When Helping Hurts

This is a thought-provoking book, and for those interested in serving in underresourced communities, its content is worthy of reflection!

The following is taken from the When Helping Hurts website:

"Churches and individual Christians typically have faulty assumptions about the causes of poverty, resulting in strategies that do considerable harm to poor people as well as to themselves. When Helping Hurts is a book by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert of the Chalmers Center for Economic Development that directly addresses these assumptions.

The book provides foundational concepts and clear principles for helping the poor without hurting them. It then presents proven interventions and relevant applications for churches to use when ministering to the poor both at home and abroad, including advice about short-term missions programs."

Trinity in North Chicago?

Our dream and prayer with Faith Alive in North Chicago is that we desire to see local, Gospel-centered, sustainable ministry in North Chicago through embracing mutually beneficial partnerships. North Chicago has so much to offer, and I think God has gifted students at Trinity to offer something as well.

Gordon College has an incredible program, doing just this. Here are a few quotes from the assistant director and a youtube link to hear more about the program from Val (director).

“If we desire to educate students to be caring global citizens, perhaps our greatest role is to help them become rooted in a caring local community that is service-oriented and kenotic, one that places them in contexts where they are forced to reckon with and empty themselves out to the other just as they are being served and filled with new understanding.” – Christen Yates (Gordon College)

“The possibilities for placed-based learning in Lynn extend as far as our collaborating imaginations can dream; the potential payoff in the development of the next generation of Christian leaders is even greater.” –Christen Yates (Gordon College)

Please follow this link to hear from Val about their University-Community partnership. It is our hope and prayer that this develops here.

Praise the Lord.

CCDA reflections

My heart is overwhelmed today. I almost tear up as I write. What I have experienced over the past four days at the Christian Community Development Association Conference has been so....good for me.

The conference is overwhelming Christ-centered. It's not a rah-rah group about changing the world, but a humble group finding joy in the Lord through submission to Him and solidarity with one another. In response to the Gospel, we all are seeking to live the call of loving God and loving our neighbor by making and strengthening disciples in Christ. There is tangible love present as people come from very difficult ministries to pray, worship, fellowship, learn about CCD, learn from others, grow in ministry equipping and study the Bible.

Every morning begins with robust worship followed by a Gospel centered, Spirit driven Bible study by John Perkins. We talk about sin, disobedience, grace, forgiveness, reconciliation, the Cross of Christ..."don't let people take the cross away from you," John Perkins says. Everything about CCDA flows from loving God and loving others, guided by the Word of God and His Spirit.

There is fantastic kingdom diversity here. Corporate worship feels like a glimpse of every tribe, nation, tongue and people falling at the throne of God. Small conversations turn into long ones. It seems every person has an incredible story to tell.

To sum, it feels like a family (with 3,000 members). And we care for and encourage one another as some have come from the most challenging areas in the United States.

Soon, some of us will probably write more about the content of the conference...and to be sure, there have been things I have disagreed with, but that's good for me too. I'm thankful for my Trinity friends here and look forward to being home soon.

Please check out CCDA (http://www.ccda.org/) It’s worth it.

Thanks for reading, God bless.

by Danny Hartman

Evangelism and Social Concern

I grabbed this from Janessa's note on facebook. Thanks Janessa!

Here are some interesting statements from Richard Peace who taught at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

People "are suspicious of evangelism because they feel that it is irrelevant to what they understand to be the 'real issues' in the world today - such as hunger, racial hatred and war," and, "It has often been said that the reason there are so many social problems is that 'not enough people care.' True enough. But often people do not care because they cannot care. Their own problems are so deep and so consuming that they can only be concerned about themselves. Such people can begin to care only when they start to cope with these personal needs. This becomes possible when they find new life in Christ. Evangelism is therefore the foundation for social concern, in that by finding Christ, individuals are freed enough from their own needs to be able to reach out to meet the needs of others."

Thoughts?

Deep Justice

An excerpt from Kara Powell’s book, Deep Justice in a Broken World

“Not-So-Deep-Service: Service makes us feel like a “great…savior” who rescues the broken.

Deep Justice: Justice means God does the rescuing, but often he works through the united power of his great and diverse community to do it.

Not-So-Deep-Service: Service often dehumanizes (even if only subtly) those who are labeled the "receivers."

Deep Justice: Justice restores human dignity by creating an environment in which all involved “give” and “receive” in a spirit of reciprocal learning and mutual ministry.

Not-So-Deep-Service: Service is something we do for others.

Deep Justice: Justice is something we do with others.

Not-So-Deep-Service: Service is an event.

Deep Justice: Justice is a lifestyle.

Not-So-Deep-Service: Service expects something immediately.

Deep Justice: Justice hopes for results some time soon but recognizes that systemic change takes time.

