A Factory Of Mercy
Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash
Congregations Need To Be Factories Of Mercy, Not Proclaimers of Judgment
by Eric Elkin
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”
In the 18th Century, not every immigrant coming to America sought religious freedom. When I served a church in rural Pennsylvania, I remember reading a story about two immigrants who landed in Philadelphia with one goal - to get lost. The two brothers wanted to hide from Christian proselytizers seeking to save their souls.
European churches were run by the state. These churches were funded by taxes and served as the eyes and ears of the government. Worship attendance, or lack of, was reported to state authorities. Rulers were informed about any person who expressed a dangerous opinion. In some countries, citizens needed to present certificates confirming they confessed their sins when paying their taxes.
The classic story about Norwegian immigration to the Dakota territory, Giants In The Earth, paints a less than positive view of church life. Those immigrants didn't want any holy man coming in, taking their money and telling them how to live. The last thing they wanted was a church.
Snow storms, locust swarms, poverty, hunger, loneliness, and homesickness began to change their minds. Soon, building a church became a community-wide initiative. However, this Church would not be created by government officials but by the people. What emerged was a more compassionate Church.
“The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive.”
These new churches provided education to children. They helped the congregation members secure medical treatment and delivered food to hungry neighbors and clothing to those in need. When tragedy struck, members of the congregation surrounded the victims with support.
Today, religion is in decline in rural areas once dominated by small active churches. They have been replaced by opioid addiction, depression, and a desire for personal freedom. Many sermons I hear from these regions sound like people who desire a return to a state church model. Conditions are not much different in urban areas.
Perhaps it is an excellent time to hear and digest these words of Jesus. The Church should be about justice. In the Bible, justice is about law and order. However, it is equally concerned about seeking out vulnerable people and ensuring they receive the basic necessities for life.
Congregations should be factories of mercy, not proclaimers of judgment. These communities should also trust in the promises of God. These promises tell us no matter how much you fall down, God still loves you and grants you forgiveness, grace, and new life. That is a church model I can wrap my arms around.
Click to read Matthew 23: 23-26
Reflection Questions:
What is your image of the Church?
When do you feel the Church is at its worst? When is it at its best?
How much does your personal behavior shape the life of a congregation?
How can you become a personal factory of mercy?
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