It's Not Political...

This month in Kansas City we have had too many shootings. Between Monday and Wednesday of this past week we have had 7 shootings. Like many other inner cities in America it is not uncommon to hear of gun violence, but this week I have been asking myself the question: "What is the church's role in the community, especially when it comes to the issue of gun violence?" I ask this question because these incidents happen in the community where we are looking to plant a church. For me, this is not a political issue, it's spiritual.


Other questions I ask:

• What difference will another church make in the community?
• How can the church help to prevent these shootings instead of reacting to the loss of a life?
• Shouldn't God's people have more influence in a community than the influence of gangs and drugs?
• What would happen if the pain of the city became all of our pain and more Christians moved into these communities to partner with the work that is already been done?

I don't have all the answers, and I'm not saying that nothing is being done by churches in the city, but I do think there is more that can be done. Fear has a grip on far too many of us. Whether you are in the suburbs or in the hood this is our problem. We can all be a part of the solution, because we are all one Church.