Ministry In The World - The Reason For Being

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



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