The issues facing the world today, the catastrophe in diverse places, hunger, famine, moral decadence, crime, and war that is ravaging our cities towns and countries sends a clarion call to all human across the globe to lend her weight on seeking avenue to solving this plague. We live in a society that is in mess, despite the efforts of government and well meaning individuals and cooperate bodies, so the question now is how can the church more effectively bring the wisdom of God to the rulers and people in authorities and also to the society in general. The church in this context has been playing a very major role in her philosophy as an agent of turning lives around and building bridges of hope for the society to live in harmony. It is important here for the purpose of clarity to define the church in context of the role in societal transformation. The word church comes from a Greek word ecclesia which means called out company, assembly. A body of Christ (Acts7:38) The church is also defined as a local assembly or group of believers it is also universal group of all people who have trusted Christ through the ages
Personally I see the church as a group of persons who believe in the principles of Christ. From these definitions it is very obvious that it is the society that make up the church so the society cannot be devoid from the church. As we have faced the enormous challenge, the need to seek ways to alleviate the suffering and, in partnership together, to eliminate it’s cause. We are more that ever aware of the liberating and healing power of the good news of Jesus Christ. We gladly reaffirm, therefore our conviction that Jesus Christ alone is world peace, so only can alone restore and reconcile people to God and bringing hostiles to an end.
The church cannot be excluded in transforming the society.
We have seen from the missionary era how the two dominant churches,,,,,,, Catholic and Anglican before the advent of Pentecostalism or Protestantism made a lot of impact. We have seen missionary school built in many countries managed by God fearing priest who thought not only moral values but also discipline. The church has build institutions, civic centers, hospitals, maternity homes, orphanage home, resettlement centres. All these are geared in building a better and sustainable society. The church has also joined in shaping political sphere, even though people may argue that the church should not indulge in politics.
The church has build institutions, civic centers, hospitals, maternity homes, orphanage home, resettlement centres. All these are geared in building a better and sustainable society. The church has also joined in shaping political sphere, even though people may argue that the church should not indulge in politics. The concern for human life and the state of the world will not leave the church to intervene. If bad leaders are left to handle the political vehicle it will lead to tacit support to the evil plaguing the world. The church through her gospel of Jesus Christ has turned lives around. We have prostitutes turning to mothers, removing drug peddlers and addicts from the street and turning them to Christ. Many of these converts turning as great ministers of God.
Christ followers, therefore are called, in one way or another not to conform to the ills of society but to transform them (Rom.12:1-2,Eph.5:8-14) This callings follows from our confession that God loves the world and that the earth belongs to him. It is true that Satan is active in the world and claiming it belong to him. When God projected to the people Satan has to flee. The local church is the basic unit of Christian church society. The church in the new testament were men and women who have experienced transformation through receiving Christ as savoir, the society today reflect the life of those who have abide the tenets of Christ who in turn inject their life experience in rebuilding lives. In our present world we have seen the Church openly confronting social injustice, evil and all forms of criminality. The church has helped in shaping political system, drawing out good guidlines for building a mutual relationship between the both side
The local church havent understood it is a part of universal church has sought a genuine means of helping and sharing built on fellowship. The Vatican has played very significant role in unifying warring countries. In times of natural disasters, we seen church intervene by giving aids both in cash and materials resources. In reflection upon the Christian to human need, we have recognised the center place of the local church as a vehicle for communicating the gospel of Jesus Christ both in word and in deed. Churches around the world have through out history displayed active concern for the needy across the countries of the world. In Italy we see the church playing active role in restoring lives of the people devastated by wars, economic hardship, bad leadership in case of many African countries. They are helped securing jobs, houses and counseling. The church through the preaching glorious gospel of Jesus Christ their mentality and mind is transformed through their adherence to the belief of Jesus Christ has been transformed to begin great men and women who have rediscovered their values.
Even though there are general perception about the church by the media portraying church in bad light. Yet the Bible tells us that the church is bride of Christ. Finally i want to conclude that the society will be better when the church plays her role very well. The world should return to their creator who have final solution to human problem . As every human effort, technology, and human wisdom has failed. The true church of Jesus Christ therefore becomes the only panacea to human problems.
