ARC Social Fellowship Information

ARC Fellowship has a vibrant Social/Hospitality Ministry. Some also like to refer to this as a Care and Share Ministry. The social can be distinguished from the hospitality at times. But they are closely related.

During the year, there will often be many and varied events that are of a social or hospitality content. There is the Christmas Banquet, Easter Gathering, Summer Picnic, and more. The Youth Ministry with the Social/Hospitality Ministry is often involved in many other events from ARC or while traveling to other Churches/Places to visit.

Concerning the fellowship, provision and caring of the Saints and Guests, the Bible says this:
Romans 12:13 - Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Titus 1:8 - But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate...

1 Timothy 5:10 - Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

Romans 16:2 - That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

Hebrews 13:2 - Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Social Ministry: "The Role of Social Ministry in the Church."

Social ministry has a role in a church’s overall community service. Questions naturally arise, then, as to what that role is and how social ministry relates to evangelism. Below are some guidelines for doing social ministry.

    Social ministry meets physical needs. Whether it’s a food bank, clothes closet, or other service, churches should find ways to meet the physical needs of those in the community.

    Social ministry is not evangelism, but should be evangelistic. Many churches think that by meeting physical needs, it opens doors to sharing Jesus. This is true, but too few actually walk through those doors. Every social ministry should intentionally include sharing the gospel with others (cf. Servant Evangelism by Alvin Reid and David Wheeler).

    Pick a few social ministries and do them well. The church cannot meet every physical need. Rather, a handful (one to three is good) should be focused on and done well.

    Social ministry can be done by the whole church, small groups, or both. Often, social ministry is done by the entire church. However, individual small groups or Sunday schools can also become engaged in social ministry.

    Social ministry is more than food, clothes, and financial support. The three most commonly chosen social outreaches are food banks, clothes closets, and bill payment supplements. However, social ministries can also include volunteering at retirement homes, doing yard work for others, or anything you can imagine that helps meet a physical need.

    Social ministry is not social service. Churches can become so identified with their social outreach that they become seen by the community as a social service institution rather than a gospel-centered body of believers. The church is not an extension of government services, nor is it a division of state and local social service bureaus. This problem arises more often when the social ministry is not evangelistic or becomes the primary work done by the church.

    Social ministry does come to an end. I don’t mean the distribution hours are passed or the resources deplete. Rather, every social ministry reaches a point where the needs-meeting ends, replaced by evangelistic spiritual needs-meeting. Jesus showed this when he refused to feed the hungry people, but told them he wanted to teach the gospel to them (cf. John 6:22-66).
(Shared from: https://www.johnrothra.com/evangelism/gospel-centered/the-role-of-social-ministry-in-the-church/