Ostrich Chronicles: What We Don’t See about Poverty

Okay, so I am way behind on my blog since the Miley Cyrus/Robin Thicke fiasco. It’s called being a pastor, and the real job occasionally gets in the way of the writing that I really enjoy. (Yes, blogging could be considered part of the job, but not the most important one–so it’s often the first to go).

I read with great interest the articles and commentary about the city of Raleigh, NC’s reaction to groups working to feed the homeless. I knew a few people involved in the Love Wins Ministries flap that brought attention to city laws–both in Raleigh and beyond, even in the state of South Carolina.

For the record, a public outcry has resulted in a change in the law in both Raleigh and Columbia, SC; but there is still plenty of debate about how to deal with the homeless. One of the places where the debate is not being addressed, at least not extensively enough, is in the church.

A number of churches contribute to Love Wins Ministries and other efforts to feed the homeless in Moore Square in Raleigh. But what are those churches doing to address all of the issues of homelessness, or even bring the homeless inside our own doors?

Before we completely throw the governments of various municipalities under the bus, let’s understand the reasons for their actions, as well as ours. Their objective is often to protect citizens, raise revenue, and build business–none of which is helped by an excessively visible homeless population. So they reacted with the tools at their disposal, with regulation designed to make the homeless go away.

Lack of compassion and concern for the “least of these”? Absolutely. But I want to believe (perhaps naively) that they were primarily reacting out of fear and ignorance. They just don’t know what to do about poverty and homelessness.

And before we get sanctimonious and self-righteous, let us admit:  Neither do we.

It’s one thing to box up meals and take them to the homeless. It’s another thing altogether to invite them into our churches, create ministries that open our doors to the poor, and change our budgets to reflect an overwhelming concern for those that Jesus commanded us to reach in Matthew 25:31-46.

In fact, we generally don’t view poverty as a “sexy” topic anymore, as pointed out by one of my favorite bloggers, Jamie the Very Worst Missionary. (The “sexy” was for my wife, who absolutely despises the excessive use of that word in general commentary). We do plenty, but we have failed miserably to make the wholesale changes required of our churches and our lives in order to fully address the poverty in our world.

In other words we’re very much like city councils:  We’re not sure what to do, and we’re afraid of what might be required for us to do it. So our response is to do what we can do and hand out food.

PLEASE do not misunderstand me:  This is an excellent first step! The worst response is no response, so KEEP FEEDING THE POOR AND THE HOMELESS WHEREVER YOU CAN! That meets an immediate, physical need. And sometimes, that’s the best we can do in this place and time. (And yes, you should keep fighting in city council for the right to do this).

The problem is that we cannot stop with that. There are also spiritual, mental, and emotional issues that need to be addressed. Our encounters with poverty and homelessness should not leave us feeling good about what we’ve done, but should instead prompt us to consider:  What more can we do?

This is a much more difficult choice, one that requires much more of us than hauling big pans of mac and cheese to the poor side of town. Very few places are prepared to take on that level of commitment the way that Triune Mercy Center and Love Wins and Metanoia have. (BTW, I love the fact that Love Wins has a tab on their site for “Biscuitgate“!).

But maybe it’s time for us to get prepared to do that. Perhaps we’re being called to take on the hardship of making the poor and the homeless welcome within our walls. Augusta Heights, where I serve, is not “rich” in money or resources or power or influence; but it is in the 1% in love and compassion. Maybe it’s time for us to do even more to allow the poor and homeless to experience that.

Throwing open the doors to people that we do not understand would dramatically change us, and most certainly change the nature of the church. I would say that it’s high time we make that change.

No, we might not reach the prettiest or the wealthiest or–dare I say it?–the “sexiest” with this approach. Then again, we might be surprised at how many people want the challenge of helping others more than the comfort of the status quo church.

