Church Community: How Contemporary Churches Engage with Social Issues and Challenges?

A contemporary church

The church is not only a place of worship but also a community of believers who are called to love God and love their neighbours. As followers of Jesus Christ, Christians are challenged to live out their faith in practical ways that reflect God’s heart for the world. This means that the church has a responsibility to engage with the social issues and challenges that affect the people and the planet, such as poverty, justice, and environmental stewardship.

In this blog post, we will explore how contemporary churches are responding to these issues and challenges and what they can do to make a positive difference in their communities and beyond.

Church Community: Poverty

Poverty is one of the most pressing problems in the world today. According to the World Bank, more than 700 million people live on less than $1.90 a day, and more than 1.3 billion live on less than $3.20 a day1. Poverty affects people’s health, education, dignity, and opportunities and often traps them in a cycle of deprivation and exploitation.

The church has a biblical mandate to care for the poor and the marginalized, as Jesus said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). The church also has a historical legacy of serving the poor and the oppressed, as many social movements and institutions, such as hospitals, schools, and charities, were founded or influenced by Christians.

Today, many contemporary churches are continuing this tradition of compassion and action by partnering with local and global organizations that work to alleviate poverty and empower the poor. For example, some churches support microfinance programs that provide small loans and training to low-income entrepreneurs, especially women, to help them start or grow their businesses and improve their livelihoods2. Some churches sponsor children in developing countries through organizations like Compassion International or World Vision to provide them with education, health care, nutrition, and spiritual guidance3. Some churches organize food drives, soup kitchens, clothing donations, and homeless shelters to meet the immediate needs of the poor in their communities4.

By engaging with the issue of poverty, contemporary churches are not only fulfilling their Christian duty but also demonstrating God’s love and grace to the world.

Church Community: Justice

Justice is another important issue that the church needs to address in the light of the gospel. Justice is the concept of fairness, equality, and human rights that God has established for his creation. As the psalmist declares, “The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love” (Psalm 33:5).

However, the reality is that many people in the world suffer from injustice and oppression, such as racism, sexism, human trafficking, corruption, violence, and persecution. These forms of injustice violate God’s will and harm his image-bearers and, therefore, require the church’s response and intervention.

Contemporary churches are rising to the challenge of pursuing justice and advocating for the oppressed, both locally and globally. For example, some churches are involved in the fight against human trafficking, which is the illegal trade of people for forced labour or sexual exploitation. According to the International Labour Organization, there are an estimated 40.3 million victims of human trafficking worldwide, of which 71% are women and girls5. Some churches partner with organizations like International Justice Mission or A21, which rescue and restore victims of trafficking, prosecute traffickers, and prevent trafficking from happening6. Some churches also raise awareness and funds for the cause and pray for the victims and the workers.

Another example of how contemporary churches are engaging with justice is by addressing the issue of racial reconciliation. In light of the recent events and movements that have exposed the deep-rooted and systemic racism that still plagues many societies, especially in the US, many churches are taking steps to repent, learn, listen, and act to promote racial harmony and justice. Some churches are hosting dialogues and workshops on topics such as white privilege, implicit bias, and cultural diversity to educate and equip their members to be more aware and sensitive to the experiences and perspectives of people of color7. Some churches are also forming partnerships and friendships with churches of different ethnicities and backgrounds to foster mutual understanding and support8.

By engaging with the issue of justice, contemporary churches are not only obeying God’s command but also reflecting God’s character and kingdom to the world.

Church Community: Stewardship

Environmental stewardship is another issue that the church should not ignore or neglect as it relates to God’s creation and mission. Environmental stewardship is the responsible use and care of the natural resources and ecosystems that God has entrusted to humanity. As the first book of the Bible states, “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground” (Genesis 1:28).

However, the reality is that many people in the world are abusing and exploiting the environment rather than stewarding it. According to the United Nations, human activities have caused unprecedented changes and damage to the environment, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, water scarcity, and pollution9. These environmental problems threaten not only the well-being and survival of many species and ecosystems but also the health and livelihoods of many people, especially people experiencing poverty and the vulnerable.

Contemporary churches are recognizing the need and the opportunity to engage with the issue of environmental stewardship as part of their Christian faith and witness. For example, some churches are adopting eco-friendly practices and policies, such as reducing their energy consumption, recycling their waste, using renewable sources of power, and planting trees and gardens10. Some churches are also educating and inspiring their members to be more conscious and respectful of the environment and to make lifestyle changes that reduce their ecological footprint11. Some churches are also supporting and collaborating with organizations and movements that work to protect and restore the environment and to advocate for environmental justice12.

By engaging with the issue of environmental stewardship, contemporary churches are not only honouring God’s creation but also participating in God’s mission to the world.

Conclusion

The church is not an isolated or irrelevant institution but a dynamic and influential community that is called to engage with the social issues and challenges of the world. By addressing the issues of poverty, justice, and environmental stewardship, contemporary churches are demonstrating their relevance and impact and, more importantly, their faithfulness and obedience to God and his purposes. As the apostle Paul wrote, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).

Sources

World Bank. (2020). Poverty. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/poverty/overview

Kiva. (n.d.). About us. https://www.kiva.org/about

Compassion International. (n.d.). How child sponsorship works. https://www.compassion.com/how-child-sponsorship-works.htm

The Salvation Army. (n.d.). Feeding the hungry. https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/combating-hunger/

International Labour Organization. (2017). Global estimates of modern slavery: Forced labour and forced marriage. https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/—dgreports/—comm/documents/publication/wcms_575479.pdf

International Justice Mission. (n.d.). Our work. https://www.ijm.org/our-work

Be the Bridge. (n.d.). About us. https://bethebridge.com/about-us/

Mosaix. (n.d.). About us. http://www.mosaix.info/about-us/

United Nations. (n.d.). Environment. https://www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/environment/

A Rocha. (n.d.). Who we are. https://arocha.org/en/who-we-are/

Creation Care. (n.d.). About us. https://creationcare.org/about-us/

GreenFaith. (n.d.). About us. https://greenfaith.org/about-us/