Jump directly to the content

Illegal Immigrants in the Church?

Christian thinkers weigh in on what churches should do about meeting the sojourner.

Mark DeYmaz, directional leader at Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas, M. Daniel Carroll R. (Rodas), Old Testament professor at Denver Seminary, and Matthew Soerens, the U.S. church training specialist for World Relief, debate what churches should do about illegal immigrants in their midst.

Do Everything Legal

Mark DeYmaz, directional leader at Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas

In the earliest days of Mosaic Church, one of our members was issued a traffic ticket. Later we learned he was undocumented. A year or so after this incident, he received a second citation from local police, who discovered that he'd had a fraudulent driver's license obtained with a fake Social Security number.

In every other way, the individual was a law-abiding member of the community and a follower of Christ. Yet he soon received a letter from the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services requiring him to leave the country within 30 days. However, he chose to ignore the letter and remain in Little Rock.

When it comes to meeting the spiritual, material, and physical needs of immigrants, there is strong biblical precedent for getting involved (Ex. 22:21; 23:9; Lev. 19:33-34; Deut. 27:19). But New Testament teaching also makes it clear that as followers of Christ, we are to honor the law and respect the rulers of our land (Luke 20:23-25; 1 Pet. 2:13-14). How should we resolve this apparent tension?

Out of concern for this member and what his decision might mean for the church, I met with local immigration officials to discuss the situation. I learned that a church is in no way restricted from ministering to people based on their legal status or expected to know who within the congregation is and is not properly documented.

For instance, there is nothing illegal about giving undocumented immigrants rides to and from church or providing them with benevolent assistance such as food, shelter, and clothing.

In fact, a church may invite undocumented immigrants to serve voluntarily in any capacity within the church. At Mosaic, however, we have decided not to appoint undocumented immigrants to serve as elders, since our board must conduct legal business from time to time. And we do not willfully hire undocumented immigrants. Several times my heart has broken over learning of someone's undocumented status in the hiring process and, consequently, turning away an otherwise qualified candidate.

Scripture requires that Christ followers and therefore churches obey legal authority. However, we have found it possible to walk the fine line between compassion and conformity when it comes to serving the immigrants among us. As Paul found, too, in dealing with Onesimus, we can remain true to both the mission of God and the authority of man. We will continue to do so unless that authority requires us to deny our faith or the core tenets of it.

I wish there were a simple solution to the current immigration problem, that we could somehow wave a magic wand and fix the whole situation. Unfortunately, an immediate solution does not exist. In the meantime, we continue to love and serve everyone we can.

Ask New Questions

M. Daniel Carroll R. (Rodas), distinguished professor of Old Testament at Denver Seminary

The answer to this question depends on whether the church is a majority-culture church or an immigrant church.

There are many thousands of immigrant churches in the United States. For example, the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC)—the Hispanic counterpart and working partner of the National Association of Evangelicals—is an umbrella organization for Hispanic congregations. The NHCLC comprises more than 25,000 member churches, many of which have undocumented members. The same could be said, for example, of countless Korean and African churches in the U.S.


More from Christianity Today
A Fractured and Beautiful Faith

A Fractured and Beautiful Faith

How songwriter Audrey Assad transcended "positive and encouraging" to create music for the church.
A Terrifying Grace

A Terrifying Grace

Why God’s omniscience is good news for us.

Streaming This Weekend, May 24, 2013

What to watch this weekend (hint: don't make a huge mistake).
Can a Christian Family Ever Be Too Big?

Can a Christian Family Ever Be Too Big?

Experts weigh in.
Get Instant Access
Christianity Today Magazine
Subscribe now for a year (10 issues) at $24.95 for print, iPad, and instant web access.

International Orders

Comments

Displaying 1–3 of 38 comments

Larry Jones

March 06, 2011  11:51am

It should be easily understood that Paul valued his Roman citizenship. In fact he stated that he was born a Roman citizen and didn't purchase his citizenship. He knew his rights as a Roman citizen. (see Acts and Philipians) Paul never said that God didn't create borders.

Report Abuse

Rodrigo Barrera

March 05, 2011  2:22pm

I know, from the Scriptures, that Israelites were treated as slaves in Egipt. I Know, from the Scriptures that Joseph took his family to Egipt. Did he go trough al the red tape to be a legal inmigrant? Did Jesus, as baby lived as an ilegal inmigrat in Egipt? I have known missionaries who come to latinamerica under the pretense that they are tourists, but what they do is work as preachers. Are they ilegally doing a job because they are, after all, profesional preachers? I have known latinos who go to the USA with the prescibed documents, but while there they have found a faith that brings them back with a truth and a passion to share in their Land the hope that they have found. I have seen missinaries who have been despised because they are "gringoes", crying an wishing to have enough corage to go back to their country. My personal belief is that God (Who didn't create any borders) is taking the mission field to the very doors of the American Church.

Report Abuse

Robert Brooks

March 04, 2011  10:45pm

"Render unto Ceasear what is Ceasear's, render unto God, what is God's." This makes it real simple. What part of "ILLEGAL IMMAGRANT" don't you understand? From that point on, they are criminals. Aiding and abetting, sheltering, feeding, watering, assisting in egress.... are all AIDING AND ABETTING a felon/criminal. It's not up to us. I could feel sorry for a poor, dirty third world immigrant. Right up to when he/she detonates their suicide vest killing/injuring 10, 20, 30 people. We don't know who they are or why they are here. Let the experts handel such matters. Why can't they just get in line behind all the others. What makes them special?

Report Abuse
See All 38 Comments
You must be a Christianity Today subscriber to post comments
(on articles open to the public, you must at least register for a free account).
Login
or
Subscribe
or
Register

Don't Miss

Rob Bell's 'Ginormous' Mirror

Rob Bell's 'Ginormous' Mirror

To read his book is to read about our fascination with ourselves.
Losing my Edge

Losing my Edge

When your initial enthusiasm fades, you need a plan if you're going to bring your best to your calling

War and Peace

War and Peace

Pastor Tullian Tchividjian survived a leadership coup by finding rest in the liberating power of the gospel.

more | current issue

Today's Christian Woman

Ministering to Military Families

Ministering to Military Families

Five tangible ways to...

Books & Culture

A Measure of Forgiveness

A Measure of Forgiveness

Memories of a British...

Small Groups

Conflict in Small Groups

Conflict in Small Groups

Work through conflict...

Out of Ur

Review: Missio Alliance Gathering 2013

Review: Missio Alliance Gathering 2013

Reflections on mission...

Facebook

CT eBooks & Bible Studies


Shopping