Bonhoeffer on Church, Endowments, Clergy, and Social Life

Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes about the church:

‘The Church is her true self only when she exists for humanity. As a fresh start she should give away all her endowments to the poor and needy. The clergy should live solely on the free-will offerings of their congregations, or possibly engage in some secular calling. She must take part in the social life of the world, not lording it over men, but helping and serving them. She must tell men, whatever their calling, what it means to live in Christ, to exist for others.”

What do you think about this statement on the identity and calling of the church?

–

Source: Letters and Papers from Prison

Sharing is cool!