A Church "of" the Community

Many people think of church as being a building "in" a community where people gather to worship at a set time on Sunday mornings. These types of churches do not really make a difference in their communities. I think that the church should be a church "of" the community where we are deeply involved relationally around issues that move well beyond the walls of any type of church building. Following Jesus is a 24/7 relationship, so the church is not just about a Sunday morning experience. As followers of Jesus, our relationships should extend well beyond the "holy huddle" of relationships with other Christians or church members to enter into every part of society throughout the week. It is wonderful to gather together at a church building on Sunday mornings to worship the Lord, but we gather together to worship so that we can go out into the world to advance God's mission to reach every part of society throughout the other days of the week. God's profound and unending love transcends space and time (or church buildings with worship services at set times). So, my great hope with the North Way East End church campus is that we will be a church "of" the community, not a church "in" the community.