Compassion

Biblical orthodoxy without compassion is surely the ugliest thing in the world.

- Francis Schaeffer

Jesus often said the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mt 20:28) If we study His life and teachings, the value of compassion is constantly in sight. The poor, disenfranchised and afflicted surrounded Jesus. He gave them health and hope, along with a strong dose of friendship. In Jesus' time, women were treated as property. People with diseases like leprosy were subhuman. Different cultures were disregarded. If you fell into a life-style of sin, it was game over.

Jesus fought against this trend. He gave respect and dignity to people from these groups, even though it hurt his reputation. When people questioned his choice of friends, he said "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (Mk 2:17)

Jesus' attitude was one of service. As people who follow him we should have the same attitude.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.... (Philippians 2:5-7)

Followers of Jesus need to live beyond themselves. Compassion should mark our lives, which means that we will serve in the church and serve outside the church.

Serving Outside the Church

Churches must minister in both word and deed. When God created the world, it was good. His goal now is to use the church to bring back some of that "goodness". That means that the church's job isn't to just save souls. We also have to help face physical, monetary, emotional and cultural issues. That's why we partner with Vision House to help the homeless of Seattle . That's why we support FAMCARE, an indigenous ministry in Zambia that ministers to people with AIDS and helps fight today's leprosy where it is doing the most damage. That's why our community garden grows organic produce for the Lynnwood Food Bank. That's why the coffee we serve at our services is shade grown and fair trade. As God gives us opportunities, we will work to bring redemption to people, cities and societies.

Serving In the Church

We believe that God has given us all gifts and passions that can be used to support the ministry of the church. Whether those gifts lead you to brew coffee to mentor a student, they are both equally valuable and equally needed. When we serve together, we find that we connect at an even deeper level and discover that corporate compassion is the real key to community.

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