The problems of homelessness and poverty seem well beyond the scope of most churches. We don’t have the money for mental health counselors or job trainers or internet access computers–which, by the way, you almost have to have in order to apply for a job.

But we’re never going to have those resources if we don’t start the conversation and begin to assess our priorities. We have to take that inevitable look in the mirror to see what we’re willing to try in order to minister not only to “our people”, but to the people that the city council wants to go away.

Some might argue that this is not our task, and that resources seemingly devoted to self-preservation are critical to reaching out to the needs of others. I’m not convinced of this. I’m more convinced to consider my own skepticism and fear, and what I am willing to give up in order to help others who are afraid of the judgment they may face if they enter the doors of that place we call “God’s House”.

Are we ready to truly be changed to welcome them in, and to do what we can to help others, even beyond their daily bread. The overwhelming grace does not compel us or command us to “fix” the problem. But it does compel us and command us to put ourselves aside, in order to try.

I don’t mean to make this out to be a “no-brainer”, easy decision on the part of churches. It is difficult and risky and challenging, and it requires an unbelievably heightened sense of purpose and commitment. But just because it’s hard doesn’t mean it’s the wrong thing to do.

Our greatest act of worship may be giving up what we see as worship so that others may have the chance to raise their voices to God.

What I Will NOT Be Preaching on Sunday

I’m not much of a sleeper, at least not at times when I’m supposed to be sleeping. I stay up too late and hate to get up early.

Oh, I CAN get up early, but I don’t have to like it.

Normally, I do the old fall asleep in the recliner watching the end of a ballgame or The Colbert Report. But Stephen Colbert kept me awake Tuesday night. For hours.

He had a “report” about something called Pulpit Freedom Sunday. I’ll leave you to check out their website or any number of the additional news stories about the event.

(If you don’t care for those links, do a Google search and you’ll find a huge range of perspectives).

Here is a quick overview of the event: A group of pastors–ranging from 538 to over 1500, depending on which article you believe–will preach overtly political messages this Sunday. Some will even endorse specific candidates and political parties. They will record these messages and send them to the IRS.

The goal of this is to force a court fight over a 1954 law that forbids tax-exempt religious institutions and places of worship–since they are, you know, religious–from engaging in partisan politics. Pastors and churches are welcome to engage in political issues, but they are forbidden from making party affiliations and endorsing candidates.

Seems a pretty small price to pay for 250 years of not having to pay taxes on tithes, offerings, and any kind of collection.

Or the tax deductions that all parishioners are legally allowed to take on donations to the church.

Not to mention property taxes that churches do not have to pay. It would be interesting to run the numbers on how much money Greenville County does not collect each year on church-related property.

And the extra tax breaks that pastors receive as ordained ministers. We DO pay taxes, contrary to popular belief, but there are a few extra deductions that ministers can take because we are supposed to be a positive influence in the community.

It’s pretty hard to be a positive force in the community when you alienate half of it by endorsing a specific candidate.

In the American Revolution, our forefathers fought for our freedom in opposition to “Taxation without Representation”. Now, the church apparently wants Representation without the Taxation.

You can’t have it both ways. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. It’s a unholy and appalling sense of entitle that leads some Christians to  believes we should have full rights to political activity without the accountability of investing directly in government.

Beyond that, I wouldn’t endorse a candidate even if it was legal. Most churches can’t agree on what color the carpet should be, what kind of music to sing, or what time to start services. Why would anyone want to muddy the waters by bringing something as unholy as politics into this?

Here is the truth:  The church and pastors have every right to endorse candidates and say whatever they want. They just don’t have the right to do it from behind a tax-exempt wall.

But even if they win this fight–and I fear that they might–the real danger is what could happen to the name of Christ and reputation of the church. Our battles with one another do enough to hurt our witness. Bring politics into the mix, and there is a risk of polarization and alienation on a level that we have never seen.

And that’s frightening.

