The Call to Be a Good Church

In 2001, Jim Collins published a book on business management titled Good to Great, concerning the steps companies had to take to be excellent institutions. This book became a bestseller and even influenced the American church, with many churches endeavoring to become “great” churches.

What Does It Mean to Be a Good Church?

The church, however, should do the opposite. We should be “great to good” Christians, not “good to great.” The church should strive to be good rather than great. What do I mean by that?

The Example of the Good Shepherd

Jesus referred to himself as a good shepherd, not a great one. He attributed his accomplishments to God, not to himself. After all, God was the one who raised him up. So the church should follow his example of humility, service, and meekness instead of trying to elevate itself unnecessarily.

Similarly, as Christians, we should not just stop our spiritual growth with our belief in the doctrine of Christ. Through Christ living in us, we must continue being like Jesus by embodying his character. We must be people who live out good deeds like Christ, the good shepherd. We should be missionaries who possess a good conscience and unimpeachable character. We should not strive for fame or “greatness.” We need to strive for good.

Good Deeds as a Reflection of Faith

Jesus spoke about the goodness of Christians in the Sermon on the Mount: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Jesus also called us to be the salt and light of the world, but what does that entail? Good deeds.

Now, of course, only performing good deeds does not make one a good Christian. But to understand the missionary calling of the church and that of Christians is to manifest our faith in the world through our actions.

Lessons from Elizabeth Shepping

Elizabeth Shepping was one such Christian. Born in Germany, Shepping immigrated to the United States, became a nurse, and took courses on the Bible. After converting to Protestantism from Catholicism, Shepping answered the call. On February 20, 1912, she embarked on a voyage to Korea, traversing the seas aboard a passenger ship and devoting the rest of her life to the impoverished and downtrodden of Korea. Gracefully wearing Korean peasant garb and men’s black rubber shoes, Shepping cared for, healed, taught, and lived among the Korean people while other missionaries lived in relative luxury. She remained resolutely single and never thought to return to the United States. Eventually, Shepping changed her name to Seo-pyeong and learned the Korean language, insisting on using Korean even when using the language was prohibited under the Japanese occupation.

A beacon of compassion, she opened her heart and home to the forsaken—adopting fourteen orphans and providing shelter to thirty-eight widows. Before Seo-pyeong’s death, she donated her body to a foreign hospital, Severance. At her funeral, hundreds of mourners trailed after the procession for miles and miles, marking the civil funeral service of the city of Gwangju.

During her life and at her death, Seo-pyeong was loved. But as the years passed, her name became obscure and is fairly unknown to those outside of Korean Christian circles. Shepping exemplified the life of a good Christian. She never wanted to be great, but all her life she strived to be good.

Living Out the Mission of a Good Church

As God’s sent people, our primary calling is to be this kind of good church in and to the world.

Humility and Service in Action

This means proclaiming the gospel to the ends of the earth and letting the world witness the goodness of the gospel through our actions.