Focus Scripture: Isaiah 59:15-21
Some people might say that the fundamental work of the church is saving souls and promoting healing and wholeness among God’s people. One vision for the church encompasses the institution’s power to pass along the Christian heritage from one generation to the next. The view of the church must be large because “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Prov. 29:18). The church must be able to embrace the vision of Amos, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and other prophets in the watchtower. These prophets shared a powerful message, reminding us to remain vigilant as witnesses in a world where the boundaries between sacred and secular are blurred and where the truth is often obscured. The church must be able to exert force in the battle against injustice that persists because of structures of oppression in our society. Until the balance of power shifts, these structures will remain in place. Standing still and watching from the sidelines is not an option. In spite of its shortcomings, the church still has the power to transform our individual and communal lives. In turn, the community must be willing to work side by side with wounded people of faith to facilitate their empowerment, promote ongoing critical reflection, cultivate well-being, and nurture resilience.