EMPOWERING THE LOCAL CHURCH
The moment Adam rebelled against God in the Garden everything God created became corrupt. Since that moment God has been redeeming the carnage that began with Adam, resolving the brokenness and restoring all things to himself. By following the Apostle Paul’s dialogue in Ephesians chapters 1-3 one realizes the important role of the church. Ephesians 1:22-23 states “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in everyway.” As believers in Christ, the church (local and global, individual and corporate) should be a representative of God’s fullness in everything and in every way. The church should be the most compelling poverty alleviation advocate that exists! The church will never be perfect, but this is God’s intention as revealed to Believers through the apostle Paul.
Paul continues this thought in Ephesians 3:10, “His intent was that now through the church the manifold wisdom of God should be made known.” The Oxford Dictionary defines “manifold” as: “many and various, having many different forms or elements.” The wisdom of God is multi-dimensional, expansive and seeks to include the restoration of all that was broken in the fall. As the church obeys Christ’s purpose, it administers his agenda and declares the manifold wisdom of God. This results in some major ecclesiastical implications! I believe the scriptures are clear, that God desires to accomplish His redemptive purposes through using the church (local and global, individual and corporate).
Since the local church is composed of sinful people, it is not without flaws. However, one should realize that this is the agent that God has utilized to demonstrate and carry out His intentions. As Christians seek to eliminate and combat poverty, they should also realize the important role the church has in this process. Whether it is a group of local believers united together to make a difference or an organized structured church established in the vulnerable area, these indigenous groups can and should be a strong ally for Christian relief and transformation. Not only will the church have the opportunities to make lasting relations with those being served (which should be an open door for working on the roots of reconciliation) but the church also has important ownership in making this change to better their community. A local church that grasps its role in holistic transformation can work at the roots of the problem much more effectively and more quickly than outside organizations because of its prior relationships and knowledge of the culture. Though often times limited in material resources, a local church with a heart for transformation can still have a profound impact on a congregation that trusts in God’s multiplying power while living out his manifold wisdom. Empowering indigenous people and the local church to transform their own communities is the most effective weapon against global poverty.
Sometimes limitations and circumstances may arise when the resources of the local church are not enough to serve the needs or crisis of the community. When this happens it is often necessary to enlist the services of other outside resources. Whenever possible, it is important to encourage the local church to implement a poverty alleviation plan. Reaching and encouraging the local church to grasp this responsibility can be filled with a multitude of challenges. Nevertheless, incredible rewards await when the church is empowered and equipped to be the agent and leader of poverty alleviation and transformation in their community.
THE CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
The issue that faces Christians today is not whether money should be given to alleviate poverty. In fact, one could argue that more money could and should be given. Rather the question is, are the resources given being used to fight poverty while also working at the root of the problem to bring long-term sustainable transformation. Helping the poor and poverty alleviation are two distinctive duties. Christians are clearly called to help the poor, that is an undisputable biblical mandate for those who follow and claim Jesus as Lord, but they are also called, as well, to have a deeper impact on the effects of poverty. Poverty alleviation begins with the reconciliation power of Jesus. A redeemed life should result in a biblical value system, which establishes Godly behaviors and ultimately results in positive consequences. The poverty of man is a profound and multi-dimensional issue, so any effort to truly alleviate poverty should also be multi-faceted and diverse. There are a multitude of ways Christians can give money to be cost effective, which is important and valuable, but seeking impact effectiveness and transformation should be the goal.
Partnering with organizations or local churches that see poverty not from the secularist worldview of solely material resources, but rather from a biblical worldview rooted in the brokenness of our fundamental relationships could result in an eternal investment that is immeasurable. I believe the biblical method of poverty alleviation is partnering with groups and churches that seek to care for the needy while at the same time connecting the individual to the greater need of reconciliation with God. The task is not easy and the results may not be immediate, but the calling is clear. Christians should not be distracted from the target, but rather compelled to be God’s agents of reconciliation seeking to alleviate poverty and to encourage others to live in healthy relationships with God, others, themselves and all of creation.
