If you spend a lot of time with digital news and social media (please don’t) you might think that conservative and liberal Christians have little in common and that we despise each other because of our doctrinal disputes over gay clergy, transgender people, abortion, etc. But down here in the pews, it’s mostly about the work of the church — caring for your congregation, your neighborhood and the wider world. Jesus asked us to “make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19) by “feeding his sheep” (John 21:17).
My layperson’s interpretation of Jesus’ commands is that he wants us to improve people’s lives — feeding, sheltering, visiting, healing — caring for them in the myriad ways that one person can show love to another. Once we do that, they will have a better idea of who he is and may be moved to become his followers too. The beauty of the church is that we meet every week to worship and to face human need, both near and far, together.
It is a unique uniting force in society. Yes, the church has done some terrible things historically, which I acknowledge and condemn. But that same sin and corruption that drives wars and injustice and abuse also exist outside the church.
In my experience, the church has been an overwhelmingly positive force. Which brings me to my annual sojourn to Hampton County with Salkehatchie Summer Service. Since 1978, Salk has brought United Methodists and other people of faith together to spend a week rehabilitating homes fo.