R=Reaching Our Communities

As we continue reflecting on the vision of Bronx Bethany, we move on to the second phrase: Reaching our communities at the point of their need.

Pastor Sam shared with us that we have several types of communities. There is the geographical community in which Bronx Bethany stands (the Northeast Bronx). There is the demographic community within and without the church, which is multicultural and multilingual. There is the sociological community, represented by varying levels of income and education. These communities have particular concerns, and part of our role is to be present to address their concerns through a Christ-centered lens.

Our church leadership has a three-part test, called the F.S.T. test, that each of us can use to assess where we stand concerning our community service.

1. Are we a fort, or a force? Do we come together to lock ourselves in the church and shield ourselves from the world, or do we boldly step out from behind the church walls in order to touch the communities we have been called to serve?
2. Are we engaged in satisfying ourselves, or are we engaged in serving? Does our programming revolve around the things we like, or does it revolve around the things the communities need?
3. Are we concerned about ourselves, or are we concerned about them? Pastor Sam reminded us of Rev.Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s comment concerning the parable of the Good Samaritan: The priest and the Levite avoided the wounded man because their concern was, "What will happen to me if I touch him?" The Good Samaritan's concern was, "What will happen to him if I don't touch him?"

So, on this Today that we will never see again, God has given His people opportunities to serve. Be a force for good. Be engaged in serving. Be concerned about the "them"s of the world.

You are called to carry the love of Jesus to a hurting and dying world. Who will you reach today?