Canadians have always pride ourselves on being a nation of tolerance. We believe that everyone has the right to live as he chooses.
As a church, we have committed to work towards “Empowering Mission to the Dalits and Beyond”.
This vision is birthed and rooted in our conviction that everyone is endowed with dignity with basic human rights. As the custodian of God’s truth, the church recognises her responsibility to tell all peoples that God loves them because they are made in the image of God and they have a right to choose Christ (John 3:16).
However, human rights do not mean unlimited rights.
Theologian John Stott offered his view on the relationship between human rights, equality and responsibility in his book, New Issues Facing Christian Today,
“Here then is a Christian perspective on human rights. First, we affirm human dignity. Because human beings are created in God’s image to know him, serve one another and be stewards of the earth, therefore they must be respected. Secondly, we affirm human equality. Because human beings have all been made in the same image by the same Creator, therefore we must not be obsequious to some and scornful to others, but behave without partiality to all. Thirdly, we affirm human responsibility. Because God has laid it upon us to love and serve our neighbours, therefore we must fight for their rights, while being ready to renounce our own in order to do so.”
When the church is able to exercise our freedom and responsibility in a way that is compatible to our calling, the world will see that Jesus is the Light of the world.
Showing posts with label church responsibility. Show all posts
Showing posts with label church responsibility. Show all posts
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
What the church needs to evangelize the world
30 January, 2011
Many have analysed and came up with strategies to reach the world for Christ. Much has been said and much more needs to be done.
What does the church need to fulfil the Great Commission?
Call it idealism, call it naivety, call it dreaming – but the church needs it. The church needs insight and foresight; lens that enable us to see ‘what could be’. The church needs dreamers.
But dreamers must become thinkers, planners and workers. Visionaries must become Pathfinders. The church must be willing to think through things, pray through challenges and explore ways to realize the vision.
Yet pathfinders without perseverance will not get the job done. We are bound to encounter opposition in doing God’s work. Take heart – the Bible tells us that God’s work thrives on opposition. As a church, we must be resilient to take setbacks, overcome fatigue and discouragement.
Finally, the church needs discipline. Discipline will be the mortar that keeps us focused on the task ahead. We need a church of authentic, lifelong committed disciples who are disciplined in seeking the Lord’s grace and power. Discipline in the Lord’s purpose and His Presence will enable us to stay committed to global mission.
As a church, we commit ourselves to ‘empowering mission to the Dalits and beyond’ knowing full well that we are in total partnership with God and He will do it.
Many have analysed and came up with strategies to reach the world for Christ. Much has been said and much more needs to be done.
What does the church need to fulfil the Great Commission?
Call it idealism, call it naivety, call it dreaming – but the church needs it. The church needs insight and foresight; lens that enable us to see ‘what could be’. The church needs dreamers.
But dreamers must become thinkers, planners and workers. Visionaries must become Pathfinders. The church must be willing to think through things, pray through challenges and explore ways to realize the vision.
Yet pathfinders without perseverance will not get the job done. We are bound to encounter opposition in doing God’s work. Take heart – the Bible tells us that God’s work thrives on opposition. As a church, we must be resilient to take setbacks, overcome fatigue and discouragement.
Finally, the church needs discipline. Discipline will be the mortar that keeps us focused on the task ahead. We need a church of authentic, lifelong committed disciples who are disciplined in seeking the Lord’s grace and power. Discipline in the Lord’s purpose and His Presence will enable us to stay committed to global mission.
As a church, we commit ourselves to ‘empowering mission to the Dalits and beyond’ knowing full well that we are in total partnership with God and He will do it.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Social justice and the church
13 June 2010
All human beings are created in the image of God and bear the image of God.
Creation theology anchors this truth: all human beings have fundamental human rights.
However, human rights do not spell equal rights in reality. The oppression of man against man is nothing new. Thus, what George Orwell said in his book, Animal Farm is still true today,
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
God is not neutral to social injustice. He is dead against it. Jesus demands that His people advocate and practise justice,
"Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herb, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.” (Lk 11:42)
To God, justice and love of God go together. His prophet, Isaiah cried out,
“Learn to do right!
Seek justice,
encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17)
The church is to be what God’s intention for the world is. She is to be the champion for the weak and vulnerable. She is to be voice for the voiceless.
While we may not have utopia on earth, we need to heed God’s call,
“But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:24).
All human beings are created in the image of God and bear the image of God.
Creation theology anchors this truth: all human beings have fundamental human rights.
However, human rights do not spell equal rights in reality. The oppression of man against man is nothing new. Thus, what George Orwell said in his book, Animal Farm is still true today,
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
God is not neutral to social injustice. He is dead against it. Jesus demands that His people advocate and practise justice,
"Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herb, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.” (Lk 11:42)
To God, justice and love of God go together. His prophet, Isaiah cried out,
“Learn to do right!
Seek justice,
encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17)
The church is to be what God’s intention for the world is. She is to be the champion for the weak and vulnerable. She is to be voice for the voiceless.
While we may not have utopia on earth, we need to heed God’s call,
“But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:24).
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