What is the mission of the church? Is there just one mission? The modern church tends to follow society as it relates to causes. Freeing men and women from human trafficking, providing clean water, social justice, equality among the races, and caring for the poor are all activities in which the church should be involved. They are noble and needed.
However, one might ask the question, should we build our mission around the activities we feel called to do, or should the mission of the church guide our actions?
I would suggest that while our activities might change, the mission of the church should never change. In other words, application is different than essence.
Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert have produced an excellent book that deals with this issue. Their chapters on “Making Sense of Social Justice” are perhaps the best simple treatment I have ever read on a complicated, and occasionally, controversial subject.
I would highly recommend this book.