After this week I can mark another NZ city off the list of places to visit during my stay here. This week we had the opportunity, thanks to the Army, of travelling to Christchurch for a few days. Officially we were there for "Unleashing", the launch of the strategy for NZ.
We were challenged to be focused on three mission intentions: Caring for People, Transforming Lives, and Reforming Society.
As a person committed to the Transformation of lives through the principles of Community Development signing up to that kind of agenda is not hard to do. It's what I believe in, both in the spiritual and the physical. But I wonder if we are really serious about it sometimes.
At the moment I'm part of an amazing church (corps) that lets us experiment with alternatives. For example this weekend we'll be worshipping in a park with over 15,000 other people. We're going to set up a stall in the Auckland International Cultural Festival and let people know who and whose we are. Our church is going to be visible in the community and pray for opportunities to talk with people about God and Faith - and hand out free chocolate too!
In my opinion, that's the way you show people you care enough, that's how we're going to transform lives and reform society. You can't do it from a fortress filled with soldiers of varying degrees of commitment to the cause - you have to do it in the field of conflict. It's time to recognise that the fortress really only exists to equip and refresh the soldiers (an essential work, but not the ultimate end) for the work of relating to, and engaging with those that would probably never think of gracing the halls of our buildings.
The church has to go where 'they' belong and meet 'them' where they're at. To expect that they will just show up in our churches on their own, (although some still do, thanks to God's Spirit) is to live in denial. The church must be engaged in and with the community if it wants to transform lives - because transformation only happens from a position of trust and respect.