Even if the law is changed, I will not be preaching politics on Sundays. We have enough trouble trying to…you know…figure out this whole “Follow Jesus” and “Live Like Jesus” stuff.

Call me crazy, but I think that’s a lot more important than whether or not you’re a Democrat or Republican.

One in the Grave, the Other on a Banana Peel – Part 2

Isn’t it amazing how we make things so hard that should really be so simple?

You hear a lot of talk these days about how “messed up” the church is. No doubt, the church is struggling in many ways, and that includes the ever-so-cliched “mega churches” out there.

(Psssst – here’s a secret. They have problems, too. They may not show it, but I know for a fact that they do).

But maybe the problem isn’t just the churches. Maybe it’s us. Maybe it’s our perceptions of what a “good” church is or is supposed to be. Maybe our view of church is more messed up than the churches themselves.

Here’s the first thing we need to understand:  The church as an individual institution has a life cycle. We assume that if a church is declining or dissolves, then it’s the fault of the church. Never mind that many forces beyond the church’s control may have contributed to the decline or dissolution. The people MUST have been unfaithful!

What a crock.

Many churches that have declined or dissolved are faithful, loving, compassionate and even willing to do what God requires of them. But perhaps it was time for something to change, for something new or different to happen. Just because something is painful does not mean that God has abandon us in it.

Keep in mind that the VAST majority of churches in this country are less than 100 members. Just because we don’t see them on television or listen to their podcast does not mean that they are not faithful.

Here’s the second thing we need to understand:  Just because a church was, or is, struggling does not mean that God is ready to put it out to pasture. Case in point is the church that I pastor, Augusta Heights Baptist.

This church was planted on Augusta Road in Greenville, South Carolina in 1950 as a ministry to the families that were affiliated with Donaldson Center Air Force Base. Just as the church was growing, building, and having an impact, the rug was snatched out from under them.

The Air Force base close around 1962. The church had nothing to do with it, and couldn’t do anything about it.

That’s about the year that a lot of people “buried” Augusta Heights. And for the last 50 years, people have had the church with one foot in the grave, the other on a banana peel.

They’re too old. The community has changed to a predominantly African-American, middle class and under community. They’re not willing to change. Their building is too big for the congregation. They don’t have enough money.

There is a laundry list of reasons why the church couldn’t or shouldn’t make it. Isn’t it funny that this describes almost every great success story?

In spite of the fact that people have been trying to toss dirt on Augusta Heights for 50 years, it’s still there. And it’s doing a lot more than just existing on “life support.” Not only is it alive, but it’s starting to kick a little bit as well.

Yes, the problems exist and will not go away anytime soon. But don’t you think that maybe it’s survived for the last 50 years because God still has a PURPOSE for it in the community?

In church “circles,” there is always talk of growth plans and “fix-it” solutions to the church. But you can’t always fix the things that are happening around you. You can’t always stop the train that is coming down the tracks. But you can learn from it and adjust to it.

Is there a better way to do that than learning to follow Jesus?

I’m drawing closer and closer to the conclusion that all the programs and conferences and “answers” that everyone has are just a lot of window-dressing and fluff to make churches what everyone else SAYS that they should be. Perhaps the real solution is found in the words that Jesus asked His disciples:

But what about you? Who do YOU say that I am?

Perhaps we need to spend less time thinking about how to “fix” the church and more time finding out who Jesus is, and whether or not we are willing to say that’s who He is. And perhaps, with the grace that Jesus offers us, that will be more than enough to help us stay healthy and do God’s will where we are.

No matter what everyone else says that we should be.

10 Fascinating “Facts” about Canada

There have been many times that I’ve been glad to see home, thrilled to be in my own bed and see my kids and just be in my own house.

But the most vivid time is the last time. And that was last night.

After 14 hours of travel time both driving and flying, the combined mission team from Augusta Heights Baptist and Inman FBC hit home about 10:30 last night. And yes, it is good to be home!

