A Rotary club is an organization of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace. Rotary clubs are part of Rotary International, an international service organization founded in 1905 in Chicago, Illinois.
Some key things the Bible teaches about Rotary clubs and similar service organizations:
- As Christians, we are called to serve others – Rotary provides opportunities for service and making a positive difference in the world (Mark 10:45, Matthew 25:35-40).
- Building relationships and working together with diverse groups can promote peace and understanding (Ephesians 2:14-18).
- Service to others is an important way to live out Christian values of compassion and caring for those in need (Matthew 25:35-40, James 1:27).
- Working to solve problems like poverty, illiteracy, and disease helps fulfill Jesus’ commands to care for the least of these (Matthew 25:31-46).
- Christians should be thoughtful about affiliations to avoid compromising beliefs and values (2 Corinthians 6:14-18, James 4:4).
- Be wary of mission drift – emphasis on service is good but should not distract from the ultimate mission of spreading the Gospel (Matthew 28:19-20).
- Avoid self-righteousness – service should be motivated by genuine love and humility (Matthew 6:1-4, Micah 6:8).
In many ways, Rotary clubs can provide opportunities for Christians to live out biblical values of service, compassion, justice, and peace. At the same time, Christians should thoughtfully consider their involvement to avoid potential pitfalls.
Here is a more in-depth look at some key biblical themes relevant to Rotary clubs and other similar service organizations:
Loving and Serving Others
One of the core tenets of Christianity is the call to love others. Jesus said the two greatest commandments are to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). Loving our neighbor means caring for those in need and serving others generously and compassionately. The book of James says that true religion is to “look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27).
Rotary International’s mission is to “provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.” This focus on humanitarian service and goodwill aligns well with biblical values of serving others, doing good, and caring for the needy.
Jesus set an example of servanthood, stating that even he “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). As Christians, we are called to follow Christ’s model and serve with humility, generosity and sacrifice (Mark 9:35, Galatians 5:13). The parable of the Good Samaritan illustrates our responsibility to care for those in need, even people very different from ourselves (Luke 10:25-37). By getting involved in Rotary community service initiatives and international humanitarian projects, Christians can answer the biblical call to serve others in practical, loving ways.
Promoting Peace and Understanding
The Bible speaks extensively about the importance of promoting peace and cultivating understanding between people. Isaiah prophesied about a time when “nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore” (Isaiah 2:4). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus proclaimed, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9). And Paul urged early believers to “make every effort to do what leads to peace” (Romans 14:19).
One of Rotary’s main goals is to advance peace and build bridges of understanding between diverse groups. Rotary clubs allow community and business leaders of many backgrounds to come together, foster friendships, and seek common ground. Paul writes that Christ came to break down barriers “between the Jews and Gentiles” and create “one new humanity out of the two” united in Christ (Ephesians 2:14-18). Though Rotary clubs are secular organizations, the vision of unity aligns with biblical ideals of promoting peace.
Compassion and Justice for the Vulnerable
The Bible often speaks of God’s care and concern for vulnerable groups like the poor, oppressed, widowed and orphaned. God calls his people to mirror that compassion. Isaiah 1:17 says to “seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” Zechariah 7:9-10 declares that God desires his people to “show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor.”
Many Rotary service initiatives and international projects aim to alleviate poverty, promote literacy, and improve health outcomes for mothers and children. By volunteering and supporting such efforts, Christians can live out biblical values like speaking up for the vulnerable and freeing the oppressed. However, it is also important to ensure help is provided in culturally sensitive ways, avoiding paternalism or unhealthy dependency.
Stewardship and Vocational Ethics
The Bible encourages stewardship and ethical behavior in one’s work and profession. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” 1 Peter 4:10 declares, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” The parable of the talents illustrates that God expects believers to work diligently and make the most of what they have been given (Matthew 25:14-30).
As an organization of business leaders, Rotary Clubs promote high ethical standards in one’s vocation and community life. Rotarians practice the “Four Way Test” – asking if things are true, fair, build goodwill and will be beneficial to all. This focus on integrity, stewardship and “Service Above Self” closely aligns with biblical principles of ethics and generosity.
The Pitfall of Mission Drift
While Rotary’s emphasis on service and humanitarian efforts is admirable, Christians should be mindful that these good works do not distract from the ultimate mission Christ has given his followers – to spread the gospel to all nations. Jesus commanded his disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).
As the apostle Paul declared, “I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel” (Romans 1:14-15). He went on missionary journeys proclaiming salvation in Christ across the Roman empire. While serving physical needs is important, Christians must remember that addressing spiritual needs through evangelism is the supreme call Christ has given.
Avoiding Self-Righteousness
As Christians engage in humanitarian service and social reform efforts, there can be a temptation towards pride and self-righteousness. The Bible warns against serving and giving in order to win praise and admiration from others. Jesus said, “When you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do, to be honored by others. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret” (Matthew 6:2-4).
The prophet Micah summarized God’s requirements as to “act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). A spirit of humility, generosity and sincerity should characterize Christian service. The goal is not to promote oneself or feel morally superior, but simply to obediently follow Christ’s call to care for others’ needs.
Faithfully Living Out Christian Values
While no human organization is perfect, Rotary Clubs offer Christians meaningful opportunities to live out important biblical values of service, compassion, justice, integrity and peace. Christians can participate in Rotary community service projects, fellowship events and international humanitarian efforts as an expression of Christ’s love. They can build relationships and seek unity across lines of ethnicity, religion and socioeconomic status. They can advocate for the vulnerable and apply their professional skills to meet pressing needs.
At the same time, believers should be thoughtful about their involvement to avoid compromise or distraction from Christian mission and priorities. By participating in Rotary with wisdom, humility and grace, Christians can make a positive contribution while also staying focused on deeper spiritual needs that extend beyond material and social concerns.
In summary, Rotary clubs are voluntary service organizations that enable Christians to follow biblical calls to serve others, build relationships across diversity, care for the vulnerable and practice vocational ethics. However, Christians should also be mindful of the potential pitfalls of compromising beliefs, mission drift and self-righteousness. With thoughtfulness and wisdom, involvement in Rotary can allow Christians to practice their faith in meaningful ways to foster human flourishing.
