Compassion is a great thing, it is a natural response to the brokenness we see in the world, it is human and to lack it makes us less than human, but beyond that it is also Christian. Given that our Father is the Father of compassion, that Jesus responded to need and suffering with compassion, how can we not be people who are compassionate? But there is a problem with compassion when it leads us into unthinking action, when we respond in a knee jerk fashion to the problems that have stirred up that compassion in us. Or when we simply act in ways that sustain patterns of suffering. We want to help, we see a need, we see something we can do and so we act. But we are also called to act wisely, to steward our compassion so that it produces the best outcome. Compassion that leads to wrong action can in the longer term do more harm than good.
Mixed in with that is the desire we have as churches (I'm presuming there is one) to alleviate suffering and love our fellow man. We want to do so in a way that clearly demonstrates our love for people and whereby we become channels of God's love to others. I wonder if this co-mingling of compassion that longs to just act and the desire to do so in a way that shows God's love causes us a problem when it comes to community action.
Does it lead us to set up projects rather than serve people? Does it result in us establishing models with clear recipients and givers, where the power imbalance is clear and self sustaining? Does it stop us from establishing sustainable community developing projects rather than church led dependence inducing acts of service?
Here's my internal struggle as I'm thinking and wrestling through this. As a church we want to love and serve our community in ways that lead people to see God's love for them and that creates in them a hunger to come and meet Jesus. But we need to do so in ways that build community, that shows the gospel truth that we are all broken, that we aren't in any way lording anything over anyone. We want to help in ways that equip and enable the community to do for itself what it needs to, supporting and training individuals and providing initial impetus and possibly capitol but which ultimately leads to self sustaining, community creating, need serving long term projects. But my natural fear in doing so is that as the community is involved and takes ownership of such things our gospel motivations may somehow be lost to others. Whilst partly that battle is with the inner control freak, above all it reminds me how quick I am to forget the relational nature of sharing the gospel, as people from church in the community serve alongside other community members that gospel will be seen and spoken. As we serve in this way it is a demonstration of the equalising and uniting power of the gospel to break down class barriers so prevalent in our community.
My hunch is that struggle will continue to raise its head as we look to take this forward.
Showing posts with label social involvement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label social involvement. Show all posts
Friday, 4 September 2015
Thursday, 3 September 2015
Is there a problem with the way we think of helping the poor?
I'm in the middle of reading Robert Lupton's 'Toxic Charity' and as read it I've found it full of challenges to my thinking and instinctive reactions but also lots of things which chime with our experience here at Grace Church. The area we serve is mixed, there are some affluent parts, but there are larger parts that are deprived (though that mix is changing thanks (?!?) to some new developments). As we've engaged in serving in this community it is striking how getting to know people challenges our preconceived notions of what such help will look like.
It is easy to come breezing in with an attitude that effectively looks to dish out help, advice, money, and support as if from someone who is sorted to someone in need. But the longer I spend with families in the community, the longer I look into the eyes of those we serve the more wrong our often glib view of what 'help' looks like seems.
As those who have gospel values; who believe that every ones greatest need is their eternal need and that they need to come to know Jesus, who value people as made in God's image, who want to love our neighbour, who believe we have been given much to give lavishly to the world, we want to serve others. But so often the way we do so is clumsy and can end up doing more harm than good. Lupton's book has solidified some of the things I've been seeing in and around our community as well as providing the stimulus to sit down and try and draw some conclusions about how we help those in need. Whilst these are preliminary and blurry around the edges, at best, I thought they'd be worth noting down here.
Too often we seem to switch into charity mode when we see those in need, be it a homeless man begging on the street, or a family in need - we have, they don't, therefore we give. But whilst the compassion behind it is right often our way of showing it is faulty. Charity emasculates people, it stripes them of their dignity, it undermines an often already battered self confidence or self esteem, it embarrasses them in front of their families and friends. What our deprived communities need are friends, people who will commit to knowing, loving, and staying. Friends who are committed to long term transformation not hit and run help or charity dispensed from a distance. We need to structure support in such a way that it enables people to change, to learn, to develop, teaching them to do for themselves so that they become thriving families and doing so in ways that reconnect community.
