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Kevin Hommel

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What is the greatest need in your community, and would you work together with a Christian church to meet that need?

Heartsong Church in Memphis, TN is working on a project called Seeing 2020: What the Christian church should look like in 2020. It's all about engaging the needs of the community, and serving along side the people in the community, regardless of their faith.

Topics: christian faith love service
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    Gail . 50+

    • +1
    Mar 11 2013: No, because in my area, it is rare that my values are compatible with the values of ANY of the churches in my area. .

    By and large, I see that which Christians call "charity" as being nothing short of abuse. As I don't want to abuse anyone, it is better that I refuse to participate.

    (If I were still living in northern New England, my answer would probably be different, depending on the church. Here in the Southern Bible Belt, Christians are mean, arrogant, judgmental, self-righteous, angry, and pushy people whom I prefer to avoid whenever possible.)

    the greatest need in my community is kindness and treating others with the same respect that they would like to receive. I can't imagine a church in this area giving a sermon about this, let alone encouraging the practice of it.

    • Kevin Hommel

      • 0
      Mar 11 2013: I appreciate your honesty. This is why I posed the question the way I did. Our group often finds it difficult to associate with the name Christian because of how many people claiming the name butcher what Jesus really had/has in mind. 'Charity' is a tough one, and I tend to agree with you that many groups, while well-intentioned, do more damage than good. It's ironic that you say you can't imagine a church giving a sermon on kindness, as this is the foundation for the Golden Rule. All churches should teach the Golden Rule (ours does, by the way), since Jesus said this is the essence of all that is taught in the law and prophets (Matthew 7:12). I hate that your experience of 'church' in the south has been one where many appear to claim the name Christian, but few appear to follow Christ's teachings. If you find yourself in Memphis, Heartsong might be a pleasant change. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here.

  • greg dahlen 20+

    • +1
    Mar 10 2013: In general my community is doing pretty well. Yes, I would partner with a church to work on an issue.

  • Sunil Benedict

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    Mar 5 2013: Education and Health care are the practical needs for most regions in the world. Yes, there is poverty too, but that cannot be solved unless one enables people to move up in their economic activity and this is linked to education too.

  • george lockwood 20+

    • +1
    Mar 5 2013: Yes, churches have always helped in education, hospitals, feeding the poor, etc.
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