A Biblical Foundation for Christian Community Development

(Downtown Philly!
I did not take this picture...thanks gettyimages.com!)

This blog is dedicated to Sherry...she is such a beautiful woman. She always finds a way to encourage me and lift me up. I spent two summers working near her at Valley Church in West Des Moines, and my dad just told me that she wants me to update my blog more! : ) I love you, Sherry!


I am in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania right now. 2 hours from New York City. 3 hours from Washington DC. 24 hours from Waco. 17 hours from West Des Moines. 18 hours driving + 6 hour boat ride from Haiti.

I'm taking a class at Truett Seminary in Waco, Texas this week. The class MSSN 7387: Community Development and Ministry is a one-week intensive class in Philadelphia. We're learning about social change and the Christian mindset. Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) is having their annual conference in Philadelphia, so as a part of the class, we're attending the conference for half the week.

The other part of the class is a serious of lectures focusing on community development by Christians, tours of inner-city churches and non-profit Christian organizations, and a glimpse of inner-city life in Philadelphia.

I've been thirsting for some life in a city lately.
I love Waco and I love Baylor,
but I've been in a deperate need to escape the Suburban mindsets for a while.
And, Philly is exactly what I needed.

Tonight we had our first lecture, and I am blown away. There are 23 students taking this class with me...from all over the world. I can't believe the diversity of the 23 people that sat in one room: black, brown, caramel, rich, poor, educated in the university, educated on the streets, American, African, young, old. It was beautiful. It was very Kingdom.

Jimmy Dorrell, my pastor at Church Under the Bridge, was the first lecturer tonight.

If you don't have time to read the rest of my blog, or you don't want to...Here's what he talked about:

Christians are called to serve the poor.
Christians are called to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to Earth.
Christianity is deeper than "my salvation."

Now...Here's a brief summary of my notes.

Old Testament Examples of
God's Care for the Poor and Oppressed:

1.) The Year of Jubilee:
Every 50 years was the year of Jubilee. All land was to go back to the original owner. It was to clean the slate and start over. God commanded us to do this so the rich don't get richer and the poor don't get poorer. Systems can become sinful...not just individuals.

2.) Amos and Micah:
Pretty much the social-justice guys! And, they were community developers!

Amos talked to a super-spiritual crowd (much like Baylor)...where the poor were being taken advantage of by the rich. God is sick of the rich's outward religious talk!

Micah told us in 6:8 to love justice and mercy and to walk humbly with the Creator.

3.) Isaiah 58 and 61:
Rebuild the cities! Good news for the poor is coming (Jesus)!! Stop doing religious fasting/practices, and help the poor!!!!

You must balance these religious practices with acts!!!
Get out there are care for the people!

Christians flock to the 'burbs...and the Church is no longer in the city!!!

It's about the New Jerusalem!!! The Kingdom!! The City!!

4.) Sodom and Gommorah (Ezekial 16:49):
Sodom's sin wasn't just sexual charades...It was the apathetic attitudes towards to poor and the overconsumption! Arrogant...unconcerned with the poor...overfed.

New Testament Examples of
God's Care for the Poor and Oppressed:

1.) Sheep and the Goats! (Matthew 25):
Christianity isn't just about MY salvation...it's about helping the least of these. You go to Hell if you don't help the least of these! Ouch! I've never heard that preached before!!

~Matthew 25: Judgement for those who don't help the least of these
~My Salvation: Judgemnt for those who aren't saved

***It's both! You have to do both! The ultra-Evangelical movement has made it all about MY salvation! The "turn or burn" movement took it to an extreme!! They are both true!! It's not either/or!

To be Biblically mature, you must have some tensions!

There is now a move of Christians going to the other extreme...making Christianity about social justice. HOWEVER!! WARNING!!! You cannot go to the other extreme! It is about my salvation and helping the least of these!

2.) Beattitudes:
Blessed are the physically and the spiritually poor

How do you deal with that?

3.) 1 John 3:17:
Specifically aimed at wealthy people who do not care for the poor.

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?"

Christianity is bigger than words. It's about your actions.

4.) Galatians 2:10:

Remember the poor.

We Then Talked About Serving...Why Do People Serve???

1.) People Serve... For Self-Interest
-volunteer work for your resume
-help 'cause it makes you feel good inside

2.) People Serve...Because of the Moral Order
-help 'cause it's a societal thing.

3.) People Serve...Because God Says So
-help 'cause God helped you and you should help someone else.

4.) People Serve...Because of Love
-help 'cause Christ's love compels me to.
-I can't not love the city and the poor, because God loves me.

THE BIG MOMENT!!! THE BIG POINT!!! DON'T MISS THIS!!

The Great Reversal: Early 1900s

-The Conservative Christians ran away from the Liberals!
AND...This incredible tension developed.

Conservatives: "Turn or Burn" Focus on Evangelism
Liberals: Social Justice

Must be both!!
The two sides must be integrated*!!!
Both are Christianity!

Here's the part for you to reflect upon:
What kind of church do you go to???

1.) Pillar Church: Power people, wealthy, strong downtown church, important, connections, money, influence.

2.) Pilgrim Church: Relocated to where their people are coming from, suburban church, focus on church growth, homogeneous, look alike, think alike.

3.) Survivor Church: In city, survived crisis after crisis, attitude of "yeah, but we're still here", been in the location for a loooong time.

4.) Servant Church: Take care of each one another. The kind of church you want to be at when you're sick.

5.) Prophet Church: Fighting against cultural norms, challenge the "wine-skins" of traditional church, heterogenous mix.

The image we have of our church changes and shapes the way the church does community development!

There are different people inside the churches who are challenging their church to be Kingdom-fill...
-Innovators!
-Early Adopters
-Middle Adopters
-Late Adopters
-Resisters

Who Are You???

I am definitely a LATE adopter, and I am still resisting some of this!!! : )
God, please soften my hard, selfish heart!!!!!!!

Well, basically, I am just sooo excited for this week!!!! This is exactly where I'm supposed to me right now! I couldn't think of anything else I'd rather be doing!

Tomorrow morning, we're taking a tour of lots of different inner-city churches...and looking at everything from the type of cars in the parking lot to who their audience is to what type of ministries they run to who funds them!

I am so stinkin' excited!

Then, lots more lecutures and tours!

Please leave me your thoughts and questions!!!
I want to hear what you're thinking!

P.S. I met a guy tonight who spent 3 months in Haiti when he was 24 years old! We went by himself to learn what it's like to live in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. We talked a lot about our experiences pre, during, and post! What a blessing from God that was!

*Holistic (25 cent word for integration!)

Lyrics I'm Humming:
Jesus Loves Me, This I Know