It has got me thinking about a few things and I'm aware I'm about to challenge some cherished ideas. One of our plans was to establish a food bank but I'm wondering now if that is the best, most grace filled use of resources. Would it not be better to establish some type of food cooperative where in return for a modest contribution we use the power of group buying to multiply the food we could then buy in bulk? Food banks are doing an amazing job, and tragically are necessary even in Britain in 2015. But they are also a symbol of having failed as a parent, of being unable to provide for your children. How much better if instead we can provide a system that multiplies the value of the little they do have enabling children to see parents providing and the value of community? Even better if we involve those in need in running such a scheme alongside church volunteers engendering a sense of community and pride.
Along similar lines I've been thinking about trying to establish a community allotment site. Where families can have an area of land to work to grow fresh fruit and vegetables. Giving them something to do together as a family project, but also enabling them to provide for their families much more cheaply than they can buy fresh produce. Again the community nature of such a scheme also has value and would enable us to buy seed, tools etc in bulk. The issue here for us is a piece of land on which to start such a scheme.
What we must avoid is charity which leaves the recipient unable to look us in the eye, or feeling indebted to us, or somehow lesser than the giver. That as far as I can see is far short of what the bible calls us to when it calls us to love our neighbour. There's loads more applications and implications of this and maybe I'll joy others down as thoughts and ideas solidify.
It is easy to come breezing in with an attitude that effectively looks to dish out help, advice, money, and support as if from someone who is sorted to someone in need. But the longer I spend with families in the community, the longer I look into the eyes of those we serve the more wrong our often glib view of what 'help' looks like seems.
As those who have gospel values; who believe that every ones greatest need is their eternal need and that they need to come to know Jesus, who value people as made in God's image, who want to love our neighbour, who believe we have been given much to give lavishly to the world, we want to serve others. But so often the way we do so is clumsy and can end up doing more harm than good. Lupton's book has solidified some of the things I've been seeing in and around our community as well as providing the stimulus to sit down and try and draw some conclusions about how we help those in need. Whilst these are preliminary and blurry around the edges, at best, I thought they'd be worth noting down here.
Too often we seem to switch into charity mode when we see those in need, be it a homeless man begging on the street, or a family in need - we have, they don't, therefore we give. But whilst the compassion behind it is right often our way of showing it is faulty. Charity emasculates people, it stripes them of their dignity, it undermines an often already battered self confidence or self esteem, it embarrasses them in front of their families and friends. What our deprived communities need are friends, people who will commit to knowing, loving, and staying. Friends who are committed to long term transformation not hit and run help or charity dispensed from a distance. We need to structure support in such a way that it enables people to change, to learn, to develop, teaching them to do for themselves so that they become thriving families and doing so in ways that reconnect community.
It has got me thinking about a few things and I'm aware I'm about to challenge some cherished ideas. One of our plans was to establish a food bank but I'm wondering now if that is the best, most grace filled use of resources. Would it not be better to establish some type of food cooperative where in return for a modest contribution we use the power of group buying to multiply the food we could then buy in bulk? Food banks are doing an amazing job, and tragically are necessary even in Britain in 2015. But they are also a symbol of having failed as a parent, of being unable to provide for your children. How much better if instead we can provide a system that multiplies the value of the little they do have enabling children to see parents providing and the value of community? Even better if we involve those in need in running such a scheme alongside church volunteers engendering a sense of community and pride.
Along similar lines I've been thinking about trying to establish a community allotment site. Where families can have an area of land to work to grow fresh fruit and vegetables. Giving them something to do together as a family project, but also enabling them to provide for their families much more cheaply than they can buy fresh produce. Again the community nature of such a scheme also has value and would enable us to buy seed, tools etc in bulk. The issue here for us is a piece of land on which to start such a scheme.
What we must avoid is charity which leaves the recipient unable to look us in the eye, or feeling indebted to us, or somehow lesser than the giver. That as far as I can see is far short of what the bible calls us to when it calls us to love our neighbour. There's loads more applications and implications of this and maybe I'll joy others down as thoughts and ideas solidify.
