On Tuesday for class our group walked around part of the South Hill, near Manito Park and St. John’s Cathedral. So many other groups were experiencing the impoverished neighborhoods of Spokane—West Central, Browne’s, East Central, etc.—and here we were in the upper middle-class realm. The houses were old, but well-off. The neighborhood was safe and clean. They had the beautiful and infamous park, the ornate church, and trendy new commercial areas. I started wondering why Rob sent us here instead of someplace like Hillyard. Then we walked through St. John’s Cathedral. I wasn’t even sure I was in Spokane anymore—it felt more like the old Catholic churches I’d seen in Mexico, or in pictures of Europe. We had a chance to talk to the receptionist and one of the priests who explained that it was a very congregational church, where many programs were put on for its members, but not much was done outside the church. We also had an insight from the server at a local café who said he attended the church every now and then, but not devotedly. Other churches were more slightly more difficult to find, though some did exist.
I started thinking: there are wonderful ministries working in the lower-end neighborhoods right now. They’re doing what they can to meet many different needs in those communities. Obviously, there is always need for more help, but various churches and organizations have bravely taken initiative and followed the missional calling of Jesus. Yet usually such small groups of people have limited resources, and we were standing in the midst of wealth. What would it look like to seek out, empower, and equip those on the South Hill, who have much to give, to work with those ministries to the impoverished, who have much need? Anyone who could do that may have just as fulfilling (and challenging) a ministry as the others.
Breanne
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The church I go to back home in Seattle is extremely wealthy. Pretty much all the money that is “tithed” by the congregation is used on themselves, programs, new buildings, etc. Very few, if any, participate in any sort of missional or incarnational way. Some money is given to local mission groups, but not much. I don’t think Jesus was joking around when he said it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for rich people to enter the KOG.
The Christian faith is one lived in complete submission and reliance on God. Where as the American dream compels and drives people to become independent and self-reliant and sustainable. To me, there is a huge disconnect between what the Gospel compels people to do, and what the American dream does.
One rather wealthy church on the South Hill has their own food collection ministry, that seems pretty successful. Although I haven’t witnessed any other missional activity from that church, it’s still exciting seeing something happening.
Here is a great resource from one of my best friends from college – http://www.amazon.com/Linking-Arms-Lives-Urban-Suburban-Partnerships/dp/080107083X
Difficult, yes, but not impossible. I know several middle/upper class churches that have partnered with “sister” churches in impoverished neighborhoods, coming along them and not just providing for the material needs of the congregants and their communities, but also going through life with them. These partnerships do exist and are a beautiful testament of the body of Christ working together.
I liked this post. I find that it is hard to have churches like these mobilize and help out other churches.
I think that mobilizing the middle and upper classes is a huge task for the church in the west. It is really about breaking through the consumeristic culture that surrounds all of us. In order to provide for their brothers and sisters in need, those with money have to learn and truly believe that God will provide for them. If God is going to give me everything that I need, then I can freely give away my money. When this mobilization of the church happens, it will be an exciting time as the body of Christ truly treats each other like family.
You bring up a really interesting point, Breanne. Do you think it would be easier or harder to reach out to the wealthy?
I think you are definitely on to something here, Breanne. Our missionality can and should extend to any context, not just those with the most apparent needs.
The wealthy need to be set free by Christ too. Perhaps from different things sometimes…like possessions, self-importance, isolation, or an obsession with productivity…for some examples. Having a heart that is able to deal with these things and not be overcome by them is just as much as mark of the Kingdom of God. A heart that is circumcised in these ways is also free TO do or be certain ways, like stepping out into a new missional trajectories as you mention here.