Previous Post – Weekend Linkage #2
When we started Little Flowers Community we hoped it would, like the other aspects of our 7 years of ministry here, help build bridges between the world of the urban poor and the suburban/rural church. However, we also knew that in doing so, we were going to set up both sides for the kinds of lessons only learned the difficult way. This Sunday was one such occasion.
After our weekly meal together before our time of worship together, a few of our smokers were in the front yard getting their fix. While there, a native gentleman cycled past, to which Amy (one of the most natural evangelists I know) called out a greetings. In a matter of minutes, she had invited him into the house for a plate of food and, if he wanted, to join our service. Somewhat intoxicated, he wobbled in, introducing himself as “Hector”. While Amy & Sean prepared a plate for him, our service got underway. Near the end of the sermon/study, Hector kept interrupting to share his thoughts on the Scripture. Most of us who were regulars thought little of it, as this is not an atypical experience for us, but we did have a couple of guests from out of town who were not used to these situations. After the service, Hector joined the smokers outside for a drag or two, then promptly gave everyone a group hug, hopped on his bike and rode away.
It was just about that time, standing on the deck waving goodbye to Hector, that heard the shouts from inside. I went in to discover that one of our guests was missing her digital camera, which had been sitting in the living where we had met. I really feel for her, as it was her boyfriends camera and she was not used to having things go missing. She immediately wanted us to get Hector before he left and ask to search his bag, which we said we would not do. No one had seen him take it. I’m not shy to confront people when it is clear someone has stolen something, but this was not that simple. Besides, he was gone.
Thankfully the event ended without too much drama or conflict. It could have become a really messy situation. And while I don’t try to avoid every situation, in this case we wanted Hector’s experience with us to be untainted. Even if he did steal the camera (which is a very likely scenario), it was worth the price of a camera. Now, I know it is easier for me to say that, since I didn’t lose my camera, but keep in mind that I have had many things stolen from me in my years in this community, including my car. Despite what cynics might say, even though we may have been taken advantage of, the impact of Hector was real and we continue to pray the Spirit will work in his heart.
This whole situation brings to mind again why the issues of poverty and affluence are paired principalities facing the church. It highlights the need to careful, intentional and genuinely mutual partnership with Christian communities in the urban core and the suburban/rural neighbourhoods. It is also why we are intentionally careful about how we bring in people from outside of our community into this unique context. We want the diversity, but it has to be introduced, nurtured and developed very carefully.
If you are in a suburban or rural church and want to better connect with the urban poor of your city or region, take the time to get to know the locals. Trust those people who have been doing ministry AND life in the community. Even if it goes against your “better judgment” or sense of efficiency. It might feel pride-wounding. However, if you take that time and be humble, you will begin to truly connect to people in whom you will discover Christ.
Tags: Church Planting, Missional, urban
A few weeks ago we lost our Canon Powershot G10, a sweet, sweet point and shoot camera. It didn’t happen at church, but I’ve learned to never, ever leave anything in your car you can’t part with.
Part of living in the inner city. It is challenging because such events show us where are heart is, is it with His people or with our stuff. I’m not so sure I could handle the same situation with the grace you have.
Hey Leighton,
The unfortunate part of it was that we are all so used to not having valuables around, no one thought to mention it to the guest. A learning moment for us all!
An interesting thing was that only minutes before we had been singing a worship in which we quoted the Scripture, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord”. Easier to sing it than live it, eh?
Peace,
Jamie
this whole story really speaks to me Jamie. i love the pic and your reaction to what must have been a traumatic incident for someone. i come from a not so affluent history but i wasnt poor either, not the sort of poor that i see everyday in our communities right around us.
i was volunteering at St Mathew’s Community Ministries not so long ago when it was discovered that a wallet was missing. in the end it turned out to be a prank but i was thoroughly impressed by the grace that the offended party showed to the prankster, i’m not sure that i could’ve been so graceful. your story here shows that you have a true heart for the poor and that is what the church is supposed to be, good news to the poor.
blessings on your journey.
This kind of thing has been so hard for me. I remember being swindled out of $20 on a highway on Chicago. It still kinda makes me angry.
This may have been why Jesus let the demons go into the pigs and they in turn went off a cliff…it revealed the heart of the community. In the end, that village who was well familiar with the demoniac cared more about their property than a man being free. The recently freed man was one of the only people Jesus told not to follow him…”Go home and tell about the good things God has done for you.” He would be an everyday testimony to the villagers, free people are more important than pigs. And he is still a testimony to us, if Jesus is going to do his work in our communities, things are going to get messy, lost, or destroyed but chains will be broken and people will be free.
Thanks Jamie, great post.
Hey Ian,
It is a learning process, one which we don’t always “pass” so well. I hope that it won’t leave a last and negative impact on our guests. Thanks!
Peace,
Jamie
Hey Christ,
Great illustration from the Gospels! Thanks.
Peace,
Jamie
Jamie, What an amazing story, I felt challenged as I read it to be glad to have the presence of the lost to the extent they could have any of my possessions, just for their presence. I hope one day I might get to visit with Little FLowers, it would be an honour.
You are always welcome, Liam! We aren’t a very polished group, but we are really becoming community. I am blessed to be a part of it.
Peace,
Jamie
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Great story, Jamie. And I really appreciate how you handled the crisis, and your challenging about bridging the gap. Not an easy task. What you guys are doing in downtown Winnipge makes me think of a new ministry called MoveIn, that started in Toronto and is now present in Ottawa. Christians moving into difficult neighborhoods, on purpose, to bless and to be salt and light. Incarnational, missional, life (they don’t like to talk of what they do as “ministry” – this is all part of their day-to-day life).
Thanks Michel,
It can be a real challenge to “move in” and still resist gentrification. Worth the challenge though. I’ll check them out.
Peace,
Jamie