hospital or harvest

One thing that stood out to me in our book was the idea that we often compare the church to a hospital. I’ve often heard the quote attributed to Abigal Van Buren “The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.” But I loved what McNabb said about it, “The church is supposed to build laborers, not hospitals. It is true that armies build hospitals and care for their people, but that’s not the principle around which they organize.” Yes, people come to church broken and in need... but it isn't the purpose of church.

We sometimes forget what we are meant to do. We're commanded to multiply. To reach all peoples and all nations. To glorify God. I agree with Dear Abby, the church should not be a museum for saints- we are all sinners. But it also needs to be a place of training and sending forth. A place to prepare laborers to go out into the fields. In Matthew 9 we clearly see that Jesus does both and if you continue into chapter 10 we see the disciple follow his lead healing both spiritual and physical ailments, but first they proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Mat 10:7).

35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.
36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;
38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

(Mat 9:35-38 ESV)

I think all too often we give ourselves excuses for not sharing the Good News. Maybe you feel like your life needs to be perfect and put together before you share. Guess who were among the ones sent out though? Judas. Peter. Thomas. Many of us relate to Peter or Thomas... but Judas? He committed the ultimate betrayal... but Jesus had sent him out too. He didn't wait for the disciples to be perfect before they went, yet we sometimes feel that way ourselves.

One other big thing that has stood out to me in the book and also in these verses is the compassion Jesus had for the crowds. He didn't blame them for being lost, he saw them as sheep without a shepherd. I believe that if you are proclaiming to believe in the Bible as God's word and instructions for how we should live, then we must do all that we can to live Christ centered lives, demonstrating God's love... but blaming the lost for being lost isn't going to help them be found. We must point them in the direction of the Good Shepherd and bring them into the fold. Generally speaking (and I know this is not always the case) Jesus gave the harshest corrections to those who claimed to be following God's laws. But those who had no pretenses and were aware of their shortcomings (and reminded by society of them), with them he had compassion... those are the people he chose to eat with.

Clarkston has opened my eyes to the need for more laborers. There are so many people here and so many needs. I've met so many people that have invited me to come to their homes and others who have just heard of me through friends and have asked to meet me, but I also have a family and cannot spend as much time as I'd like ministering to them and neglecting the ministry I have in the home. It's a balance and a struggle. I am not the only laborer here- we have an amazing group of believers here- but we need more- so many more! Not everyone is here with the program we're with, but God is using each person's gifts of themselves.

This is the breakdown of missionaries according to religion (the THUMB people – Tribal, Hindu, Unreligious (Chinese), Muslim, Buddhist):

Tribals – 714,108,000 – (9.7% of world population) – 11,900 Missionaries (1 for every 60,009)

Hindus – 984,532,000 – (13.4% of world population) – 5,500 Missionaries (1 for every 179,006)

Unreligious – 831,267,000 – (11.3% of world population) – 11,700 Missionaries (1 for every 71,048)

Muslims – 1,703,146,000 -(23.3% of world population) – 4,200 Missionaries (1 for every 405,510)

Buddhists – 520,002,000 – (7.1% of world population) – 2,000 Missionaries (1 for every 260,001)"

http://globalfrontiermissions.org/gfm-101-missions-course/state-of-the-world-the-task-remaining/

The numbers aren't as dismal here, but we need more people here getting ready to go there (wherever there might be). We also need more people here pouring into the unreached people here. Is your church fulfilling it's purpose as a church? Is it equipping laborers to go out into the harvest or is acting solely as a hospital for people who have heard and believe the good news?