Authentic Christianity

I think this may have been the theme of my time at the National Missionary Convention this past week. Like Megan said, we drove up to Cincinnati with a lot of hope for an enlightening experience and came back honestly with a lot more. The trip went well, no major mishaps, an amazing group of young adults who bonded and shared in a very real and inviting nature, and a united fire to learn as much as we could from the convention and from each other. The convention was amazing. I went two years ago and could not have said the same thing. This time around I had a purpose though, a focused mind looking for where God was working and what role he was establishing for me in it all. I didn't come with a desire for the big picture, just the next step and I rejoiced when He gave me not only the next step, but a glimpse of the big picture as well.

We are doing well. Despite the confusion, mayhem, and often humiliating feeling of weakness, Megan and I are where we are supposed to be doing what God has called us to do. Can we do more? Did we learn how better to serve our neighbors? Yes! But we also learned that we are doing well. We have had a hard time understanding what exactly our role is in the neighborhood. With our financial constraints, lack of experience, and generally trial and error learning method, it has been hard to figure out what we can actually do in our neighborhood to really change anything. And that is what we want isn't it? Change? I think it is, but not necessarily the way we thought we needed to see it. It is easy to see the physical oppression of our neighborhood. Broken down housing full of roaches, leaky pipes, and bad heating systems, kids with little to eat, ratty clothing, and perpetually messy hygiene, and a community of people doing everything they can to survive, but at the same time not relying on each other at all to get there. We see the physical decay of our neighborhood, but what we also see is the spiritual side. Families are torn apart because they strive so desperately to meet material needs of survival that they never take time to love each other. Adults have been beaten down by the system so many times that they do not know how to get up. Addictions to everything from alcohol to drugs to sex to even television distract them from life and from God. God is crying out to our neighborhood and there is so much crammed into the peoples' lives that they cannot hear His voice. The urban neighborhood is so often times a concise picture of what God did not want for His people. This is why it is so important that people be there. Jesus would be here I am sure of it. So how do we change a neighborhood the way Jesus would have? He would not have come in blazing in glory shouting "I am here to save you all". He didn't then, He wouldn't now. One of the things we learned over and over again from the urban missionaries in Cincinnati is that those living in the inner city are looking for authentic people. They can see right through our cheery outreach programs that shuttle people through like a drive thru restaurant. Will they take the help? Of course, they are after all trying to survive and any help no matter how disingenuous is still help. So often we want to help, but not when it gets messy, not when it means actually touching people, or going into their homes. Therefore, what often needs to happen is slowing down and looking at the real needs. Anyone can feed the poor, clothe them, and shelter them; Christians, Muslims, Mormons, or Atheists. But only Christians, followers of Christ, can take what they have learned of Christ from the Word and their growth in Him and teach that to their neighbors. Does this mean we do not feed, clothe and shelter the poor? No, not at all because that is what Christ would have done, but it is important to remember what it is we as followers of Christ have to offer that others do not. We know how to love like Christ. We know how to take care of people like Christ. We can love in a genuine, unfailing manner that only Christ has shown us. We can care for people by touching them, working alongside them, suffering with them in only the way Christ was able to do. Will we stumble and screw up royally? Of course because we are not Christ, but if our goal as an individual should be to be like Christ, then shouldn't our goal in our ministry be to serve like Christ would? This means being where the people He wants to help are. Not everyone is called to live in the inner city, but everyone is called to serve where God is trying to move. I know without a doubt that God wants to redeem His people in the city and all He needs are His followers to be there. We as His followers are learning and growing daily in Him and how cool would it be for us to live along side those who do not know Christ and be real in our struggles and real in our growth? I think this would be the best opportunity to see real change happen in the world. When we are all gathered together in our suburban communities, college dorms, or ritzy apartment complexes our world becomes what is around us and we begin to reflect the cares of that world. The thing I love most about being in our neighborhood is you cannot escape the reality of how so many people are living and suffering. It is not just that street you speed up on to cut across town, it is my home and when my welfare becomes tied to its welfare not only does the little but growing bit of Christ in me come out, but all of the talents He has equipped me with to not only share His love, but take care of the physical needs as well.

These neighborhoods need change, but I really believe that will come in time once the focus shifts from us trying to help them, to us living alongside them, whether you physically live in a neighborhood or not. We must be real people to our neighbors. This first comes in being real with Christ and real with the body. We all have issues, problems, and worries; let us bear those together in Christ and in front of the world. I want people to see Christians for the real people they are with all their flaws, but also with the amazing hope we all have in an ever-loving God who showed the ultimate act of grace through His Son, Jesus, on the cross. That is what I believe authentic Christianity encompasses and I believe from my own personal testimony that this is the best way to see the world change for Christ.