Les Henson
The church is called to faithfully follow Jesus out into the world to serve the world and meet the world's needs instead of constantly focusing on itself. Thus, the church can only become a place of refuge if it ceases to be a ghetto. The church is to engage in a twofold movement: First, it moves out or rather, the Spirit thrusts it out to engage the world on its ground, not ours. In doing so, it communicates the gospel in word, deed, life and relationship, seeking that God's kingdom would be established on earth as it is in heaven. The second movement is inward gathering together of a faithful community of believers that acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord. In gathering, it provides both a place of refuge from the world and a launching pad back into the world. Thus, the church becomes:
A place of safety, fellowship, communion, and learning.
A place where one another's needs are met.
A place where the Lord is honoured and worshipped.
The church also becomes a holy instrument in the service of God for the sake of the world.
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