It’s quiet around here today; I think it’s because we’re all recovering from the weekend. From Thursday night until last night we’ve been hosting one of our Candidate Orientation Programs. It’s been fun getting to know 14 great candidates who are applying to join Pioneers Canada, and preparing to serve in cross-cultural contexts.
I’ll write more tomorrow, and include a few pictures from the weekend.
Christianity.ca published an article on May 9th entitled, “Derisive comments against Evangelicals have got to stop“. Written in response to the harsh comments made by Elizabeth May in a church service recently, the article makes the point that the Canadian ethos of tolerance does not allow for such small-minded bigotry of other religions, and should not indulge in straw-man attacks and deliberate misunderstandings of Christianity.
It saddens me that “evangelical” and “Christian” have become derogatory terms. We all know how the Canadian media portrays people of Christian faith, and countless of us have shuddered to see the unfair insinuations made. I agree with the article. The double-standard that permits unfair judgment on people because of Christian faith, should indeed, stop.
I do offer a slightly differing perspective though. Presumably the article will be read by a predominately Christian audience, and it cannot fail to find overwhelming agreement. My thought is this: perhaps our energies would be better focused on accepting our own responsibility in the matter.
If you, Christian, have never encountered small-minded people of faith, then you have been luckier in your associations than I have. If you, Christian, have never been the small-minded person, you’re wiser than I am. The negative (and popular) perception of Christianity does not match up to the faith I endeavour to live out, but neither do all of my actions.
We can demand an end to the derisive comments, or we can stop giving so many reasons to our critics. We need to humble ourselves, and sacrificially choose the way of love.
This won’t guarantee our acceptance in Canadian society, but that’s not the point. The cross is a stumbling block to many, let us keep from adding our hypocrisy as another.
A line from a Jack Johnson song stuck out to me today: “There were so many fewer questions when stars were still just the holes to heaven“. It resonated with me because I’ve been missing those simpler days. I miss the days of childhood
when life was uncomplicated by the more serious realities of life and ministry. I miss the days of naive enthusiasm in my early twenties, during which I set out to change the world. I miss the days before I was a witness of how complicated and messy life is on this planet. I miss the days when my outside view of the world’s problems inspired me with simple answers. I miss the days before I realized that my help sometimes contributes to the problem. I miss the days when I felt like I was making a difference.
Someone asked me yesterday if I wished that I didn’t know what I know now. Yes, the ignorance was blissful. I feel older than I am. Oh, the things I have seen and heard: I don’t know what to do with it all. I haven’t the life experience and years that usually balance out such exposure. Despite all of that, my answer was that I wouldn’t change it.
Whether I like it or not, the harsh realities of the world are what they are. There is suffering and injustice and pain all over the world, and the simple answers were illusions. I’ve seen the most well-meaning people make mistakes, and I’ve made my own. A taste of disillusionment, though bitter, can be a good thing if I persevere. I am not the answer to the world’s problems, and neither is Pioneers. Our role though, is in living authentic lives in relationship with Jesus, and offering His love to others. We are not without hope. The Good News we have encountered in Jesus is a hope that we have to offer a hurting world, in word and action.
It’s humbling, and freeing to know that God can use a broken person like me.
I seem to be the last person who has seen this clip of Tony Campolo interviewed on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos. It’s terribly late (filmed in March) but I’m posting it anyway, in case anyone else (like me) missed it the first time around.
Tony Campolo articulates a faith that takes seriously the words of Jesus telling us to look after the poor, hungry and hurting. I can’t improve upon it by introduction, so just watch it and see it for yourself.
Donnie passed this article on to a number of us in Pioneers, with this note:
“I read this excellent article and thought I would pass it along (rarely do I do such things but this one is short, yet powerful). It is great for us in some role of formal “christian leadership” reminding us that the inside (being) is the beginning place everyday.”
From LeadershipJournal.net, It is well worth the read.
I’m excited about starting up this blog, but I have to confess to some apprehensions about it as well.
It’s a tricky balance, finding my voice. I’m used to blogging on my own, but launching a blog for Pioneers is an entirely new challenge for me. I’m not speaking for myself, or as the voice of Pioneers. I am speaking as myself, for Pioneers.
I can’t speak for every member of Pioneers Canada, let alone Pioneers internationally. But as a member of Pioneers, I can speak. I can share from behind the scenes of our Canadian office, in hopes that you can benefit from, and inform us on, our journey.
Maybe this is the place to insert the disclaimer that the thoughts and opinions found here are those of the authors’, and do not neccessarily represent the position of the organization. Yes, that should cover it. *smile*
I happened upon this unaccredited quote on a missions-related resource the other day: “God will do for you what you can’t do for yourself, if you will do for God what you can do.”
“Talk about bad theology,” Donnie said when I showed him the sticky note I had copied it onto. I wonder how passages like John 15 fit in? Jesus said, “Yes, I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (verse 5)
There are a wealth of passages emphasizing the necessity of dependence on God. The idea that apart from God, I can do something for Him, that He is dependent on me to accomplish… is ridiculous really. Does God need me? Is He helpless without me? Is He so capricious that He will abandon me if I don’t do everything right? Continue reading ‘Dependence: our only option’
Here’s a great clip of Bono’s acceptance speech from the NAACP Image Awards from March 2007. It doesn’t need much commentary… just watch it.
