Listening to Suresh and seeing India...has led me to thinking about a few things:
1) Building the Kingdom, not churches.
Suresh is all about building the kingdom of God. In Luke, Jesus starts his work by saying that the kingdom of God is at hand...meaning that it is here. Here on earth, the poor are to be cared for, the orphans to be parented, the hungry to be fed, injustice to be ended, and God to be glorified. The kingdom, although perfect in heavan, is to be built here on earth, as well.
I listen to Suresh talking about kindgom building. And I have seen how Harvest India is building the kindgom. Where there is need, they go. And always in the name of God.
They will help any denomination. Pentecostal, apostolic, assemblies of God, you name it. Today we got to see a water well given to a Muslim community, in Jesus Christ's name, with no strings attached.
Which brings me to the second thing I wanted to mention...
2) The Western/Eastern church
The Western church appears a little stuck, to me. Our efforts at community transformation seem hamstringed- or at least slowed-down. Demoninations fight instead of partnering to build the kingdom. And all the permits to open social services slows-down quick response (see "The Wire"- Season 3).
On the other hand, we have lotsa state social services. There is somewhere for an unemployed, hungry person to go. That is not the case here in India. BUT...our services are...partial. Constrained by budgets. Whereas here, the service is based in love, not government regulations. So a person in need is cared for in a more complete, helpful manner.
I think government/institutionalized social services might also result in American Christians turning to fighting systemic injustices (read, me). While dealing with the system is necessary (as Amos points out). Kingdom is necessarily relational, not policy -based. So we need to find a balance. I see the Indian kingdom so strong in social service, and the American chruch strong in systemic issues. We need each other.
Another matter of needing each other: money. The Western church is stock-piling resources! The kingdom of God is international. Even more accurately, without borders. So much money goes so far here! 400 people were fed this morning for $100. For real. I think our consumerism is weakening the church, worldwide.
The Western and Eastern churches need each other. Desperately.
And now for some pictures:
2 comments:
i like the saris and tennis shoes guys!! i think when you guys do your india report you should all wear the saris that day EVEN the guys!!! but ya know, whatever. nice job on the ambulance. booo Suresh for taking advantage of the siren. Acutally i'm just jealous cause i would've loved to do it. Come back safe guys and don't get blown up.
The responses of residents in India to "an unemployed, hungry person" reflects better the existence of love -true love- apart from politics, governments, economics, religion, and other institutions. We can get caught up in the institution or system and lose sight of the people to be loved and from whom we receive love.
Vanessa, you have good insights.
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