This does not reflect at all on the kind of trip that we had. It was outstanding, enlightening, and in many ways fascinating. I’ve listed some “facts” about Canada here–and this is a loose use of that word. These “facts” are from my own observations as much as they are from any stat sheet.

Here are a few of the interesting things about Canada, including their particular “brand” of Christianity:

10.  Canada looks a lot like the United States. It’s not. Looks are a little deceiving. The people and the culture are very different in many ways, particularly in regards to the South.

9.  Canada has a bit of an inferiority complex. It shouldn’t. It’s just fine being what it is.

The people of Ottawa seem to feel inferior because they are not as big as Toronto. The people in Quebec seem to feel inferior because they are French. The people in Canada seem to feel inferior because they are not the United States. Some (not all, but some) felt the need to point out the flaws of America in our presence.

There really is no need for this. Canada is a wonderful place in and of itself, as are those individual locations within the country. This should be more than enough to make Canadian citizens proud.

8. Canadians speak French & English; but in Quebec, they speak ONLY French!  As soon as we crossed into Quebec, everything changed to straight French. French Canadians are still hanging on to some bitterness about being “conquered” by the English. Of course, we never hang on to history in the southern United States, do we???

7. Recycling is a mission: Our northern neighbors aren’t recycling out of mere obligation. It is a way of life for them. I felt pretty weak that I throw some paper and cans in a bin and call that recycling.

Canadians recycle everything, everywhere. Our rooms at Algonquin College had recycle bins. Every trash can in the city was accompanied by recycle bins. The city of Ottawa is now recycling food, napkins, etc. and reselling it as compost.

This is one thing that I would very much like to import from the north. Perhaps we could picket Disney, Wal-Mart and Target to put up recycle bins (hey, they’ve been picketed for everything else already…)

6.  Ottawa is about the size of Charlotte, but the people resemble New York City. The cultural diversity around Ottawa was staggering. It is not at all unusual to see varying nationalities and to hear a variety of languages spoken.

5.  The Canadian church has a lot of diversity:  Well, at least the one that we attended did.

It is often said that 11am on Sunday is the most segregated hour in America. That’s certainly not the case at Bromley Road Baptist in Ottawa. We encountered many nationalities with many native languages, all worshipping and engaging in fellowship under the same roof.

Congratulations to Bromley Road and other Christians in Canada who have moved beyond some barriers that still hinder the church in America. (If you disagree, check this out:  http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20120730/NEWS/207300323/Crystal-Springs-pastor-Mississippi-church-storm-after-turning-away-black-couple-s-wedding).

Let’s also give credit where credit is due:  Some churches in America are making a serious effort to move beyond such issues. Check out the blog tomorrow for more on that.

4. Canadian churches are also struggling:  Much like American churches, the Christians in Canada are battling to discover what it means to be “church” in a postmodern world.

3. Canadians take Leviticus 19:33-34 to heart:  It says, “When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”

Matthew House is a Canadian ministry to refugees from other nations. We helped there every day of our trip. Can you believe that the community around Matthew House voted to host a ministry to refugees over a children’s ministry?

And this is an a supposedly “secular” nation.

2. Homelessness is a worldwide problem:  I wished that we had some homeless bags to hand out in Ottawa. The shelters were very close to the tourist areas, and it was obvious that this problem is much bigger than any nationality.

1. There is excellent work being done by CBF Missionaries in Canada.  We spent our week working with Mark and Kim Wyatt, who have been involved in starting Matthew House branches from Toronto to Montreal. Their method of doing missions and engaging people truly fits the nation where they are called to work and the postmodern generations that they are attempting to reach.

We are fortunate to support Cooperative Baptist Fellowship missionaries with this kind of “clout” in Canada–and thanks to them for offering us a great week!

To learn more about the Matthew House mission and Christianity in Canada, check out these books:

-The Above Ground Railroad:  The Story of Matthew House by Joey Clifton

–Foreign to Familiar by Sarah Lanier

Both of these books will soon be available in the church library at Augusta Heights Baptist.

