Being Missional in Suburbia: the grass ain't greener
As someone who lives and serves in an inner city community, I am a very strong advocate for increased Christian involvement in the inner city, but only because that it the context to which I am called and can see the need.
However, I am not blind the broader needs.
I have said it many times before, but it is worth saying again:
Suburbia is a far more challenging context in which to be truly missional than the inner city in so many ways.
While the problems in the inner city are many, they are also largely out in the open for many to see.
Further, because so few Christians genuinely engage the community missionally, there is a freedom to explore and experiment with creative ways of serving God and our neighbours.
In suburbia the culture of respectability and privacy means that the very real problems are often
hidden behind a veneer of manicured lawns and smiling faces.
Further, the culture is less forgiving about innovation in ministry.
All this to say that, while many people pat me on the back for living and working in the inner city,
my heroes are those who genuinely contend with the culture of suburbia for Christ
without abandoning it
or compromising within it.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
http://missional.blog.com/
-Jamie Arpin-Ricci
"a goodly read" says, LGirl
However, I am not blind the broader needs.
I have said it many times before, but it is worth saying again:
Suburbia is a far more challenging context in which to be truly missional than the inner city in so many ways.
While the problems in the inner city are many, they are also largely out in the open for many to see.
Further, because so few Christians genuinely engage the community missionally, there is a freedom to explore and experiment with creative ways of serving God and our neighbours.
In suburbia the culture of respectability and privacy means that the very real problems are often
hidden behind a veneer of manicured lawns and smiling faces.
Further, the culture is less forgiving about innovation in ministry.
All this to say that, while many people pat me on the back for living and working in the inner city,
my heroes are those who genuinely contend with the culture of suburbia for Christ
without abandoning it
or compromising within it.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
http://missional.blog.com/
-Jamie Arpin-Ricci
"a goodly read" says, LGirl
posted by Literacygirl @ 5:29 PM
1 Comments:
At 12:28 AM, May 17, 2008,
Anonymous said…
Being missional is not the goal. The goal is to glorify God. I may be pushing a technicality, but I am "up to my ears" with talk of being missional. Somehow God and the Holy Spirit are not a part of these conversations. Sorry if I sound like I'm on a soapbox.
Helperlady
Sorry, I can't remember my password and/or username!!
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