“With”
A couple of weeks ago I participated in an ecumenical conversation hosted by the Center for Congregations. Almost 20 church leaders participated, representing a variety of denominations and contexts. The focus of our conversation was the question “Under what conditions do congregations develop community engagement for the flourishing of their community?”
“Community engagement” in this context refers to ministries and programs we traditionally call “outreach,” ministries of service, charity and advocacy.
During the conversation we talked mostly about what we do but not much about why we do it. So, I found myself wondering, “What is our theology of community engagement?” St. Paul’s is not a social service agency created to meet particular needs. We aren’t a political organization advocating for justice and equity. We are a church. Yes, we want to help people in need. Jesus tells us to feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick and visit those in prison (Matthew 25:35-36). And yes, we want to advocate for justice. The Baptismal Covenant asks us “to strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being.”
Yet, our mission is not to help and advocate. The Catechism in the Prayer Book tells us the mission of the church “is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ” (p. 855). So, articulating a theology of community engagement matters. Doing so ensures that what we do is consistent with our mission and identity as the Body of Christ.
During the ecumenical conversation I started jotting down some notes on what a theology of community engagement might be. Over the next few weeks, I’ll share my thoughts with you. But please do not read these as definitive principles. Theological language is never set in stone but is always open to new revelation. It is never the work of one person but always a journey of exploration taken by a community. I’m not trying to speak with final authority. I’m inviting conversation.
So, where to start? How about with the word “with”? Our mission is “to restore all people to unity with God and each other.” The Rev. Dr. Samuel Wells who I mentioned recently in a reflection on understanding the church as an alternative society, focuses much of his theology on the word “with.” Jesus, he says, spent most of this time working with people not working for people. He sought to be with people not to do things for them.
This makes me wonder about the acronym WWJD, “What would Jesus do?” I wonder if a different acronym would be more helpful. How about WWJW? “Who would Jesus be with?” The gospels make clear who this includes. The people on the edges, the excluded, the sick and dying, the sinners and outsiders, and, yes, the faithful religious people of his day. Jesus was with all of them. Doesn’t he call us to start the same way?