An Interesting Way to Deal with Sin

Get ready. This is going to be a long one.

The ongoing debate over North Carolina’s Amendment 1 has taken a most interesting turn. A pastor in the state, Reverend Charles Worley of Providence Road Baptist Church, has argued that he has a very simple solution to homosexuality.

“Build a great, big, large fence — 150 or 100 mile long — put all the lesbians in there,” Worley suggests. “Do the same thing for the queers and the homosexuals and have that fence electrified so they can’t get out…and you know what, in a few years, they’ll die out…do you know why? They can’t reproduce!”
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/22/11813973-charles-worley-north-carolina-pastor-faces-backlash-outrage-over-call-for-gays-to-be-put-behind-electric-fence?lite

This is not the first time that the Reverend has suggested violence as a way to deal with sin. A 1978 sermon revealed that he felt lynching would be a reasonable response to homosexuality:  http://www.advocate.com/society/religion/2012/05/22/antigay-pastor-charles-worley-spewed-hate-1978.

It would be interesting to hear his take on other uses of lynching in the deep south.

The debate over homosexuality is not the issue here. It is the latest and most vitriolic “trunk” of the giant elephant in the sanctuary. And that elephant is the question: How does the church in the 21st century deal with sin?

Let’s be clear on one point. There is nothing of Christ in the suggestion that Reverend Worley made. No matter what Old Testament scripture he might use to justify his stance, the God of grace that is revealed in Christ does not condone the elimination of sin by killing sinners.

There will be a lot of empty pews on Sunday if the church goes that route. We will all be herded into whatever electric fence fits: Gossips, slanderers, adulterers, fornicators, greedy, liars, materialists, idolaters, or whatever other “sin box” we would have to create.

So…If Reverend Worley is wrong, then how do we respond to him?

Many are planning protests. There is a huge one occurring this Sunday at the Catawba County courthouse. There is an online petition on change.org demanding the pastor’s resignation.

I will participate in none of these.

First off, the man and his church have the right to say/believe/do whatever they want, so long as it does not turn into actual violence. Second, it is not my position to tell another church what they should or should not believe. It is my responsibility to seek Christ in my life and in the life of my church. (If someone says this at Augusta Heights Baptist, I would be more direct!).

Finally, the uproar over this is giving Reverend Worley and his congregation is exactly what they want. He is looking for the attention, and looking to create a “standoff” with the heathens and the infidels—groups that would include anyone who dares to disagree with him, Christian or otherwise.

Something this horrific that is said in opposition to the Gospel of Christ deserves SOME response, doesn’t it?

The problem is that extreme responses to extremism simply produces…well, more extremism. Protests result in responses, which result in more protests, and on and on it goes. At some point, someone has to stop the merry-go-round before we all get dizzy and fall off.

The worst response that Christians can give to this is to say/do nothing.  This deserves a response, and too often Christians sit idly by and say, “Well, not ALL Christians believe that,” without ever doing a thing to prove that they don’t believe such un-Christlike nonsense.

May I suggest a more subdued, but effective, response? We can show love and compassion to others that we deem to be “in sin” because Christ showed that to us. We can respond by making sure that our repulsion and outrage over any sin never rise to such a violent level.

We can respond by making sure that our church or churches never support the idea that killing sinners is an adequate response to sin. Even better, we can actively seek avenues to show grace, love, and compassion to all people.

Through his words, Reverend Worley has pronounced himself judge/jury/executioner for the sinful nature of the world. He is saying that Jesus cannot help certain people, that he cannot save people engaged in certain types of sin. In fact, he is saying that homosexuals are not worth saving and cannot even be saved by the grace of God.

That is a sinful nature that none of us can afford. May God have mercy on us if we ever adopt that theology. Or if God ever decides to let us live in such an unimaginable reality.