June 10, 2013
Pastorgraphs: “A Messy Job, But Somebody Has to Do It”
A few
friends and colleagues suggested some time ago that I write a book on urban
ministry, detailing “the formula” we are using at Christ Ministry Center so
other urban churches might consider our model as an alternative to closing
their doors.
Asking me
to write anything is like saying “sic um” to a bulldog. And the foundation of
Matthew 25:35 provides a well-ordered outline: One chapter on feeding the poor,
another on clothing the naked, and so on with ministering to the sick,
prisoners, strangers, etc. But I resisted the compulsion to write anything on
this subject until I had a lot more experience. And I’m glad, because I now
know there should be another chapter anyone considering urban ministry must
read. That is the chapter about criticism.
If anyone
thinks doing the work of God in the concrete city is criticism-free, please
refer back to Jesus’ experience. He was criticized at every turn, often from
both sides. If he healed someone, the authorities nitpicked about when and
where he did it, and the others complained that they did not get healed.
And make no
mistake about it, many were not just trying to win an argument with Jesus: they
meant to silence and neutralize him, even if it meant a cross.
Mark
Stowers wrote an article for the Jackson MS Clarion-Ledger this weekend that
asked if Jesus came to Jackson, where would he go? Mark suggested Jesus would
show up at the Gateway Rescue Mission, the sort of place most “decent folk” try
to avoid. It’s an urban ministry where helping the helpless gets down and
dirty, just like Jesus did on the streets of Jerusalem 2000 years ago.
Rex Baker
began volunteering at Gateway 15 years ago. He fell in love with this “messy
ministry”, gave up a promising career in broadcast journalism, and now serves
as executive director of Gateway’s 27 employees and six centers covering three
counties in metro Jackson.
Rex hit the
nail on the head:
“Rescue
mission life is real life played out in real time. We deal with broken people
in all their messiness, and we reap the joy of seeing God work miracles.
Gateway Rescue Mission is a place where fallen people minister a perfect Gospel
to other fallen people.”
“I like to
think that if Jesus physically showed up in Jackson, Mississippi, He’d drop by
Gateway Rescue Mission. Why? Because Jesus had this thing about hanging out
with the wrong crowd. He associated with corrupt tax collectors, loose women,
lepers...even Samaritans. He regularly shot off His mouth at the religious
establishment. So yes, I think Jesus just might show up today at a crack house,
have dinner with a leading drug dealer, or visit a rescue mission.”
“If Jesus
would do this, what should we do if we claim to be like Him? I’m far from perfect
and fail daily in my feeble attempts to be like Christ. But I can read, and
therefore know that Jesus says ‘as much as you’ve done it unto the least of
these brothers of Mine, you’ve done it unto Me.’"
“That’s what
we do at Gateway Rescue Mission. We feed hungry people, shelter the homeless,
and work to restore the broken and addicted through the love of Christ. It’s
our calling as an organization. It’s why we exist. We have staff who labor
outside the spotlight because it’s their calling in life.”
So for
anyone considering urban ministry, be forewarned: It takes some thick skin to
do this kind of ministry. You will receive a lot more criticism than praise.
And not everyone has your best intentions in mind. Just ask Mother Teresa or
anyone else (like Rex) who deal with broken people in all their messiness and
brokenness. The neighbors will not appreciate it, the critics will test your
soul. Be prepared, and remember what God told Moses about the grumblers and gripers:
“Who are we in all this? You haven’t been complaining to us—you’ve been
complaining to God!” (Exodus 16:8)
I would
like to think if Jesus came to San Diego, he would hang out at Christ Ministry
Center.
Bless you
all, Bill Jenkins
From the
Quote Garden:
“Blessed are ye, when men shall
revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you
falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your
reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
~ Matthew 5:11-12 ~
(King James Version)
Christ United Methodist Ministry
Center
“Christ
in the Heart of San Diego”
3295
Meade Avenue - San Diego, CA 92116 - (619) 284-9205
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