1.2 - The Role Of The Church In The Local Community Flashcards
Why are Christians involved with others
In parable of sheep and goat, Jesus told disciples whatever they did for someone else they did for Jesus
Jesus welcomed sinners, so modern day Christians work with sinners and outcasts
Tell me Matthew 25:35-36
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, i was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me”
Helps explains why Christians help
What’s a food bank
People volunteer to help collect, sort and distribute food
Many people help because of their religious backround or that they just want to help others and some as a form of service
Tell me about the trussell trust
1997, founded a food bank garage
In 2004 launched the first and biggest uk wide food bank network - teaching churches and communities how to set up food banks in their areas
Vision is to end poverty and hunger in uk through giving compassionate, practical help and campaigning for justice
How does a food bank work
Professionals such as police, doctors and social service workers identify those in need of help and issue vouchers
Food bank exchanges vouchers for 3 days worth of food of nutritionally balanced and healthy food
Food donated from public with supermarkets playing a prominent role and volunteers sorting out the food
Tell me about the Salvation Army
It’s a Christian denomination founded in 19th century. They were shocked by deprivation they saw around them and unconcern of churches
Work with poor and disadvantaged
What work can be done by Salvation Army
Setting up soup kitchens and hostels for the homeless
Toy distribution at Christmas
Advice that helps people to get rid of and stay out of debt
Give employment guidance and information
Give emergency assistance, for example food, meals, clothes, baby supplies, showers
Providing community vegetable gardens where people can grow their own food
Collecting and redistributing unwanted furniture
Raising awareness of the issue of human trafficking
What are street pastors
Christians drawn from local churches that go out into streets of some big cities Friday and Saturday from 10pm to 4 am usually to care for physical and spiritual needs of young clubbing people who might be drinking heavily or getting into fights
Offer to listen and help all they come across, regardless of their views and behaviour
How do people become street pastors
Undergo several months of training locally or regionally before being given commission
They have a special service to seek gods blessing on this particular and very challenging kind of ministry to the local community
Before going out they will gather for a prayer
Over 20,000 street pastors in uk
What’s the st Vincent de Paul society
Roman Catholic society who help and visit sick, feed the hungry, help the homeless, befriend the lonely, help is given to anyone
What work does the st Vincent de Paul society
Repairing and restoring donated furniture to give those who need it
Support centres giving debt advice, counselling and providing training in literacy, numeracy and ict
Providing support for asylum seekers
Running community shops and food banks in areas where there’s great poverty
Provide holidays for disadvantaged children and families
Running hostels for newly released prisoners, homeless and mentally ill people
Soup kitchens
Activities for disabled people
What’s mission
Means “a sending” belief that you have been sent to do something
What’s evangelism
Term used for spreading the word of Christ, by way of preaching the gospel
What type of faith is Christianity
Has always been a missionary faith and over centuries it has spread throughout the world
What’s the church army
Is a lay (not ordained) Anglican organisation committed to evangelism
Evangelists trained over 4 years and are licensed by Church of England and Ireland to work through the uk
Committed to enabling people to find faith, showing the love of God as revealed in Christ, encourage the church as a whole and locally to live up to its calling
What work does the church army do
Running clubs for children, and working with families
Projects for young people eg church army bus - teenagers can chat over coffee and there’s an adventure project for troubled and vulnerable teenagers
Working with drug addicts
Acting as chaplains, for example in hospitals or in prisons
Visit elderly and provide luncheon clubs for them
Provide alternative forms to church
What’s the ichthus fellowship
Started with intention of evangelising by planting churches throughout London and Kent - movement has now spread and there are many link churches
One aim is to worship Jesus
- through worship, bible studies, shared meals, serving those in need,
How does ichthus differ from traditional denominations
Celebrations where people from a number of churches come together
Congregations where local church’s meet for worship and service to the community
Cells where smaller meeting for Prayer, discussion and support in the fatigue occur in homes
What are fresh expression of church
It describes new churches that are different in approach from The churches that planted them because they are intended for a different group of people from those already attending the original church
The from of the new church fits the location and context of planting it - often not traditional - church for surfers and another four young people in a skate park, found in cafes, pubs and schools too
Intended for those who have never been to church or who don’t want to go back - aim to attract new “disciples for Christ”
When Jesus called his disciples he said “follow me and I will make you fishers of men”
What are the priorities of the spring harvest
Deliver the bible teaching and seek gods presence in worship inspired by the Holy Spirit and there are some activities for children and teenagers
Some have a first personal experience of God, and to deepen the commitment of others
