The Glocal Church

Last Friday I took a nasty fall. I broke two ribs and lacerated my liver. I was admitted to the hospital on Friday afternoon and dismissed Saturday evening. The Dr. was concerned because I had internal bleeding and there was a slight chance I may have required surgery if the hemorrhaging didn’t subside. Well, through a long night of blood work, taking my vital signs, etc… the surgeon said Saturday that my hemorrhaging had not gotten worse and had subsided enough that he would let me go home, after I could properly digest my lunch.

Once I got home I was pretty miserable, not being able to move around and struggling to get around in my home. Nevertheless, it has been a trying few days.

Well today is Tuesday, and although I’m still hurting, however, much of the severe pain has subsided. I am in the office today, for a half day, as I make my way toward a full recovery.

Why do I post all of this? Well, the Glocal Church, which I serve, realizes that its purpose is more than reaching-out, but its also reaching-in. It exists not just to reach the un-churched, wherever they may be. It also exists to provide care and ministry to the members of its own body, especially when a need arises.

My church family has been wonderful as they have demonstrated love through calls, visits, and notes reminding me that they were praying for me. Thank you FBCE church family for putting your love into actions. I love and appreciate you!

After reading Ed Stetzer’s and David Putnam’s Breaking the Missional Code, I realized that for a congregation to truly be an Acts 1:8, on-mission church, it had to build and maintain a healthy and balanced approach in all areas of the ”Mission Field.” That includes local, regional, national, and international missions. Furthermore, for a church to become relevant to those living in their community, and in what many are calling a ”Post – Christian” culture, they must intentionally invest in relevant relationships with their Friends, Relatives, Work Associates, and Neighbors. The cause of Christ will be advanced at the intersection of relevant relationships between Christ-followers, and those in their sphere of influence.

Any Thoughts?