When we look at scripture and the stories of Jesus rarely to we see Jesus in the synagogue preaching. Rather most of the time we see Jesus teaching and spending time with others outside the walls of the Temple and touching lives. I hear a lot that The Salvation Army is the gospel with it’s sleeves rolled up, yet many times its like pulling teeth to get us out of our Holiness Meetings so we Be the Church. James 1:22 reminds us to not just be hears of the Word but Doers.
The Burlington, NC Corps is taking that verse literally as we continue to find ways to Be the Church in our community. This past Sunday April 21, The Burlington, NC Corps did something a little different. Lt. Jimmy Taylor challenged us to get out of our comfort zones and reach out into the community in which we serve.
The Burlington Corps is located right in the middle of neighborhood but for years very little has been done with and for our neighbors. The Taylor’s have made it a part of ministry to get out from inside our building and get into the community. We are being intentional about finding ways to touch the lost person next door. One way we are doing this is through our Be the Church Sunday initiative. On this particular Sunday we cancelled church, per se, and had church by doing simple work projects for our neighbors. Our soldiers and youth spent the hour that we typically would be in worship, planting flower beds for families in the community. We also had one special project where the men of the corps built a handrail for a neighbors wheelchair ramp.
So often we sing about doing good things and how Christ has saved us but we don’t tell others, nor do we intentionally show others the love of Christ. John 13:35, tells us that others will know we are Christians by our love. So lets be love so others will see our good works and glorify our father in heaven. Be the Church Sunday was an opportunity to stop thinking about doing something and simply do it. Some of our neighbors admittedly do not know the Lord and we had an opportunity to share Jesus with them. Each family allowed us to pray with them and were invited to church and other programs that we offer. It just took us walking down the street and being the Church.
