The Church and the Common Good

What is the common good? Speaker and author Andy Crouch defined it as “the flourishing of the vulnerable in community.” Refocusing its relevance for Christians, Crouch urged movement toward building community rather than “tackling poverty.”

Crouch was speaking at Immanuel Christian Reformed Church in Hamilton, Ontario, at a workshop organized by TrueCity Hamilton.

Many church members don’t live in the places for which they advocate, Crouch pointed out. He believes that the only way the vulnerable can flourish is through community with the church: “We need a society that in our moment of vulnerability will come alongside us.”

TrueCity Hamilton is an organization that brings churches together to pursue God’s best intention for Hamilton. Immanuel CRC, First CRC, and New Hope CRC are also members of the TrueCity movement.

Jeff Strong of Grindstone Church in Waterdown, Ontario, was instrumental in organizing the TrueCity event, believing that Crouch could offer great insight to this gathering of Hamilton churches. “Andy Crouch is a transformative teacher . . . his texts can help shape us to be imagebearers,” Strong said.

More than 10 denominations and numerous congregations were represented at this event. Katie Karsten of Immanuel CRC enjoyed the time of learning and fellowship. “It would be wonderful if more churches could come together like this to support each other.” Karsten said.

Earlier in the week Crouch presented two lectures at Redeemer University College, speaking about the role of imagebearers of God and the calling to “restore the image of God in the places where idolatry and injustice exist.”