Please excuse me while I make a quick diversion to my son’s blog at www.harvestboston.net. He quotes another blog that hits at the issue of “church vs. poor.” The following thought sums up the writer’s experience.
I guess the poverty and church cultures repel each other. We somehow couldn’t do both. At least not real well.
I encourage to go read the blog then come back here and leave me your thoughts. How has your church done at connecting with the poor? What percentage of your church’s membership includes the truly poor? Do you have any thoughts on why the church hasn’t done a better job at connecting with the poor?
Tales from the Truckin' Trail 
Jayne said
I am not so sure that I can define poverty as being without material possessions, a nice house, a car or a certain income level. I am more and more convinced that the truly poor are simply those who do not know Jesus. Quite often that definition covers those who can purchase just about anything our minds can think up. The TRULY poor are those who do not know what they are living without, or should I say who they are living without? I don’t think it matters so much that we align ourselves with any particular station of people so much as it matters that we are leading people to Jesus.
My concern each day is aimed at who I might influence today to move closer to him as I journey through my day. He wants a relationship with rich and middle income, poor and destitute. We are merely conduits. I see people around me specifically connecting with the poor by helping them with recovery from addiction. I see others helping the poor by providing food or another basic necessity. Several women I know give spiritual counsel to unbelieving women going through divorce, which by the way is almost always financially devastating. I know of a young man I worship with who has chosen to ride the rapid transit train every morning just so that he can share his faith with a fellow rider.
I also see people engaged in Bible study with the wealthiest of this city. Those Bible studies were initiated, because the student saw that the ethics and values were different among believers. The difference opened a door of opportunity.
Personally, I do what I can by locating families who will allow their homes and possessions to be a place of refuge, a place where children can learn of eternal hope. More than once, through the child the family has been led to the Lord. As a nurse, my husband has opportunities almost daily where he can comfort, pray with and/or share (often without really knowing the financial condition of the patient.) We are the church, so I guess that is how I answer the question you pose. How is my church handling it? How are we reaching the poor? We aren’t excluding anyone.
I don’t concern myself too much with how other believers are getting the job done. I know myself well enough to know that I would fall into the trap of judging if I did. I just know that I must do all that I can. Like you and your family, in our daily walk, we lead those that we can to our table where we can shared the greatest gift. I don’t say these things to boast, but to show your readers that we all have opportunities in our day to be the Spirit of God to wealthy and poor alike whether we are driving a truck, changing a bedpan or wiping a child’s tear stained cheek. We do it purposefully, prayerfully, simply and the glory belongs to Him.
That said, God has a plan for all of us. We are most fulfilled when we follow his plan instead of our own. It sounds like your boy has found God’s plan for him and he is following with his whole heart. As a father, you have much to be proud of and I am glad you pointed us to his blog again. You both are modeling the whole point of “Go.” What a blessing you both are to so many!
Agent B said
Jayne – I have no desire to pick on you or attack you (or anyone).
But your words sound typical of most or all middle class, church-going people. That is, when someone in the church brings up “the poor”, the first nervous response is, “yeah…but wealthy people need Jesus too”.
Well…OK. Sure.
But the topic here is: church culture and poverty culture don’t mix. Why?
And Jesus talks more about the poor and less about the rich. Except that camel through a needle thing, I guess.
So, as a church person who is probably involved and/or steeped in the church culture, what can you do about dissolving that culture to bring the poor to Jesus?
If the poor aren’t welcome in your church by way of culture or invitation or whatever, then why be part of that church at all?