Community Development

You are the salt of the earth
You are the light of the world
Did you know that the “You” in both of these phrases is plural?
Jesus is not talking to an individual and saying you are the light of the world or that you as an individual are the salt of the earth.
He is talking to his disciples and he is saying you collectively are the light of the world, you as a group are the salt of the earth.
It is we as the community of the spirit that are the salt of the earth the light of the world.
Salt to be effective must come in contact with that which is seeks to
Flavour or
Preserve
Or transform/enhance
Light to be effective needs to be put in a place where it can shine
So long as the light is not hidden under the bed or in a basket – then it can’t help itself its illuminating rays will be broadcast for all in the vicinity to see.
I’ve been involved in the last few weeks in a new enterprise called the NEV community Development project. This project seeks to find out all the good things that are going on in the valley, to identify the resources, including people, groups, service, and facilities that are currently contributing to the wellbeing of families and children in particular and see if they might be enhanced for better social outcomes.
Already a number of things have been uncovered, some treasures within the valley have come to light. People are coming out of the woodwork, new connections are being made new synergistic partnerships are coming together.
For example I’m hopeful that we might be able to bring some social service providers and our play groups together in a new way that will help young parents out.
I mention this because there are some good things happening in our community and we can play a part in making them better.
There’s two spins offs for us firstly we help to shape a better society.
Our saltiness helps to bring flavour and preservation to social structures.
Our light helps illuminate institutional evil and shines a light on ways ahead.
The second benefit for us is that as we use our salt and light to enhance the community around us, we also let other people see into our community. It’s a two way process.
Imagine coming across a house on a cold stormy night. Perhaps your car is broken down and you need to use a phone. The light from the house shine brightly helping you to see the path in front of you. You are drawn to the light and as you get close you can see in through the kitchen window the friendly face of a stranger doing the dishes and talking with another person.
The light that shines out of the house has helped you on your path, lead you to a safe place and given you a view to see that it is safe to approach and go inside if you are invited.
As we as a church community get involved in community ministries - we let our light shine before others and they begin to see.
They see the good work we do and God gets the credit.
They see the evil that we expose and begin to combat it as well
They see the heart that motivates our outreach they see who we are and are not afraid to come in and join us.
Salt preserves and enhances flavour together we are able to enhance the life of the community around us. And from the rich resources of our faith we enhance in a particular we. Helping others to live life to the fullest physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
The ancient prophets often expressed a vision for the way the world could be if God’s people did as they believed and enhanced the world around them. Perhaps the greatest collection of such visionary portrayal of the ideal society comes from the book of Isaiah.
Isaiah 65:17-24
Isaiah envisages a new creation a new heaven and earth a completely renewed society so radically different from his current experience as to be impossible except that God brings it about.
17-19This new society is one of great joy and fulfilment.
20 Infant mortality will be reduced to zero, all people will live to a ripe old age – the health needs of all are paramount in this new community.
21 Good housing is provided for all
22 Economic justice is guaranteed there shall be no exploitation - workers will be rewarded for their efforts
23 -25 It shall be a time of prosperity, security and peace.
Other similar visions of a new humanity a new social order are scattered throughout the Hebrew Bible Isaiah 58 The fast that God requires is to loose the chains of the oppressed Isaiah 61 Good news to the poor release to the captives. Amos 9 promise a time to come when David’s kingdom will be restored and his people once again live in prosperity and peace. Micah envisages a day when swords will be beaten in plowshares and spears made into pruning hooks, when nation shall not lift up sword against nation and neither shall they learn war anymore – they shall sit under their own vines and their own fig trees and no one shall make them afraid.
These words are more than just great imaginative poetic verse.
They capture the heart and soul of people in tune with the divine, they express the very hope of God for all people.
A hope that has inspired many wonderful social movements, inspired church communities to get off their pews and into the streets. To turn he love of God toward neighbour.
It was this vision which so put fire in the belly of Jesus. To see people reaching out to one another in love and forgiveness and healing - bringing justice and compassion and mercy. The gospels overflow with stories of Jesus reaching out to others and affecting dramatic change.
Take the story of Zaccheeus as an example.
Luke 19:1-10
Jesus is travelling with his friends through Jericho. His community is one that is constantly on the move.
A crowd gathers as is often the case with Jesus - the crowd is drawn to the light of the world. The crowd approaches this company of strangers and seek to see for themselves.
Zacchaeus is so keen to see what is going on that he climbs a tree for a better look. People want to have a look before making up their own mind. Retailers know this and will have big window displays to show of their merchandise and bright showrooms to draw people in.
This company of Jesus and his friends was attractive, their reputation as miracle workers of people of justice, hope and compassion went before them and people wanted to look in.
Now Zaccheaus was a man who would not have been welcome in many social settings. He may have wanted to look in on the local synagogue but he would not have been welcome. He was isolated and cut off because of his occupation as a tax collector a collaborator with the imperial roman army and one who contributed to the oppression of the Palestinian Jews.
Zaccheaus looks in on Jesus perhaps not expecting much maybe just a glimpse of goodness to sustain him in his barren existence.
Zaccheaus instead gets the surprise of his life when Jesus calls out to him and declares that he is going to have dinner with him tonight at his place.
In another time and at another place Jesus feeds thousands of people, here in this place he knows that Zaccheaus need is not of food but of company and of acceptance and embrace. Zaccheaus needs to be needed, he needs to know he is capable of goodness and may contribute to the well being of others.
And so Jesus sups with Zac. And Zac declares his commitment to live the Jesus way, giving generously to the poor, amending wrongdoing and living honestly.
What can we draw from this story for our life together?
Jesus and his community are on the move looking for opportunities to respond in care to community need.
They don’t have a one size fits all programme.
They respond to the real needs of real people in real circumstances and they inspire them.
The light of the world exposes evil - in this case two evils are exposed, one is the way that Zaccheaus has been branded a sinner and outcast – by eating with Zac Jesus exposes the sin of judgement and demonstrates God’s unconditional love.
In the story we are not told that Zac cheats the system or is dishonest – but we are told that to do so is evil. For all we know Zac might have been 100% legitimate but there is little doubt that many tax collectors were ripping people off and the light of the world exposes this evil and holds it up to public scrutiny.
So here are the thoughts for us in summary form.
Together we are the light of the world the salt of the earth and we can make a difference in our community by engagement with other people and groups.
We have a dream a vision for how we would like to see the world, we call it the kingdom of God and it’s about justice and peace and so on.
As a church community one of our primary purposes one of the reasons we exist is to respond in care to community need. This is an area that we need to put some institutional and corporate effort. Another of our primary purposes is to gather to worship and we put a great deal of resource into that because we know it’s important.
I’m under the conviction that we need to put more corporate effort more institution energy into our community outreach. It is important to do this if we are to fulfil our mission to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. It is critical if we want to make a difference to the community around us and It is critically in the end to our own survival. For the church exists to serve other and if we fail to do that we may as well shut up shop.
I’m currently putting more time and energy into planning and rethinking our community ministries. I will build a team of people who share a vision to see our community enhanced and flavoured by the gospel life we share. I’m looking to re-establish a community ministries team that will give oversight to all our community ministries, from play group and OSCAR to Naphtali and the soon to be launched community lunch. I want a team of people with a willingness to engage in work, in prayer, in imagining a better way. I want people who are prepared to let their light shine before The NEV community so that people may see our good works and glorify our father in heaven.
If you’d like to know more about the dream or the team I’d love to hear from you!