It's another beautiful day in Costa Rica. Dr. Tink and Dr. White started our day off by debriefing our experiences from the past two days. Dr. Tink noted that heresy is a truth exagerrated that ignores the balance of the rest of truth. Orthodoxy is designed primarily by heresy, so perhaps heresy presents an opportunity even while presenting a great danger. He believes God can convert cults, so we should study these movements to see if we can find leverage. TV evangelists are influential because they address the issues of moral, economic, and charismatic empowerment that needy people are looking for in their lives. The heresy is that the Holy Spirit does empower, but he also cleanses. Empowerment without cleansing is legalism, and it is deceptive or even demonic. It does nothing for you because cleaning and empowerment need to be married. Also, sustainable empowerment and life change are not ordinarily instantaneous because a process of discipleship is ordinarily needed.
Dr. Tink then described an analogy of an urban jungle. Similar to natural jungles, urban jungles are very different places depending on whether it is night or day. A jungle canopy has many different layers, ranging from the powerful animals at the top to the vermin and insects at the bottom. Similarly, urban jungles are multilayered with affluent people, poor people, and many other kinds of people in between. Transformational urban leaders are able to connect with all layers of people in the urban jungle. We cannot focus on the poor and turn our backs on the affluent when seeking to transform communities. Nehemiah is an example of a leader who leveraged the complexities of the urban jungle to achieve the transformation of a city.
This week I have been experienced the collapse of discreet boundaries between Catholics and Protestants, poor and wealthy, male and female, church and parachurch, academics and praxis, history and hope, action and reflection, and private spirituality and public pain. Transformational leaders learn to embrace joy in the midst of suffering. Urban ministry is costly, but suffering is the gateway to joy. We should tie our suffering to the suffering of Christ. Most church leaders engage in solutions without first seeking to understand the people or context of the problem. America's motto is "Don't just sit there, do something!" In the case of urban ministry, our motto ought to be "Don't just do something, sit there!" There are lessons to be learned when we put ourselves in proximity to suffering that cannot be learned otherwise.
I need to influence the influencers in Pittsburgh with this message of redemptive suffering. Working with the poor is great, but businesses create jobs and politicians create policy. I need to make sure I influence the influencers when implementing a vision as well. Both Homewood and Wexford are in need of transformation, as are both LAMP mentors and mentees. Seeking first to understand before acting is a great place to start in personal and social transformation.
4 comments:
"Suffering is the gateway to joy." I re-read this quote multiple times Bryan because most people just don't see life through these lenses. It seemed that God uses those who suffer the most to make the biggest impact, both in Biblical times and present circumstances. Jesus was crucified, Paul had a thorn, and I think almost all of the 12 disciples were brutally killed for their faith. If we do not suffer we cannot experience the grace of God and see for ourselves the power of the Holy Spirit, who brings Joy!
Wow! That's great insight on suffering, Jason. You really have an incredible perspective with everything you've been through, and your response to suffering has really inspired me. Thank you for that! And thank you for the comment!
Bryan
Well, my young friend, it sounds like you have had an 'Eureka!' moment. I love it when God does that!!!
I know you've heard me speak about the benefits of suffering many times, but it sounds like it has taken hold of you and really started to transform your thinking. That's wonderful!!
You see, the key to external ministry is not necessarily to relieve suffering; it's to show people God in the midst of their suffering. Of course, that doesn't mean we let people go hungry when we have the means to feed them. But we must always be cognizant that if we serve a Sovereign God who loves us and always has our best interests at heart, then we must also understand that the suffering that God allows has divine purpose; if we always rush in and try to short cut suffering, we may very well be working at cross purposes with God.
Does that make sense?
John V
Understanding the benefits of suffering is something that I'm finally starting to understand. And as always, your perspective on the topic is awesome. I hope you continue to write out your thoughts on the subject (based on the article you wrote a couple years ago).
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