Settle in with some popcorn as Michael Frost talks about what the missional church is.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
“The poor need a friend who will eat and drink with them.” Chester & Timmis
What Missional Looks Like
When the Rev. Ron Robinson was a little boy, he went by the name Ronnie and he attended this church with his Mama and Daddy and numerous relatives who all lived in a bustling community named Turley. Then people moved away. And this church was effectively abandoned. One of the ruins of the empire.
Now Ronnie is all grown up and he has a great vision. To gain this church for the community of Turley, to clean out all the mold and fix the rot. Not to restore it to its former incarnation but to make it something even better. As you stand out in the 106 degree heat and humidity of Turley in August, there seems to be a cool breeze as he explains how this part of the church will be a community center, and this part will be for communal meals, and over here we’ll have worship, and over there, we’ll …
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Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.
– Howard Zinn
If we want a beloved community, we must stand for justice, have recognition for difference without attaching difference to privilege. – bell hooks
“The opposite of poverty is not property but the opposite of both poverty and property is community.” – Jorgen Moltmann via Rev. Ron Robinson
Neo Sent Me
I gladly accept the honor of participation. May God make me worthy.
Welcome, RevMoz. You come highly recommended by two of the Brethren.
“There’s so much good that we can do to help … there’s so many people who just need somebody to listen to their story and listen to their pain and listen to their dreams…And there’s so many people who have really basic needs, like food and clothing and shelter and medicine and we have the resources to help them….how we love others is how we love God.”
(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)
At the risk of getting specific prematurely, can I put in a plug for working with ex-offenders (some prefer the term “returning citizens”)? Folks who are getting out of long-term prison stays exist in every community and they are a seriously underserved population. Most cities/states have an “office of ex-offender affairs” or some such and can put you in touch with an organization that is happy to have volunteers. Also, my experience of homeless shelters is that they are always happy to have people cook and some people think of cooking and serving food as the big ways they can serve. Those are good things to do but if cooking isn’t your thing, lots of shelters are looking for folks to do simple job skills training or computer lessons. Most UUs are pretty professionally successful and probably have a lot to give in these areas. Sitting down with somebody and having them dictate their experience to you while you design them a resume takes an hour, but it can seriously change a life. If either of these areas interest anyone in DC, they can contact me and I will put them in touch with the appropriate people, but similar opportunities must exist in every city.
Great stuff here. We’re big fans of “getting specific.”
UUs like to say “Deeds not creeds.” Can we prove it? Here’s some great ways. Thank you, Chalice Chick.
Red Pill Brethren 