The most rewarding work for anyone is to bring up and raise up people. And the most frustrating work for anyone is also to bring up and raise up people. When we get hurt by people, we begin to lose the joy, purpose and mission of our own lives. But the hurt by people is only healed by people. We find out much later that the tears and suffering caused by people were the seeds for our happiness in the future.
I arrived in U.S. 22 years ago to further my studies and started a pioneering church for the immigrants 18 years ago. Since then I experienced the joy and happiness of serving people in the church, the glorious moment of dedicating our new church building, the painful moments of some members leaving and many worthy events shared with the congregation. During the journey filled with joy and pain, I have learned that the most precious thing is not money, building, academic degree, fame or career, but the relationship with the people of God.
A church exists for the purpose of saving people and its main goal is to bring up and encourage people, before expanding the church building. A church is not a survival community, but a Body of Jesus Christ to die for the sake of saving people. Lord Jesus said in John 6:40, “For my father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” He made it clear that the purpose of him being here was to give eternal life, and raise up people.
Jewish people are known to let their children give their donations to the poor to teach them the lesson of charity. Remembering that the fragrance of rose will remain in the hands of the giver of rose bouquet, we should regard the others in the church who are suffering from broken relationships as the most precious and love them according to the command from Jesus 2,000 years ago.
A church is not a building, but a gathering of people. A church’s role in this world is to help its members who confess that Jesus is their Lord and Savior, so that they can save and heal the people and intercede for them.
After the resurrection when Jesus was ascending to heaven, he left behind churches that embody his ‘other self’ and his ‘dreams’. And we are all called to be Jesus’ fellow workers.
(* Article: Rev. Jaewoong Chang, Long Island Korean UMC, NY) at Pleasant Hill