A new year, and new stars to reach

“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’”

Matthew 25:34-36

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We started writing these columns nearly two years ago when it seemed that there was developing a divide in our society. Not only division politically but spiritually. Often, the ministries of so many Christians were not in the public eye and Christians were characterized as being more about what they were against than what they were for. When I approached the editor, Mike Patrick, he graciously offered his support and was willing to give it a try.

Our area is blessed with many secular and faith-based services along with a population that is very giving. Our purpose in emphasizing faith-based ministries was our belief that without the power of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit true change for an individual is often impossible.

What we thought would be a simple column that brought to light some of the ministries we were aware of instead became life changing for us. We interviewed so many individuals who are “sold out” serving others and giving them the message of Christ. They are serving the homeless, halfway houses for people released from jail, chaplains in jails, broken families, orphans, the addicted and to ministries around the world.

It has been humbling, inspirational and an honor all at the same time to talk to these people. When we ask them how many changed lives they have brought about they are all quick to say, “None.” Their answer that without the saving power of the gospel, there is no change and all they did was present that.

We contrast that with the problems in our state and local community that are serious and need solutions. This includes low test scores in education, opiate and other drug addictions, suicide, crime, the rise in the number of foster children and the list grows.

The one common denominator that came out of our discussions was the effect of broken families. Nearly half of the children in our area do not live with their biological father. Statistics show that children in a broken home will perform much lower on test scores, drop out of school at a higher rate, addiction is increased, out of wedlock birth is more common, suicide is increased and so on. The first reaction is that we need more government money in new programs to tackle these issues and the deeper we look the more we find a spiritual problem.

On purpose we have not focused on individual churches but rather on faith-based ministries that are taking on these problems directly. In our discussion we decided we would have no talk about theology or doctrine and that was not a topic those on the front lines brought up. The focus is on the need and how lives can be changed. Jane and I realized more and more that “the church” in our community is very evident outside the four walls of a building but the organized church should be the one that the leaders turn to for answers and input.

When the community is engaged in discussion on an early release facility for prisoners, the church should be engaged in the discussion. When Child Protective Services and CASA report the increase of children in foster care and not enough families available, the church should be saying, “Not on our watch.” We could apply that across the board to many other issues.

As we learned more about ministries like LOVE INC (love in the name of Christ) and were impressed with their efforts at unity, we were referred to LOVE INC in the Boise area where more than 50 churches banded together to provide services. A challenge to churches everywhere, not “union” but “unity.”

People are divided, even in the Christian community, but we can show that God is bigger than our disconnected lives. None of these effective ministries should have a need. Of course when we point fingers, there are three more pointing back at us! As we covered the ministries we realized what needs to be and can be done and that was convicting to us also.

Our purpose in this column is not to give a negative message or be condemning of anyone. Our prayer is that the “church” be visible and speak and provide with one voice.

Many churches have food banks, counseling and other ministries and are doing good things but there is a message and image to the community when we have the unified purpose and voice. Chuck Colson summarized all of this when he said, “Our task is to serve as society’s conscience, seeing all of live from God’s perspective and interpreting that vision in prudential terms for our fellow citizens. We don’t seek power; we seek a society where government promotes justice in all spheres of society and protects the public good.”

Here is a challenge to all churches in the area: Open Arms Pregnancy Center and Real Choices Clinic owns land and desperately needs a building to fulfill its mission in the community. Jan. 19 is Sanctity of Life Sunday in our nation. What if every church asked for a special offering from their members on that day to complete the building? What if that was paid for on one Sunday? What a message that would give! Please pray about that for your own church.

Our next columns will revisit some of the original ministries we met two years ago to update changes and needs — how things have changed and what the future holds.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28

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Bob Shillingstad’s columns run Saturdays in The Press. Email him: bjshill@mac.com