'The development of a tree dependson where it is planted.'
Wayne Gordon, John Perkins, Michael Emerson, Ray Bakke, Robert Lupton; I'll say that several years ago these names meant very little to me, yet of late they’ve taken a predominant role.
Though at first seemingly provocative, I've found untold enrichment through their collective expression of the gospel. In accentuating timeless themes of grace, justice, truth, and obedience they've point out good soil to those who care to hear. In an age that hungers and thirsts for authentic expressions of faith - they remind us of the more simple realities of faith, hope, and love.
Time may or may not call for exact articulation of this journey, yet I do feel compelled to share the following. First, an article written by Tim Keller entitled The Gospel and the Poor. While it captures shades of Lupton and Perkins work, it also provides an excellent theological framework for gospel ministry. The second is a 9-10 minute video clip taken from a Lupton lecture, this will comprise a post in the near future.
For simplicity, I've included four inserts from The Gospel and the Poor. Each intend to reflect nuances of the thoughts and convictions which have slowly been forming over the last several years. If interested, a link to the entire article has been provided. And while nineteen pages may seem long, I submit to you that it will provide a spiritual boon for those who care to invest.
The church is not simply a collection of individuals who are forgiven. It is a "royal nation", a new society (I Pet. 2:9). The world must see in us the wisdom of God, namely, what family life, business practices, race relations, and inter-personal relationships can be in all their beauty under the kingship of Jesus Christ. We are a pilot plant of the kingdom of God. (See Francis Schaeffer, Pollution and the Death of Man, Tyndale, 1970, pp. 81-93.) The church is to use its gifts and power to heal all the results of sin, spiritual, psychological, social, physical.
The main reason that the city has deteriorated has been because the middle class and able, stable families have left behind the less stable and able. Traditional private charity and government bureaucracy only provide impersonal "commuting" compassion from people who drive in, provide services, and leave.
"It is not difficult to create a ghetto: simply remove the more capable neighbors....We can create a culture of chronically dependent people merely by extracting the upwardly mobile role models from the community....All it takes is for us to pursue our own personal dreams and concentrate only on what seems best for our own families and leave the job of being a good neighbor--neighboring--to agencies. Those left behind...do not need more arm's length social services--government or religious. If social programs were effective substitutes for neighbors, the last thirty years of costly government investments would have eliminated their poverty. Programs do not restore communities--only neighbors do that....they need [once again] educated neighbors to raise the standards of their schools. They need politically active neighbors who will help to organize against crime and drugs on their streets and playgrounds. They need spiritual neighbors to re-open the churches and business-minded neighbors to stimulate legitimate enterprise. They need handy neighbors to help restore the charm of their streetscapes. They need the sturdy strands of neighbors with moral and ethical values..."
Jesus has spoken powerfully about the definition of being a "neighbor" to others (Luke 10: 25-37). We must distinguish "reneighboring" from mere relocation, which can lead to gentrification, which pushes up rents and pushes out the needy from a community. Reneighboring means to come in looking to be an influence on the common good of the community and aiming to do "reweaving" and "reconciliation"."Spiritual capital" refers to the spiritual and moral influence of the churches in the neighborhood. The weakening of neighborhoods economically and socially goes hand in hand with their spiritual weakening. Strong Christians have left as fast (if not faster) than others. This leaves little leadership for the weakened churches. In addition, another dynamic has created a flow of spiritual capital out of the community.
Grace and Peace
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