Not-So-Deep-Service: The goal of service is to help others.

Deep Justice: The goal of justice is to remove obstacles so others can help themselves.

Not-So-Deep-Service: Service focuses on what our own ministry can accomplish.

Deep Justice: Justice focuses on how we can work with other ministries to accomplish even more.

Not-So-Deep-Service: Service is serving food at the local homeless shelter.

Deep Justice: Justice means asking why people are hungry and homeless in the first place—and then doing something about it.”

What are your thoughts on this? How can this type of thinking be applied to the church? I think this is worthy to reflect on: how to live justly while making and strengthening disciples in Christ.

“Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.” Psalm 82:3

Justice Is as Justice Does?

This is worthy of review!

A Conversation between Friends

Josh: Ok, Jeff, I hear you talk a lot about social justice, but what do you actually mean when you say that? It sounds really grand and, to be honest, maybe a bit self-important. But I’m unclear as to what this concept entails; it seems kind of vague.

Jeff: Yeah, it can be vague. Many who use the phrase don’t tend to define it. Instead, some will mention a list of issues – like racism, gender discrimination, classism, etc. But that’s not a definition. Still, any definition should be broad, if not vague. Therefore, Christopher Wright has written about mishpat (“justice”) in the “broadest terms” as actions undertaken to set things write – like they will be in heaven.

Josh: All right, but how is that any different from love? When I think of interpersonal relationships, shouldn’t love be what is primary? What is so significant about justice?

Jeff: In Luke 11:42, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for neglecting “the justice and the love of God.” The two are certainly related, but not identical. It seems that justice places certain demands on us pertaining to others in our society. But if I’ve heard you correctly, Josh, your question makes it sound like you think of justice merely as a subcategory of love.

Josh: Yeah, I guess that is where I was coming from. But I see your point – both love and justice do have social implications. I do care about these values; and I am sincere when I pray for God's kingdom – with all of the justice and love that it brings – to come on earth. But I guess I’m wondering what that looks like for me here and now. What am I supposed to be doing? I can’t save the world, and it irritates me when people like Bono preach at me as if I am to blame for the world’s problems because I’m not doing enough.

Jeff: Ugh, I hear you. Vocal, Bono-quoting Christians who wear their commitment to end poverty on their sleeve are often dismissed as “liberals,” or “guilt-trippers.” I should be more careful. But my instinct is that here at Trinity, we should, at least, be preparing ourselves to engage a world fraught with injustice. Let me ask you this: do you think that when you graduate you’ll be ready to lead your church – whether you’re in the suburbs or the city – to address urban poverty?

Josh: Not really. Back in undergrad when I was living in Knoxville, I used to talk with homeless people quite often in a given week; but it seems like since I’ve moved to the suburbs, I’ve forgotten how to interact with poor people, let alone lead a congregation to minister to them. I know that God has a heart for the poor, and I care too; but there’s only so much time, and my main priority must be preaching the gospel and addressing spiritual poverty.

Jeff: I’m certainly not asking you to “neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.” What I am seeking is that we become ready to comfort the Chicago mothers who lost their children in the drive-by shootings this summer. How is “Christ died for sinners,” Good News to them? Frankly, one of my annoyances is the way that people forget that sin isn’t just a private matter between “me and God”; it affects every part of society. So, how could the complicated injustices be solved simply by preaching good theology?

Josh: Point taken. Evangelism and practical deeds of compassion and justice are linked; and I haven’t forgotten James’ warning about a dead faith that says, “Keep warm and well fed,” and then does nothing about someone’s physical needs. But my concern comes from looking at church history. I remember with sadness how the social gospel replaced the message of the cross and how acts of justice and mercy supplanted an emphasis on saving faith. Even today, I have noticed how my friends can get really excited about “being agents of social justice” and then lose their passion for Christ and him crucified.

Jeff: I’ve got friends who’ve gone that way, too. I’ll be up front. I don’t have a good answer. But John Stott’s quote haunts me: “Evangelical Christians during this century have tended to be in the rearguard, instead of in the vanguard, of social reformers.” That’s us. And I think we need to talk about these things.

by Joshua Beckett and Jeff Liou (featured in 2008 Graduate Scrawl)

The Promise of Peace

Recently I've encountered different avenues in the world as I'm experiencing it through which to explore grief and loss. It's one thing to feel my own pain, it's another to consider it in the lives of others, and I think we find some mutual grace in sharing the "unshareable (Prov. 14:10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy)". Work as a counselor keeps me hashing through some of these things as I consider how to make sense of the world clients are living in, with various forms of loss and suffering attached to the work we'll do together. I've found that I can't "sell" the idea of hope unless I believe in it, and so was deeply encouraged by the following this afternoon, another "category" for hope in my mind and heart:

Feeling some unrest deep within, I prayed, "Lord, may I know it is well with my soul." As that prayer came out, I realized the wording wasn't what it would normally have been. What I'd typically pray is for God to give rest, give a feeling of being well--to reintroduce those feelings I'd lost. But maybe there's a sense in which that rest and wellness come through recognizing what we have, the state that our souls, and with our souls our selves are in: we have the promise of peace, of full protection and security. On the days that serve to melt down our sense of being safe, sense of being well, we can know that this safe place, this safe state before the Lord cannot be rocked, and I feel a little out of my mind to think about how profoundly, unbelievably precious that is for us as we rest in Christ.

