Deprecated: Creation of dynamic property ET_Builder_Module_Comments::$et_pb_unique_comments_module_class is deprecated in /home/csmediatexas/murphymonitor/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/class-et-builder-element.php on line 1425
Collin Summer Reg 2025

The ‘C’ word

by | Jul 9, 2015 | Opinion

By Keith Spurgin, Lead Pastor of New Hope Church in Wylie www.newhopechristian.org.

Editor’s note: This is the second of a two-part column.

Last week I wrote about why for so many the ‘c’ word – church, is a bad word. This week I want to share why I think the church is not only relevant to our day but important for the betterment of our world. Last week I was honest about the downfalls, but it’s important to also talk about the other side.

The church is the place where hundreds of millions of lives are being transformed for good. It’s the people of God working hard around the world to help the needy, feed the hungry, serve a hurting world, share the love of Christ, and give hope to the despairing. The church is the place where, even when a gunman walks into a Bible Study in Charleston killing 9 people in cold blood, the survivors respond otherworldly with forgiveness and grace.

I’ve spent the last couple decades traveling the world fairly extensively. I lived in Asia for several years. I’ve spent significant time in Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa, and all across America. In those travels I’ve spent time with the very wealthy and the very poor. I’ve sat in the shack of a dying Aids victim trying to bring some level of comfort and I’ve dined with some of the wealthiest entrepreneurs Asia has to offer. In that time, I’ve noticed some things over and over again. With all the good work that governments around the world are attempting to do, it mostly comes down to pumping money into relatively hopeless situations. Sometimes that money gets to the people its intended to help and too often it simply lines the pockets of corrupt government officials. The difference I’ve seen over and over again is when the people of God are involved, the money from governments, from generous individuals and foundations almost always gets where it’s meant to go.

Here’s what I’ve seen…

  • Most the work among the poor being done around the world is instigated by the church
  • Almost all the work being done to rescue victims of sex trafficking is being spearheaded by the church
  • The civil rights movement in America was led by a church pastor named Martin Luther King Jr.
  • The worldwide orphan crisis around the world is primarily being addressed by the church
  • Aids in sub-Saharan Africa is being engaged by the church
  • The vast majority of charitable giving in America is done by church people

At the end of the day the church is not about buildings, money, organizations or politics. The church is the people of God serving God together.

If you love the idea of family then you love the church

If you love knowing there is a place and a people in the world who accept you just like you are and love you so much they are going to encourage you to your fullest potential then you love the church

If you believe that we should care deeply and always make room for the hurting, the broken, those trapped in addiction, lost in sin, marred by their mistakes, the doubters, the scoffers, those who have less than we do, then you believe in the mission of the church

If you long for the power of God to change lives, heal the sick, restore the broken, fill the empty, and bring joy to the hurting, then you belong in the church

If you long to be known, loved, nurtured, challenged to grow beyond your self-induced limitations then the church is the place for you

And if you love Jesus and want to follow him at any cost, then you ARE the church!

 

NTMWD 2025

0 Comments

Public Notice - Subscribe

Related News

Polished

Polished

Columnist John Moore still shines his own shoes. As long as he can find the polish to buy. Courtesy John Moore In some cultures, people wash the feet of guests who arrive at their home. At my parents’ house, I didn’t wash the feet of guests, but I did offer to shine...

read more
The chain gang

The chain gang

Columnist John Moore misses the old chain stores, one of which, Gibson’s, still exists in Kerrville, Texas. Courtesy John Moore Online shopping has turned us into couch potatoes who buy more than we ever used to. Adding items to an imaginary cart and clicking, “Buy...

read more
A free gift inside

A free gift inside

Columnist John Moore eats a lot of jelly, but not for the reason you might think. Courtesy John Moore My sister and I would make a beeline for the cereal aisle at the Piggly Wiggly while my mom did the shopping.  Decisions, decisions. Did we want to roll the dice...

read more
Jumping to conclusions

Jumping to conclusions

Columnist John Moore finds himself a little lost with new technology. Sometimes lost a lot. Courtesy John Moore Folks aren’t counting on each other like we were 50 years ago. And technology is the wedge that’s come between us. Our parents didn’t worry about us much...

read more
Gardens and Grandma

Gardens and Grandma

Columnist John Moore didn’t like gardens as a kid. That’s changed thanks to his grandmothers. Courtesy John Moore As a kid, I hated the vegetable garden. If you stood on our back porch, it was to your left. It took up the entire corner of our large yard. To me,...

read more
He’s still got it

He’s still got it

Columnist John Moore is the keeper of his family’s history. Including his parents’ vintage grandfather clock. Courtesy John Moore The difference in a collector and a pack rat is whether you’re rich or poor. Those with money are considered refined and people of taste....

read more
A numbers game

A numbers game

You don't see phone books much anymore. But even when they were around, columnist John Moore was nowhere to be found in one. Courtesy John Moore For those of us who once made our living working on the radio, one of the main competitors we had for advertising dollars...

read more
What a trip

What a trip

Traveling isn't columnist John Moore's favorite activity. He's pictured here with his father on a camping trip circa 1966. Courtesy John Moore Bruce Willis ad libbed a line in Die Hard that struck a chord with me. No, not the “Yipee Ki-Yay,” line. I think...

read more
Kitsch me if you can

Kitsch me if you can

Columnist John Moore grew up with yard art, and still proudly displays a concrete gargoyle out on the front porch. Photo: John Moore Pink flamingos. Chalk and concrete figures. Cast iron pots with flowers. Old school bells. Cars on blocks. The yard art of yesterday....

read more
Public Notice - Subscribe