BC Devotion #10 - Ministry and Meeting Needs

In our context of ministry, the task of creating a pathway out of the rough places and the rugged terrain must connect with the circumstances that people face in impoverished communities and the ministries that have proven to be effective in helping people overcome these challenges.

While we must remain grounded in the fundamental emphasis on the message of the gospel - God’s good news of salvation from sin by grace through faith, Scripture also validates our concern for the specific practical circumstances that people face. Jesus emphasized his concern for the poor, the downtrodden, the blind and the captives, those who are hungry, thirsty, sick or naked, lonely or in prison. The prophets expresses God’s concern for the weak and the sick, the injured, the lost, the scattered and the oppressed.

The writings of those who focus on impoverished urban neighborhoods note conditions including poor health care and higher infant mortality, lack of prenatal health, inaccessibility of quality child care, hunger, poor educational resources, high drop-out rate, violence, drug and alcohol abuse, crime, gang culture, high rates of incarceration, lack of jobs or of higher wage jobs, poor housing, negligent landlords, racism, racial and ethnic segregation, broken families and children without parents.

Ministries that churches and Christian organizations have utilized include: Family health center or medical clinic, prenatal care ministry, daycare center, children’s ministry, tutoring and after school programs, recreational programs, youth services cooperative, youth leadership development, study center, Bible school, food distribution, clothing distribution, addiction recovery ministry, homeless shelter, homeless meals, showers and laundry, hospitality house for volunteers, nonprofit housing cooperative, housing rehabilitation, mortgage company for the poor, legal cooperative, job placement program, community owned cooperative or business, and ministries of racial or ethnic reconciliation.

I provide these lists as food for thought, as fuel for creative thinking about ministry. What are the needs in our community? What ministries are available, and what ministries are lacking? And what kind of ministry do you have a passion for?

Sources:
Isaiah 40-41, Ezekiel 34, Luke 4, Matthew 25
David Hilfiker, Urban Injustice, pp. XII, XV, 19
Charles Marsh, Beloved Community, pp. 179, 191, 199
John M. Perkins, Beyond Charity: The Call to Christian Community Development, pp. 35-53