Matt Carter, Vance Pitman, and Adam Muhtaseb dive into practical ways churches can engage their cities and transform communities. They explore the importance of good works as reflections of faith and share stories of successful community service initiatives. The conversation emphasizes compassionate outreach over judgment, urging church leaders to prioritize love in their missions. They also discuss the emotional challenges of church planting and the critical role of community support in navigating these hurdles.
Engaging urban communities through good works not only demonstrates Christ's love but also facilitates deeper conversations about faith and the gospel.
Church planters should collaborate with local authorities and address community needs, fostering trust and goodwill to enhance their influence and participation.
Deep dives
Engaging Cities with Good Works
The discussion emphasizes the significance of engaging urban communities through good works as a pathway for sharing the gospel. Participants highlight that good works help demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus, which can open doors for meaningful conversations about faith. It is noted that care for the community allows church planters to build bridges into people's lives, making the gospel more accessible. This connection reinforces the idea that actions often speak louder than words, aligning with the adage that people need to feel cared for before they can truly listen.
The Role of Submission in Church Planting
A major insight is the necessity for church planters to submit to local authorities and seek collaborative partnerships within their communities. This submission fosters trust and goodwill, allowing churches to become active participants in addressing local needs rather than viewing themselves adversarially against societal structures. Examples are provided where church leaders proactively sought ways to serve their cities, which ultimately led to better relationships with governmental entities. Embracing a humble approach can create opportunities for influence and foster a cooperative spirit for community betterment.
Balancing Gospel Proclamation and Social Action
The podcast explores the delicate balance between social justice efforts and the central goal of preaching the gospel. While emphasizing the importance of good works, participants clarify that these actions should not overshadow the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. They discuss the risk of becoming overly focused on social issues at the expense of church gatherings and discipleship, stressing the necessity of integrating both aspects into a single mission. This alignment ensures that efforts to meet tangible needs also serve to invite individuals into a deeper conversation about their faith.
Cultivating a Culture of Service Within the Church
To foster a culture ready for good works, church leaders should incorporate service into their discipleship processes and community practices. Practical suggestions include allocating resources for benevolence funds, organizing service days, and creating systems that encourage congregants to engage with their local communities. Emphasizing the idea that serving others is an integral part of being a follower of Christ helps shift the mindset from isolated efforts to a church-wide commitment to service. By unleashing every member of the church to meet needs around them, the gospel can spread more organically and effectively throughout the city.
Host Noah Oldham is back with friends Matt Carter, Vance Pitman, and Adam Muhtaseb to share a little insight into what it means to engage your city and context all the while devoting yourself to good works through the lens of Titus 3:1-8. Uncover what it means for your church plant to foster a culture of good works so that your community will come to know the Lord and be changed by His gospel message of hope.
Noah Oldham serves as the Executive Director of Send Network. He planted August Gate Church in St. Louis, Missouri in 2009. Noah is a writer and speaker who holds a master’s in biblical studies and Christian leadership.
Matt Carter is Send Network’s Vice President of Mobilization and was the founding pastor of The Austin Stone Church in Texas. Matt earned a master’s of divinity from Southwestern Seminary, as well as a doctorate in expositional preaching from Southeastern Seminary.
Vance Pitman is the President of Send Network and was the founding pastor of Hope Church Las Vegas. Vance is an author and speaker who seek to inspire people to join in God’s mission of making disciples and multiplying churches.
Adam Muhtaseb serves as the Baltimore Send City Missionary and is a church planter and pastor at Redemption City Church in Baltimore, Maryland. He earned his master’s of divinity from Southeastern Seminary and was a recipient of the Joe B. Brown preaching award.
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