..."Evangelism is mission but mission is not merely evangelism" (Moltmann 1977)...."Mission is not a programme of the church but rather an attribute of God" (Bosch 1991).... "we are called to display what it means to be a colony of heaven mission embodies the total impact of the church on the world it's involvement with the social, political and moral life of the community and nation where it is placed" (Green 1990).... "The Church exists primarily for the sake of mission in the world. Mission is therefore the reason why the Church exists (Needham 1987).... "Mission comes first from the heart of God and we are caught up in it rather than initiating it (Bosch 1991)..."we seek to renew the face of the earth, all things and all peoples - that's mission" Archbishop Rowan Williams

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Going up stream...

There was a flavour of Jubilee as momentum and strength was drawn from a congregation of diversity committed to social, economic and environmental justice; committed to going upstream to exert pressure together for 'the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow'

There's a well worn story with a variety of versions that takes place in a village on a river bank, this is one:
One summer in the village, the people in the town gathered for a picnic. As they leisurely shared food and conversation, someone noticed a baby in the river, struggling and crying. The baby was going to drown! Someone rushed to save the baby. Then, they noticed another screaming baby in the river, and they pulled that baby out. Soon, more babies were seen drowning in the river, and the towns people were pulling them out as fast as they could. It took great effort, and they began to organize their activities in order to save the babies as they came down the river. As everyone else was busy in the rescue efforts to save the babies, two of the townspeople started to run away along the shore of the river.

"Where are you going?" shouted one of the rescuers. "We need you here to help us save these babies!"

"We are going upstream to stop whoever is throwing them in!"
Social justice means going upstream to stop whoever is throwing babies in the river.

It was interesting last week to be involved and to see the power of grassroots local politics rearing up in solidarity to exert pressure on politics through the power of accountability. I was at the AGM of London Citizens so was Mayor Boris Johnson having to fog his way through his election promises, there was no room to hide in London's Barbican Centre in front of 2000 people. With his promises of 15 months projected on the cinemaesque screen.

Bankers, lawyers and most significantly politicians were made to promise action and involvement on Living Wage, Responsible lending, Cap on interest rates together with Financial literacy and investment into local mutual banking. No fudging the issue 'will you promise to work with us?' No walking away from the podium without a handshake. Everything carefully minuted. All discreetly and cleverly orchestrated by Dr Luke Bretherton.This was kingdom stuff tackling the inequity of financial domination over the powerless within economic crisis. There was a flavour of Jubilee as momentum and strength was drawn from a congregation of diversity committed to social, economic and environmental justice; committed to going upstream to exert pressure together for 'the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow'.

Labels: Mission, Social Justice

posted by Gordon at 9:39 PM

1 Comments:

Blogger Johnny said...

Good to be able to share the evening with you, Gordon...even as you regressed to YP Band days on the back row! ;-)

3:44 PM  

Post a Comment

Links to this post:

  <$BlogBacklinkTitle$>  
<$BlogBacklinkSnippet$>
posted by <$BlogBacklinkAuthor$> @ <$BlogBacklinkDateTime$>

Create a Link

<< Home

About Me

My Photo
Name: Gordon
Location: United Kingdom

URBANarmy – are the thoughts and theological reflections of an insignificant Salvation Army officer trying to show true hope, grace, love and freedom in a significant way. URBANarmy -is a story of Missio Dei driving an all-encompassing grace-centred mission. URBANarmy – is an open compilation of lessons learned from day to day ministry, dialogue and reading. URBANarmy – is Gordon who finds total fulfillment in demonstrating the Kingdom of God. URBANarmy – is now the fusion and exploration of 'mission' and 'spiritual formation' while trying to inspire a new generation of Salvation Army Officers as to their role in God's plan for His creation.

View my complete profile

  • my email
  • Previous Posts

    • THE WORLD NEEDS PATIENT PEOPLE...!"
    • Debbie Green...
    • Lost Lyrics - The world overcoming by limitless gr...
    • Faith Development c/o Alan Jamieson... [6]
    • Lost Themes of Mission - New Creation...
    • praxis of doing what is right...
    • tenerife...!
    • Officers' Councils 2009...
    • Message from Malawi...
    • Lost Lyrics - O for a deeper greater perfect fai...
      View Technorati Cloud
    • Books 2004
    • Books 2005
    • Books 2006
    • Books 2007
    • Books 2008
    • Books 2009
    • Books 2010
    • Books 2011
    • Books 2012
    Books 2013
      Wright, N. T. (2012). How God became king: the forgotten story of the Gospels. New York: HarperOne.
    • Becket, W. sr (2007) Sister Wendy on Prayer.
    • Ashbrook, R.T (2009) Mansions of the Heart: developing the seven stages of spiritual growth.jossey-bass
    • Rohr, R. (2011) falling upward: a spirituality for the two halves of life.
    • Anderson, K.R and Reese, R.D (1999) Spiritual Mentoring: a guide for seeking and giving direction. IVP
    • Sweet, L. I. (2012). I am a follower: the way, truth, and life of following Jesus. Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson.

    Powered by Blogger

    ALLELON - companions in the Gospel

    Subscribe with Bloglines Technorati Blog Finder
    Sally Bloggers
    Sally Bloggers
    Previous site : Random : Next site : List sites
    Powered by PHP-Ring
    Psychology News


    "We know that every effort to better society, especially when injustice and sin are so ingrained, is an effort that God blesses, that God wants, and that God demands of us" Oscar Romero.

    Site Meter hits.