Church as the "Go-to" Place

I'm one of those who has emphasized many times that most of the programs in most churches are designed as "come" structures.  Come to our service, come to our program, come to our concert, or revival or whatever.  Cast against the backdrop of the Great Commission which emphasizes "go", it makes it seem as if we are choosing the exact opposite of what Jesus meant.  Today as I was praying and thinking about an identity for our church, I began to think of "go" in a bit of a different light.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if the people of our town began to think of Faith Baptist Church as the "go-to" place for all sorts of needs?  

  • Lonely?  Go to Faith Baptist.
  • Depressed?  Go to Faith Baptist.
  • Hungry?  Go to Faith Baptist.
  • Homeless?  Go to Faith Baptist.
  • Jobless?  Go to Faith Baptist.
Not that we are currently equipped to meet all those needs, but we can become equipped.  When we have a member who is passionate about a particular ministry, we can help them launch that ministry through the church.  Just as the temple was the center of activity in Jerusalem, I believe the church can become the center of activity in a community.  In the process of meeting needs, the gospel should be shared.  The
"signs and wonders" that accompanied the activities of Jesus and the early disciples served to get the attention of people in need of a relationship with Jesus.  In the same way, the meeting of needs can open a hole in the heart of a person that you can drive a Mack truck of the gospel right through.
How about it Church?  Let's become the "go-to" place.

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