:: AIP#64 - Total Church #4: Social Involvement (10.11.2009)

[Yes, I'm actually posting this recap within the same week the gathering happened. Weird, I know...]

With the "Fall Break-sized" rainy gathering on Sunday night, breakfast for dinner was delicious, and the discussion of social involvement was one of the best we've had yet: challenging, and for many of us, I believe convicting, as we consider God's role for us as we truly love "the least of these" who live among us everyday.


Summary:
Traditionally, in reflection of the "business" mindset of the rest of the world, folks in the church likes things clean, professional, comfortable, polished, and well-run. But how does that fit with Jesus' near-constant encouragement to love the poor, the broken, the widow, the orphan, the immigrant? How does that fit with Jesus' actions of eating with sinners, letting a prostitute wash his feet, and encouraging followers not to invite rich folks to their feast, but instead to invite poor?

Without neglecting the need to engage and share Christ with wealthy folks, our discussion centered around actually loving the least of those in Fort Worth: not just waltzing into their world once a month, distributing "good things" and disappearing; not just trying to "fix" them. Instead, we talked about how the best way to love all of our neighbors is no different than last week's discussion: it happens in relationship, and it happens as we adopt a posture of learning.

It means that we cross racial, socio-economic, and other lines that society and the church typically draws and spend time with folks, not immediately meeting needs, but simply getting to know their names and their stories. Then over time, needs arise, which can be met by a friend, not just a disconnected benefactor. And these friendships and relationships can also be the context in which the greatest need of all is met, as felt needs lead to a realization of the greatest need of all, the gospel. There are marginalized people living among us. There are widows, orphans, immigrants, poor, and homeless all over our city. What if we saw them as people, not projects, and built the same community and relationships with them as we would with anyone else?


Further discussion:

• The authors speak of a "reversal of socioeconomic values" that places great priority on caring for the poor. Is such a reversal possible in your life? In our church community?
• The authors claim that "evangelicalism has become a largely middle-class, professional phenomenon." Do you agree? Why/why not?
• The chapter quotes a woman as saying, "I know people do a lot to help me. But what I want is someone to be my friend." Are you willing to see "the least of these" as people, not projects? What makes it hard/awkward/uncomfortable?
• How can you begin to build community with widows, orphans, immigrants, poor, homeless, or otherwise marginalized people? What can The City Church community do to help you?

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