needs,
material and spiritual, and, by doing good works in our community.
(Matthew 5:16, 1 Corinthians 9:22-23)
The church improving neighborhood
- An improved neighborhood helps the church keep their members
from moving out of the neighborhood and feeling safe to come to
church activities. . (Matthew 19:19, 2 Corinthians 8:13-14)
The church improving leadership
- The Lord uses community organization to help church members
learn to be better leaders in the organization and in our churches
(Exodus 6:28-7:2, 18:17-21; Numbers 13:1-2; Deuteronomy 31:14, 23;
Philippians 3:2-11; 2 Timothy 1:6-14, 2:15)
Christians praying and acting -
Along with prayers for justice, members carry out an active
justice ministry modeled on the Bible. (Nehemiah 5:1-13, 2
Corinthians 5:17-20, Matthew 5:27)
God’s victory through us -
Through the ministry of faith-based community organization,
God’s grace blesses our churches and its believers with
rejoicing in the victories of God’s power through us. (Nehemiah
5:13c, 8:17; Luke 13:17, 2 Peter 5:3-4, James 1:9-12, 2 Timothy
4:1-8, Daniel 7:27)
|
|
CSCO, P.O. Box 60123, Dayton, OH 45406; email:
cscocbco@aol.com phone:
508-799-7726
| |
|
