Doing Justice and Loving Mercy: Compassion Ministries, Mentor's Guide, MG16

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D O I N G J U S T I C E A N D L O V I N G M E R C Y : C O M P A S S I O N M I N I S T R I E S

Now is the time for you to discuss with your fellow students your questions about your own ministry in the local congregation, and its responsibility to show forth the justice and mercy of God in its own given situation. You are a disciple of Jesus in a church in the city, and your local church is called to represent Jesus in the midst of your community. As you have meditated upon these truths, what are the kinds questions that have come to mind about your own particular understanding of them? What issues do you still want to explore in light of the material you have just studied? Use the questions below to trigger some of your own critical questions about these concerns. The Church seeks to demonstrate the justice and mercy of God to two interrelated objects of his care: the members of his own covenant community, and those who are outsiders. Believers are called to care for members of their own marriages, families, and extended families, as well as all the members of God’s assembly. We are also called to serve those who do not believe, including those counted as neighbors, strangers, foreigners, and even our enemies. Through the provident leading of God, we see that four channels of God’s divine justice and mercy are operating today. Individuals and families, local congregations, care communities and organizations, and governmental institutions and agencies all are used by God to display his generosity, justice, and mercy on those in need. As the outpost of the Kingdom of God in a particular locale, the local church plays a unique role in communicating God’s mercy and love to others. Six principles can inform this care. Each local assembly is called to do good to all people, but especially those of the household of faith. Each is called to follow the example of Jesus in selfless service, to equip its members for the work of the ministry, to show love and mercy with wisdom and grace, in both word and deed, and to work to eliminate the problems altogether, and not merely their symptoms. God empowers his people, the Church, to represent the values of his reign (i.e., justice, love, and mercy) and has called them to demonstrate good works for his glory.

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Student Application and Implications