In Support of Being Christ in Context
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011What we did on Sunday was atypical for most churches. In support of World Aids Day December I we invited Rob Poole of HIV Edmonton for a Q&A. Rob was well informed, well spoken, and wise and I believe both HIV Edmonton and Urban Bridge benefited from this exchange. I am proud of you, Urban Bridge for your willingness to take chances in Bridging Christ and Culture. The following is what I recently shared with some in our denomination.
It is my desire for Christians and the P.A.O.C. in particular (of which Urban Bridge is part), to increasingly be a redemptive part of the fabric of Canadian society. To do so it is essential to go to a people group rather than asking them to come to us. To go with the intent of being Christ in their context and to go with the goal of assisting Christ’s Spirit, The Holy Spirit to permeate and redeem their culture and their lives into the image Christ has of them.
To reach a people outside the church I believe we need to reframe our understanding of “do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2 NLT). Rather than separating ourselves because we disagree, we, like Christ need to accept the lost as they are, weaving ourselves into the fabric of society even though we may have fundamental disagreement over values or lifestyles, thereby allowing the Holy Spirit to redeem from the inside out. Some say this is a slippery slope. It is true, but this is also where the lost have fallen.
When Christ was about 30 he entered another phase of his experience on earth and one of his first public statements is a quote about him from an old Testament prophet.
The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He unrolled it and found the right place. There it is written,
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me.
He has anointed me to tell the good news to poor people.
He has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners.
He has sent me so that the blind will see again.
He wants me to free those who are beaten down.
And he has sent me to announce the year when he will set his people free.”
Then Jesus rolled up the scroll. He gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were staring at him.
He began by saying to them, “Today this passage of Scripture is coming true as you listen.” Luke 4:17-21 New International Reader’s Version
The good news Christ speaks of touches every part of society It is good news for those who are literally blind and those who are spiritually blind. It is good news for those who are poor more than financially but also poor emotionally or physically. The good news is for all of who are beaten down regardless of social standing or acceptance. These words, Christ’s words, continue to inform and form the community of Urban Bridge Church.
Jean Vanier founder of L’arche wrote:
I can imagine with what tenderness
Jesus touches the feet of his disciples,
looks into their eyes,
calls each one by name and says a special word to each one.
When he speaks at the meal, he speaks to them all;
he does not have a personal contact with each one individually.
But as he kneels humbly before each one and washes their feet,
he has a personal contact with each one.
He reveals to each one his love,
which is both comforting and challenging.
He sees in each one a presence of his Father,
whom he loves and serves.
The love of Jesus reveals that we are important,
that we are a presence of God
and are called to stand up and do the work of God:
to love others as God loves them,
to serve others and wash their feet.
Jean Vanier – Drawn into the Mystery of Jesus through the Gospel of John – Novalis – 2004 pages 232 – 233.
We who follow Christ, take Christ’s responsibility as our own.
