This weekend four of us that are the Breaking Bread staff are heading out to San Francisco to check out Glide ministries at Glide Memorial Church. They have a HUGE ministry to the poor in their neighborhood, serve three meals a day and focus mainly on crack addicts. It should prove to be a great, challenging and eye opening time.
As I look around Chicago, it saddens me that more isn't done in more respectful ways to help those out around us who need a little extra something. Many churches do little or nothing, while other organizations help people out as a cover for shoving Jesus down their throats in disrespectful ways. After a good night at Breaking Bread, knowing that we don't do everything perfect, I wish that there were more people who got to share in our family time together.
Not too profound tonight, but want to keep posting.
peace,
1 comment:
Wow, that sounds like a great opportunity to go visit Glide. I definitely want to hear about it when you get back.
One thing that really drew me to our church 3 years ago is the fact that they're working to do what I believe the church SHOULD do. Their focus is all about the community, in one of the most violent, crime-ridden, impoverished neighborhoods in Philly. There's not a program directly aimed at serving the homeless, but there are a lot of ministries that pull people in, sometimes including meals, and also a really active Deacon's Fund. The fund is used for anyone who comes to the church seeking help in any way - regardless of whether or not they're a member. It's not just "free money", either. The pastors, elders, and deacons work to build relationships with the people, and to really work to get them not just through the current crisis, but help equip them and get them in contact with services and organisations that can truly help in whatever ways they need. For the first time in my life, I feel completely comfortable and confident referring people I don't even know to my church for aid... without worrying about shoving Jesus down their throat :)
My only regret is that our church is only so big. I wish every church could be doing things like we are, like LaSalle is, like Glide is. I doubt we'd have the same issues of hunger, poverty, and homelessness... and I bet there'd be a whole lot less stigma, criticism, and fear surrounding people who are in those places. Think about how different the church (and world) would be if every member of every church was directly involved in some sort of ministry serving the poor. Hey, it's a good thing to hope for, right?
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