I was skeptical, but after hearing Jim Wallis speak tonight---he's been on Jon Stewart's show before!---I'm very much on board with what he and Sojourners (his social justice organization) are doing. Wallis---the author of numerous books, including "God's Politics"---spoke tonight at Belmont Heights Baptist Church, which is three blocks down the street from where I live. As I reflect on the speech, the following stands out:
1) The big choice that all of us face today is the choice between hope and cynicism.
2) Our sociology impacts our theology.
3) Our allegiance as Christians is to Christ before country.
4) Churches must return to the parish model, in which churches are responsible for the physical and spiritual needs of their particular geographic area regardless of whether or not those in the immediate area attend that church or not.
5) The way to change our world is not from the top down, but from the bottom up. Most politicians keep their finger to the wind. Therefore, the best way to change the world is to change the wind.
6) In Christ there are no racial or socioeconomic differences, yet churches and denominations too often behave like gangs, with each gang displaying its own colors. We must lay down our colors.
7) Christ opened his ministry with the proclamation that he came to preach the good news to the poor. If our theology and behavior are in any way against the poor, our theology and behavior are unbiblical.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
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8 comments:
Could you elaborate a little more on number 4? I agree with the rest (especially 5 and 6), but I'm not sure I understand what it would mean for a church to "be responsible for...their particular geographic area."
Would this mean churches would shift from emphasis on international missions to local?
Would it mean churches would have to be willing to serve the area as partners with governmental or "secular" organizations?
What if the people in the geographic area don't want the help?
Interesting thoughts; thanks for sharing them here.
Maybe just by asking the question I'm already shading myself as a moustache-twirling conservative villain, but what exactly qualifies as "against the poor"?
My church is very much about reaching out to the local community. We definitely advocate overseas missions, but much of the focus is on the poor and disadvantaged around us. My small group is going to a shelter (provided by another local church) tonight to eat dinner and spend the night with homeless families (another group is providing the dinner). I can't make it due to prior obligations :( but it is really awesome to see the way people are reaching out. Sometimes I don't feel that different from the people to whom we're ministering. I THINK that's partially what it can mean to "be responsible for...their particular geographic area." :0)
I see you have links to NOOMA and Rob Bell. My church is an "emergent" church...a rare find up here, but from that I hear they're pretty common in the south (had a friend in Lynchburg who said they're common). I really don't care what label my church has, but I really do like the pursuit of Christ alone and ~digging into~ of the Scriptures that I have seen in this church (I've been attending this one for a year). My other churches didn't reach out so much.
Oh. No Rob Bell. I must've read a blog about him. :]
Thanks for the elaboration, Cameron (and Shanna.)
I agree that most churches--whatever their "labels"--would find the idea to be laudable in theory. And some might engage in foot-dragging rationalizations regarding practicality--especially if the initial programs do not result in "fixing" the area. So many churches now, following the strict business models, are all about numbers and efficiency and sheer results. Some want the fastest fix with the cheapest expenditure (in my opinion, contrary to the example Jesus gave us.)
I'm now picturing the signs like you see along the side of the highway that say "Adopt-an-Area-- Poverty and Violence Control--The Surrounding Fifteen Blocks--Managed by The Church That Cares". Yeah, I know that truly caring churches probably wouldn't post them(something about the right and left hands not communicating about their good deeds)...but I just can't shake the visual.
It's a wonderful idea.
Amen. You should have dragged me :)
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