Friday, 3 July 2015
Working for the Good of our communities - Part 1
I was asked in a governors meeting the other day what our churches mission statement was. I was relieved that on the spot I could say it "to be grace in the community to the glory of God." The question is how are we being grace in the community.
Partially we do that every Sunday as we meet and proclaim the gospel, as we model the gospel to them in the way we care for one another and in the way grace overflows in our love for those in the community outside our fellowship. We are grace in the community as we hold events and invite people in, as we cook and support and share.
But we also want to be grace in the community as we look to bring to the community basic things it needs in order to flourish. The impact of Grace Church being in Hayfield ought to be obvious, there ought to be a hole in the life of the community if we were not there. Hayfield ought to flourish because of the prayers, presence and purposeful service of God's people in their midst.
That is quite a challenge. It got me thinking where can we encourage flourishing and well being where it doesn't exist? Where can we serve and love and care? How do we make that sustainable as a small church which is not either financially rich or people rich?
Those questions must drive me to God's word again and again and again. People's greatest need is their eternal need, they need Jesus. First and foremost the Bible ensures that I put that foundation in place, and keeps on bringing me back to that. But it also encourages me to pray for God to send workers, partners, and prayers. And that's prayer we want to make daily.
Monday, 20 October 2014
Is Christianity a middle class faith?
That's a huge question we need to ask ourselves. As we look at our churches are they mono-culture in terms of class? Which class is it and how does that affect us as a church?
For the majority of churches in the UK the answer is that they are middle class, so questions follow from that. Is the outreach we are doing middle class in its appeal? Do we subtly teach middle classes values as if they were gospel values? Do we care about other classes and if so how is that seen?
As you read the Acts of the Apostles and the the letters written by the Apostles to those churches you can't help but be struck by how multi-class as well as multicultural they are. In Acts 2 and 4 rich landowners sell land to provide for the poor. In the second half of Acts we see Paul facilitating a collection for the churches struggling from those churches who are more wealthy. In Corinth the Lord's supper showcases the gulf in wealth between members, in James he warns the church against favouring the rich over the poor. These are churches which have drawn people from all across the social spectrum with all its potential tensions. But what these churches won't do is simply mirror societies divisions because to do so would be counter the gospel.
So how come in the UK we have largely ended up with mono-culture churches? How has this happened and what will we do about it? There are lots of potential reasons, my hunch is it will be a slightly different story for different churches. But what is not in doubt is that there is a real need to establish congregations in areas of urban need. Not in 10 years time but now, why because it is an unprecedented time of opportunity in these communities. It is these areas of urban need that are most feeling the squeeze of the benefit and service cuts and which will take the longest to recover.
Just thinking about the area in which we live and which Grace Church serves, an area with a range of social backgrounds but with a high percentage of social needs. One of the first casualties was the local children's centre, desperately needed and doing great work among needy families but now closed (or rather run at another site 2 bus journeys away!!!). Then the local youth group closed. Then the travelling library service was stopped. There are no community use buildings, no village hall, and rapidly multiplying needs. As the church in the UK now is the time of opportunity to reach out in these areas and meet needs. To provide services and establish congregations that serve these people and hold out the hope of the gospel to them as we live alongside them.
Not that we always need to start new things. Whilst in some places we may need to in many places there are small local congregations working hard but with limited budgets and personnel in those communities. What a difference it would make to them to have a wealthier church support and partner with them financially and in prayer. What a difference such a partnership in the gospel would make. What an opportunity to share ideas, challenges, prayer points, gifting, finances. Churches can't change where they are located, but they can multiply the areas in which they have an interest and an involvement by partnering with other churches.
The church cannot afford to be mono-class. If it is it is failing in its mission, something is missing in the picture of the transformation of the gospel which it provides. Partnership working is one potential way to begin to overcome that danger, challenge potential prejudices and encourage gospel growth in maturity. As well as to invest in seeing others come to faith and God's kingdom and fame spread.
For the majority of churches in the UK the answer is that they are middle class, so questions follow from that. Is the outreach we are doing middle class in its appeal? Do we subtly teach middle classes values as if they were gospel values? Do we care about other classes and if so how is that seen?
