Bridging The Gaps: Who are we?

“Nonprofits typically have a great reputation in the community. As a church we’ve decided that if we’re going to serve our city, we’re going to do so in ways that benefit our city, not just us. Nonprofits are typically of the city and for the city. But that’s not the reputation of the church. Most people outside the church see our efforts and instantly question our agenda […] we’re often limited in what we can do, where we can go, and how much we can get accomplished. While nonprofits are often the most well-connected organizations in the city, churches remain some of the most isolated voices in our community. Nonprofits know city officials and school administrators, are connected to resources, and know who the “go to” people are. What we can spend months spinning our wheels on, a well-connected nonprofit can make happen in days.” Excerpt from “Barefoot Church” by Brandon Hatmaker

As I read over this excerpt from the “Barefoot Church” part of me wants to cry out with an exuberant YES to those churches who go out to serve their city just of the sake of loving others well, while the other side of me feels the pain of church leaders that feel stretched and pressured inside and outside the four walls of the church to just “do more”. As a Christian nonprofit in our community we long to see the revitalization of our city and local churches being empowered and lead outside the four walls of their churches to make the greatest impact in our neighborhoods and communities. Revive Ministries is a true parachurch organization that is focused on Christian Community Development work and one of our top core values is local church empowerment, and protection I might add! That is who we are, so as to answer the question in the title of this blog, however, I would like to go down the proverbial “rabbit trail” a bit further with you, if that’s ok?

Good. There is really just a few things I would like to share from my heart in regards to who we are and what we are about in our community. Maybe these few items will develop further down the road as we grow and mature as a ministry but for now these are just a few of my ramblings on our identity as a gospel-centered nonprofit in our community.

1. We are not a church. I know your thinking in your heads “ok captain obvious” now tell us something we didn’t already know! The reality is we have to very clear on this not only for our sake but also for the sake of those who will come and serve along side us. The Church is a local assembly of believers ordained by God to who have committed themselves to one another. They gather regularly for the teaching of the word, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer (Acts 2:42). Of course there are the sacraments, biblical structure of leadership, discipline of church members and much more. The primary role or call of the Church is the ministry of the Word of God! “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:3–4)
2. We are an intermediary ministry; a centralized community connection. One of the best reasons for a nonprofit ministry to exist is to bring people together who are passionately committed to the gospel but who might not agree on every secondary doctrine. This is what we love about who we are! We have the unique opportunity to bring together churches from different backgrounds and denominations, working together to have the greatest impact on our communities and for the glory of God! One example of this was just about a month ago when we hosted a community wide event out of a local coffee shop, J’s place, who happens to be one of our Kingdom Market partners (more on that another time), where we brought together 5 different churches to serve over 500 people over a couple hours to serve the children of our city! How stinking cool is that!We are effective by allowing groups from various churches to spend time honing specific skills to reach a certain people group or to serve with the intent of loving on others (I John 4:19). Our intent is for Christians to join together for gospel work across a wide spectrum of denominational affiliations. One of the advantages we have as a nonprofit is that we have the freedom to approach such work creatively across the many different groups. One thing we must guard ourselves on is pragmatism, simply for the fact that we could begin to put more trust in our programs, skills, techniques and execution of plans than we do in trusting Holy Spirits leading and in the clear commands found in scriptures.

We as a nonprofit in our community need transparent and honest relationships with every church we partner with, and should invite critique from those churches. We are not above reproach. We believe we would gain much from submitting, as an organization, to the leaders of healthy gospel-centered churches. That is our commitment to our local church fellowships and it is our hope that we will continue to form and forge partnerships that make the greatest impact to the world around us. Starting right here in Jessamine County, Kentucky and beyond!

Originally published at revivetomission.com.