The Church’s Mission: Good Works or Gospel Proclamation?
When it comes to helping those in need, Christians often point to the example of Jesus—His compassion, His acts of healing, and His care for the poor and marginalized. But is social work the mission of the Church? A brother in Christ recently shared with me that his church is embarking on a well-intentioned effort to renovate a struggling man’s home as part of their outreach. While the heart behind this project is commendable, it raises an important question: What did Jesus actually commission His Church to do?
The Bible calls believers to live out their faith through good works, but it also distinguishes between the Church’s mission and the fruit of an individual believer’s walk with Christ. Are efforts like home renovation an extension of the Great Commission, or do they risk shifting the focus away from the Church’s primary purpose? By examining Jesus’ words and the practice of the early Church, we can gain clarity on how caring for others fits within the broader purpose of making disciples and proclaiming the Gospel.
This question is a good one because it calls for a clear distinction between the mission of the Church as given by Christ and the good works that believers are called to walk in. The heart behind my brother’s effort is commendable, but examining it through Scripture helps us determine where it fits within the overarching purpose of the Church.
1. What Is the Church’s Mission According to Jesus?
When Jesus commissioned His disciples, He explicitly defined the mission of the Church:
The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20)
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Preaching Repentance and Forgiveness (Luke 24:46-47)
“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”
Being Witnesses to Christ (Acts 1:8)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
The mission is clearly focused on proclaiming the Gospel, making disciples, and teaching them to obey all that Christ commanded. The primary work of the Church is spiritual in nature, bringing people into fellowship with Christ and building them up in Him.
2. How Does Caring for the Poor and Needy Fit?
Though the primary mission of the Church is not social work, good works are an important outflow of faith:
Good Works as an Expression of Faith (James 2:14-17)
“If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
James is not saying that social work is the mission of the Church. Instead, he is saying that genuine faith results in works. However, the primary context here is believers helping fellow believers in need.
Doing Good to All, Especially the Household of Faith (Galatians 6:10)
“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Paul teaches that Christians should do good, but priority is given to fellow believers. If this man is a believer, helping him is a good and proper expression of Christian love. If he is not a believer, this act of service could be used as a means to share Christ with him, but it should not be confused with the Church’s mission.
3. Is This What Jesus Would Do?
Jesus performed many acts of healing and mercy, but His purpose was always tied to proclaiming the kingdom of God:
Healing and Preaching Were Together (Mark 1:38)
“And He said to them, ‘Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.’”
Even when Jesus healed and provided food, it was to point people to the deeper spiritual reality of who He was (John 6:26-27). He did not set up projects to renovate homes, but He did command His followers to care for one another (John 13:35). The early Church cared for needy members, but their focus remained on spiritual growth and discipleship (Acts 2:42-47).
4. What Role Does This Project Play in the Church’s Mission?
This project, as described, seems to blur the lines between the mission of the Church and the works of believers. Some key observations:
If this is an act of Christian love toward a fellow believer, it is biblical (Galatians 6:10, James 2:14-17).
If this is intended as the Church’s mission, it is misplaced—the Church is commissioned to make disciples, not renovate homes.
If this is seen as a means of evangelism, it should be accompanied by clear Gospel proclamation. Otherwise, it risks becoming mere humanitarian work, which is not the mission of the Church.
It would be important to ask: Is this man coming to Christ? Is he growing in faith? Is the Gospel being proclaimed? If not, then the effort, while well-meaning, may not be fulfilling the true purpose of the Church.
Final Thoughts
My brother’s compassion is admirable, and James does call believers to active faith. However, this must not replace the actual mission of the Church, which is to proclaim Christ and make disciples. If this effort flows from discipleship and leads to Gospel conversations, it can serve a role in supporting the mission. But if it becomes the focus itself, it risks shifting the Church into a social service rather than the body of Christ carrying out His commission.
Would Jesus do this? Jesus always pointed people to Himself as their true need. If this project leads to that, then it is a useful tool. If it is merely an effort to improve a man’s situation, it is missing the greater purpose for which Christ established His Church.
What are your thoughts?