Featured Should we partner with unbeleivers in Ministry Work??!

Not really. The church does meet the needs of others through its own efforts. But additionally it does not shun the opportunity to witness by participating in the efforts of others. We go to Walmart on “black Friday” and provide coffee and witness to those in line. Walmart invites us because is an opportunity for their own “community involvement” but our purpose is witnessing. As I stated, our goal is not the same – but we are to be witnesses and not seek self-glorification by being so removed from the people around us. I would interpret this church’s action as being obedient in making disciples. It is the church “doing both.”


There are Christians who oppose such activities – and that’s fine, they shouldn’t involve themselves in such activities. They also should not involve themselves in “partnering” with online media, internet providers, etc to spread the gospel. For their goal may be to witness, but it certainly is not the goal of those services they are utilizing. For example, I have seen many provide podcasts on iTunes (they partner with them via their “store” – which is also a secular and often pagan marketing source.



But the difference is that the church is not partnered with these non-Christian organizations for a truly "common" goal.

 

No, I’m saying that churches can spread the gospel by working with non-believers in addition to providing the same services as many of these organizations. I do agree that the Walmart example is not a partnership in the ministry – but by that standard neither is working with the organization that helps the abused. By that definition – you couldn’t “partner” with any secular group in the ministry because the goals are different (the church would be using opportunities, people may benefit – but the secular organization wouldn’t have the goal of spreading the gospel. If the gospel is not the goal then it is not a ministry).



I didn’t really miss the context of yoking or partnering – I don’t think that the examples I gave are partnering (I tried to remember to state it as “partnering”). The problem, IMHO, is when churches see their function as meeting physical needs above and beyond spiritual needs. They also need to be careful to avoid the appearance that a particular non-Christian organization has the endorsement of the church.

 

I would hope that any church would evaluate the situation before "jumping in". The difference is that I do not see a secular organization providing safe environments as as a ministry (where as you see it as an "abuse ministry").

Giving you the same respect - taking things to the extreme -perhaps you are right that we should leave those that the "Satanist" would reach alone - but I would think that these should also hear the gospel. Then again, if they want to hear the gospel, I'm sure they know where to find us.

 

Instead of using your example I should have used the real one I began with. The group provides shelter. The pd makes rounds to make sure they are safe. Our church helps with clothes and food. Local pastors counsel these women. We also have a prison ministry which also works "officially" with the jail and a pastor who is "officially" the hs football Chaplin. Strange how these ungodly efforts have seen fruit.

 

It isn't either or - that IS my point.

 

I am assuming by your last comment that this is not a serious post, but I'll answer anyway.

The issue is obedience and those ministering in the jails, witnessing to the abused, witnessing to the students are being obedient to the gospel and command of Christ. What you mean is "obedience to what you want" not obedience to God. Again - it is the MINISTRY of the church - not the ministry of a secular organization.

I assume that the third point is a twist on 1 Samuel 15:22 (but not sure as you don't strike me as one to alter Scripture - either in word or intent). What you have failed to prove is that Christians cannot work with secular groups for a common secular purpose but a greater purpose of sharing the gospel.

The last paragraph is makes me believe it is not a serious reply. I have repeatedly said that the church also works independently. And yes, your local churches do not have the resources to duplicate resources that are already available and I would think it an arrogant sin and demonstration of poor stewardship to do so. It is not "either/or." So please, lets dispense with the silliness and dishonesty and just evaluate this example I provided. If you can do that, then at least we can determine where we disagree. It is not a false example:

Our local church provides clothing and food (also toys for children) to an organization for abused women. This organization provides a safe environment in the form of housing which is patrolled by the local police department. Local church pastors provide counseling to these women. Our outreach ministry (and the ministry of other local churches) reach out to minister and spread the gospel to these women while they are going through this situation. Please just deal with this example and show in Scripture where this is unbiblical.