Lamentations 3:21-22

21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.


1 Peter 1:3-9

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

by Heather Donald

Racism and the Church

I have made Sign of The Dove my “home church” now that I’m living in North Chicago. I knew that moving up to North Chicago would present many learning opportunities for me that I could not have within a classroom at Trinity. One of the best things about living up here has been my new church family at Sign of the Dove. This vibrant community of worshippers is predominately composed of African Americans, but really is a rich multi-ethnic church. Today I attended my second class of an awesome Sunday School elective entitled, “Racism and the Church”. In this discussion-based setting, I had the privilege of listening to and interacting with the thoughts of my diverse brothers and sisters in Christ.

Today the question came up regarding being “color blind”. You know, the people who say regarding race, “I don’t see black, or white, or brown or anything. I am color blind to the differences. We are all the same. We are all one.” When the question was posed, “Is this a bad term to use?” I thought that the response would be a resounding ‘yes’ from the attendees. (Note: I had previously heard this term used by other white mentors and ministry leaders and would always cringe because I wanted to say, “Be real people! We look different! We are different! Don’t lie to yourselves!”) Well, initially, it appeared that my premonition was correct. The first hand that shot up said, “Yes, it is definitely a bad term. We should not deny the obvious and ignore the distinctiveness of each other’s cultures and differences.” That was basically what was said. But then there was a retort from the opposing view that I had never heard before.

Another member of the class offered up the following thoughts (I’m paraphrasing by notes and memory)… “This term is not necessarily bad. Sure we must not diminish our cultural identities, but as we are one in Christ, it (color) should not be the first thing we look to. If spiritual maturity is being preached from the pulpit, the congregation will look in another direction besides race. If race issues and cultural distinctives are preached, then our differences will be more apparent. When focusing on our adoption into God’s family and spiritual maturity within that context we won’t realize race.” This long-standing member of the church went on to share that though they are actually of minority status within the church, it has never been at the forefront of their mind. They shared stories of being welcomed into the ministries and fellowship in the church and how they really did not see a difference in skin color because of focus on spiritual maturity in the body of believers.

What do you think? Is “color blind” a bad term when referring to racial differences? Can it be an accurate depiction of reality?


"Whatever happens, as citizens of heaven live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together with one accord for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." -Philippians 1:27-2:4

by Mark Hershey

Ministries of Mercy

Some thoughts from Tim Keller’s book, Ministries of Mercy, and how it affects my life here in North Chicago.

Keller writes, “The ministry of mercy is expensive, and our willingness to carry it out is a critical sign of our submission to the lordship of Christ.” What is ministry of mercy? And what does it mean to be willing to carry it out?

Ministries of mercy do not begin with justice, compassion or community action. They begin with receiving the mercy of God and responding to such grace by loving Him and loving others. The starting point is God, not us. The Spirit has given us instruction:

God tells us to be merciful, even as He is merciful (Luke 6:36). We are also told to forgive as God forgives (Matthew 6:12,14-15), and to love as God loves (1 John 4:7-12). Who is able to fulfill this call? He tells us to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. If these are the greatest commandments, who can keep them? This “humbles us with the love God requires, so we will be willing to receive the love God offers.”

“To receive the mercy of God, we must all come first to the place where we despair of our own moral efforts.” We don’t show mercy on our own, nor do we forgive on our own, nor do we love on our own. We love because God first loved us. This is His mercy, that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

Ministries of mercy, therefore, are so intimately tied up with our identity in Christ, that it makes sense for Keller to point out that these acts of compassion are evidence of Christ in us.

I attend a church now where a person stood and said he thanked God that this church does not theoretically debate the role of mercy in the Christian life. When a Spirit-filled brother or sister sees a need, they will love because they have been loved and forgiven (Luke 7:47; 1 John 3:16-18). The ministry of the Word is first (it is in this church), and ministry of mercy is woven intimately within the person proclaiming it.

How does this play out in living in North Chicago? First, I’m learning from a church body who loves deeply within and outside its walls. It is such a blessing to be a part of. Second, as I often despair of my own efforts, I rest in God’s mercy and am rejuvenated by His love. Third, each day I try to say “Lord, I am willing.” Thank God for His mercy.

by Daniel Hartman