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The author ponders the intersection of three of her experiences as a researcher and consultant with congregations: (1) observations of a current movement among evangelical churches called "The Externally Focused Church Movement," (2) research on the family life of congregants and their felt needs, and (3) research on the relationship of community service and the Christian faith development of those serving. She concludes that social work currently has a unique opportunity to provide leadership for congregations focused on engaging their members in service to neighbors locally and globally. Moses' decision to investigate the burning bush (Exodus 3) is used as a metaphor for this watershed moment for Christian social workers.
Key Words: congregation; congregational social work; church social work; Christian social ministries, volunteers; volunteering; voluntarism; faith development; Christian service; social work and ministry
I BEGIN WITH THREE STORIES FROM MY WORK AS A SOCIAL WORK EDUCAtor. I will then describe how these three experiences, taken together, have led me to conclude that we are now faced with a moment unlike any other for us as Christians in the history of the social work profession.
Story 1: The Externally Focused Church Movement
I have been fascinated by what has been called "the externally focused church movement." Rick Rusaw, a leader in this movement, is pastor of Lifebridge Church in Longmont, Colorado. Several years ago, I heard him say in a sermon at a conference:
People don't grow until they serve. One of our members was serving in a halfway house and a man there asked him to pray. He said "I don't know how, but I'll go get one [a prayer] and be right back." He came to me to ask for a prayer. And so I helped him learn to pray (Rusaw, 2008).
Faith finds expression as action in service as a neighbor to those in need; service is our way of showing our love for Christ (Matthew 25:3 146). In turn, the doing of faith through service drives us to prayer and Bible study and worship, as this servant in the halfway house illustrates. Too many Christians have gone at faith development backwards. We have acted as though people are called first to develop an orthodox faith, to worship and pray, and...