As you read the Acts of the Apostles and the the letters written by the Apostles to those churches you can't help but be struck by how multi-class as well as multicultural they are. In Acts 2 and 4 rich landowners sell land to provide for the poor. In the second half of Acts we see Paul facilitating a collection for the churches struggling from those churches who are more wealthy. In Corinth the Lord's supper showcases the gulf in wealth between members, in James he warns the church against favouring the rich over the poor. These are churches which have drawn people from all across the social spectrum with all its potential tensions. But what these churches won't do is simply mirror societies divisions because to do so would be counter the gospel.
So how come in the UK we have largely ended up with mono-culture churches? How has this happened and what will we do about it? There are lots of potential reasons, my hunch is it will be a slightly different story for different churches. But what is not in doubt is that there is a real need to establish congregations in areas of urban need. Not in 10 years time but now, why because it is an unprecedented time of opportunity in these communities. It is these areas of urban need that are most feeling the squeeze of the benefit and service cuts and which will take the longest to recover.
Just thinking about the area in which we live and which Grace Church serves, an area with a range of social backgrounds but with a high percentage of social needs. One of the first casualties was the local children's centre, desperately needed and doing great work among needy families but now closed (or rather run at another site 2 bus journeys away!!!). Then the local youth group closed. Then the travelling library service was stopped. There are no community use buildings, no village hall, and rapidly multiplying needs. As the church in the UK now is the time of opportunity to reach out in these areas and meet needs. To provide services and establish congregations that serve these people and hold out the hope of the gospel to them as we live alongside them.
Not that we always need to start new things. Whilst in some places we may need to in many places there are small local congregations working hard but with limited budgets and personnel in those communities. What a difference it would make to them to have a wealthier church support and partner with them financially and in prayer. What a difference such a partnership in the gospel would make. What an opportunity to share ideas, challenges, prayer points, gifting, finances. Churches can't change where they are located, but they can multiply the areas in which they have an interest and an involvement by partnering with other churches.
The church cannot afford to be mono-class. If it is it is failing in its mission, something is missing in the picture of the transformation of the gospel which it provides. Partnership working is one potential way to begin to overcome that danger, challenge potential prejudices and encourage gospel growth in maturity. As well as to invest in seeing others come to faith and God's kingdom and fame spread.
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
The Christian and Social Involvement
Last night we held the first of our Where the Rubber Hits the Road series looking at The Christian and... Last night it was social involvement.
We began with 3 questions:
We began with 3 questions:
- Is social involvement something we should do as well as evangelism?
- Is it a means of doing evangelism?
- Or is it a distraction from the main task of making the gospel known?
The case for social involvement
We begin, as we must Biblically, with the character of God (Ps 146:7-9). God is a God of justice and therefore opposed to those who commit injustice. God expects his people to mirror his justice (Deut 10:18-19, Prov 31:8-9, Lev 19:9-18). In OT God condemns Israel for their indifference to the poor and injustice they tolerate (Is 58:3-7, Amos 8:4-6, Mal 3:5). In fact social involvement was to mark out the people of God (Deut 15:11, 24:17-22).
As we move into the New Testament the emphasis is the same (Matt 25:31-46, James 1:27, Gal 6:10, Acts 4:34-35, Mark 12:30-31, 1 John 3:16-17). The believers in the new community are called to social involvement as part of discipleship. To show God's love and stand for God's justice.
The case for evangelizing the poor
One of the key questions we must answer as Christians is what is peoples most pressing need?
(Matt 6:19-20, 7:12-14, 10:28, 12:13-21) The Bible says it is to be reconciled to God and escape his wrath. Our eternal fate is more important than what happens to us in this life.
This is also the greatest need of the poor. It is never enough just to address peoples felt needs. They are a good starting point but no one articulates God’s judgement as a felt need. Without an awareness of eternal need we will find ourselves focusing on temporal needs. So proclaiming the gospel must be central as we engage with peoples temporal needs.
WE must be those who love God, marvel at his grace to us and magnify him by reflecting his concerns and love for others. Both as we engage in Social Action among our communities and as we share and proclaim the gospel to people.
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