High profile musicians often get labelled as superficial, self promoters. Bob Smietana puts a dent in that stereotype in his interview with Derek Webb, a Nashville singer songwriter who also happens to be a Christian. Webb is drawing attention with his provocative new Web site.
That sounds less offensive when you realize that Webb had dedicated himself to building latrines in Africa. With 7,000 or 8,000 people a day dying in Africa from a lack of clean drinking water, Webb feels it is a sin that churches are not more involved. He says, “If you don’t follow Jesus to places like Africa, India and Asia, you might want to check whether or not, it is Jesus that you are following.”
With all the challenges facing mainline churches these days, it is tempting to see our social justice ministry here and abroad, as “extras” rather than “essentials”, as “wants” rather than “needs.”
I think the musician has got it right. A compassionate ministry in the world is the church’s reason for being. Let’s see where Jesus leads us.
Peter
You may also submit your comments to the assistant webmaster, assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca and I will ensure they are posted
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Coffee + Conversation + Faith = Action
Following the typical worship service, there is this rush up the stairs to coffee and conversation. This morning I saw newcomers being welcomed, committee work being updated, friends reconnecting, intergenerational conversations, personal health news being shared, actors from this morning’s drama being congratulated.
This is one of the most significant gathering places in our life as a community of faith and it meets a wide variety of needs.
It also is a time for theological reflection. This happens quite informally. We may not give it that designation, but that’s what it is - a reflection on the deeper parts of our lives.
She says, “That service reminded me of the time my children acted in a Palm Sunday play years ago..” and you get to hear a meaningful memory in her life.
Or he says, “Thank you for praying for that situation this morning. I have been involved in that issue for years...” and you get to hear about a what led to his involvement in a group working for change in the world.
This morning, coffee time was once again, priceless. Somebody told me, and I loosely quote, “While that service was going on, all I could think of was the situation in Afghanistan where husbands and the law that will allow husbands to legally rape their wives.... and the scene I saw of Taliban kicking women on the streets with impunity...”
A distressing but relevant reflection on the this morning’s faith story. This conversation moved from insight to action. “Can we do something about this?” And off she went with an idea on how we might respond as a church. This is one reason I often get inspired over Sunday morning coffee.
Peter
You may also send your comments to the assistant webmaster and I will make sure they are posted.
assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca
This is one of the most significant gathering places in our life as a community of faith and it meets a wide variety of needs.
It also is a time for theological reflection. This happens quite informally. We may not give it that designation, but that’s what it is - a reflection on the deeper parts of our lives.
She says, “That service reminded me of the time my children acted in a Palm Sunday play years ago..” and you get to hear a meaningful memory in her life.
Or he says, “Thank you for praying for that situation this morning. I have been involved in that issue for years...” and you get to hear about a what led to his involvement in a group working for change in the world.
This morning, coffee time was once again, priceless. Somebody told me, and I loosely quote, “While that service was going on, all I could think of was the situation in Afghanistan where husbands and the law that will allow husbands to legally rape their wives.... and the scene I saw of Taliban kicking women on the streets with impunity...”
A distressing but relevant reflection on the this morning’s faith story. This conversation moved from insight to action. “Can we do something about this?” And off she went with an idea on how we might respond as a church. This is one reason I often get inspired over Sunday morning coffee.
Peter
You may also send your comments to the assistant webmaster and I will make sure they are posted.
assistant.webmaster@emmanuelunited.ca
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