Today our class split up, we were scattered throughout Spokane. Some were in affluent parts of town; others were in run down areas. The group I was a part of went to the West central neighborhood. If you know anything about Spokane, you will know that this particular neighborhood is known for its poverty. Don’t get me wrong, there are areas of the west central that has money but I think it is safe to say that you won’t see too many houses with a BMW parked in front. As we walked through the neighborhood I felt like the neighborhood was hopeless, helpless and stagnant. I began to feel sorry for these people and I started to think of how to help.
The first conclusion I came to was to put a church right in the middle of the worst part of the neighborhood and begin meeting needs. Our natural tendency as Christians is to figure out how to fix a problem rather than living in the problem. I noticed that many of the people who are doing some real good in the west central neighborhood are on the outskirts. I think this is absolutely brilliant; churches like the porch and para-church organizations like Youth for Christ have begun to gain the trust and respect of the people within the community while learning to love them and truly live incarnationally.
Once again I have been blown away by the power of Christ when people don’t get in the way. These people have had their eyes opened by the Holy Spirit and will move in the direction he takes them and I know I can learn a lot from their example. I tend to force God into telling me how or what to do immediately but God doesn’t work like that and neither do people. Time to stop, pray, listen, live, learn and begin to move.
Jeremy
Dude, this is awesome, you totally have a missionary heart. Living in the problem is exactly the call of every Christian. Wherever we are planted, the Lord is strategically moving people into our path who need love and encouragement. I often forget that I am a missionary to the people all around me, and Jesus calls me to live outside myself every moment of the day.
“Our natural tendency as Christians is to figure out how to fix a problem rather than living in the problem.” What a great line!
Christ spent time living the “problem” with people for 30 years,gaining people’s trust, before he ever started ministry. It may take time, but there is something to be said about living in the problem before we ever try and “fix it”. Thanks so much!
I love your last paragraph Jeremy! So much more happens when we loosen our grip and let God work!! It’s really crazy and sad that we don’t let it happen more often.
I think often times a church won’t be what fixes the problem. The guy we met and talked to in our area said he was really disenchanted with the church and I got the sense the only way to reach him would just be through personal contact.
Remember how Rob said the neighborhood was looking better than it did five years ago? I think that can be attributed to the work of organizations like the Porch and Youth for Christ, and it’s really great to see that tangible evidence of God’s work in the community.
I agree with what you said about how often we as Christians want to jump immediately into action to fix a problem. I’ve heard it said that we should take the time, instead, to sit for a while in the low places (of pain, sorrow, brokenness) because Grace pools in these low places. I think this is kind of like what you were saying. A lot of times we want a quick answer or quick fix to a problem, but instead of slapping on a premature solution, we need to rest in that place for a while to see where God’s grace is pooling (where he is on the move ahead of us).
Thanks for the reflection, your thoughts ring true with me as well. It’s a good reminder to wait on God. I especially appreciated the learning part, I often forget how much I have to learn.
I am a volunteer at YFC and I must say that I see God doing some pretty awesome things in West Central. Some people might say that this part of the city is hopeless judging by its crime rate and poverty level. The only thing we can do is pray continuously and let God do His thing!
I agree by planting a church in the middle of a neighborhood it wont necessarily fix the problem. By living out mission we can truly help people.
Jeremy, I dig what you are saying man. We do need to slow down and live by the Holy Spirit and figure out how to get ourselves involved in these peoples lives by living amongst them.