| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 719.1 | | PAULKM::WEISS | For I am determined to know nothing, except... | Thu Apr 27 1995 09:33 | 9 |
| Sadly, I anticipate that the outcome won't be good at all. Perhaps a few
will respond, most will probably shun him. It convicts me, too, knowing that
while I hope I would respond positively, I, too, would have to overcome some
natural resistance to do so. I'm not yet transformed into Christ's likeness
enough that my first reaction would be one of compassion.
It's so sad. Jesus weeps.
Paul
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| 719.2 | | ICTHUS::YUILLE | He must increase - I must decrease | Thu Apr 27 1995 11:04 | 36 |
| I am uncomfortable with the simulation. His professed concern was the
attitude of the church, but to pretend to be what he wasn't in order to
test that attitude isn't straight. He wasn't *truly* down and out, as he
pretended. Only his outer clothing would portray that image. He wouldn't
have the gaunt desperation of heart and feature that would go with it. The
spiritually discerning would smell a rat, and look for more evidence before
taking him on trust. Those who hear from the LORD wouldn't have him
immediately identified as the man of James 2:3-4 or Romans 2:16 .
Meanwhile, there could well be others inb the congregation who were truly
in need, without necessarily showing it on the outside.
If his depth of concern truly went that deep for the needy, and he felt the
need to empathise with their lifestyle, shouldn't he have spread his
worldly possessions among them, before inviting them to accompany him to
the church where he was well known, that his companionship would ensure
their welcome?
It certainly sounds from the introduction as if he was aware that his own
church needed just such a practical lesson in loving compassion, but he
appparently expected other churches (the ones he had chosen not to associate
with) to do better.
As Paul says, the tone of the article suggests that he receives an
unwelcome surprise. I expect that there are many churches which would find
it difficult to recognise the right use of such an opportunity. But I also
think that there are many churches, where hearts which are sensitive to the
LORD would give spiritual and practical welcome and encouragement to the
underprivileged.
We have certainly had down and outs of various types in our church. Some
have honestly needed help, and have been very welcome. Some have clearly
been there for material gain (specifically of a type that they can readily
convert into fluid), and have been treated fairly but firmly. But neither
do we ostracise those who feel more comfortable wearing suits.
...Andrew
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| 719.3 | Easier than welfare! Will work for food! | CSC32::J_OPPELT | Whatever happened to ADDATA? | Thu Apr 27 1995 19:14 | 2 |
| I wonder. If the congregations helped him, gave him food and
clothing and money, what would he do with them?
|
| 719.4 | | JULIET::MORALES_NA | Sweet Spirit's Gentle Breeze | Thu Apr 27 1995 19:35 | 9 |
| I think most people would find mixed reactions. Some would shun him
out of their own fear and ignorance, while others would be friendly and
welcome him. It also depends on the size of the church. Smaller
churches tend to *feel* more loving, because "everybody" which could be
10 out of 50 people greet the person. While 10 people may greet the
person at a church that has say 500 in attendance and it would feel
hostile and cold.
Nancy
|
| 719.5 | | ICTHUS::YUILLE | He must increase - I must decrease | Wed May 03 1995 09:58 | 6 |
| Re .0 � ..... I'll enter part two in a few days time ....
I hope we haven't given it too negative a welcome, Peter! Looking forward
to hearing the conclusions... ;-}
Andrew
|
| 719.6 | Part two. | AUSSIE::BELL | Caritas Patiens est | Sun May 07 1995 05:00 | 39 |
| { Its been a very busy *few* days, but here is part two Peter}
However, upon my arrival, things didn't work out exactly the way I had
imagined they would. Nobody even took any notice of me.
When I turned up at the door nobody greeted me. When I took a seat
nobody sat next to me. When I mingled with the crowd nobody related to
me. And when, in desperation, I approached people with a plea for help,
I was referee by one person after another to the pastor, who was too
busy to be able to spend any time with me.
The way I was treated, and the way the people I was representing were
treated in this incident made me so mad that I scrapped my plan,
dropped any pretence, and berated the congregation about their
disgraceful behaviour.
But nobody took any more notice of me talking about the man in rags
then when I had talked as the man in rags myself.
My anger was no match for their apathy.
I knew then what I think I have always known, but didn't want to know.
I would never be able to change the church by trying to change them.
The only way I would ever be able to change the church would be trying
to change myself.
If I wanted the church to be more caring, I needed top be more caring
myself. And if I wanted the church to be more committed to people like
the man in rags, I needed to not only identify with the man in rags,
but also get involved with the man in rags myself.
Dave Andrews
is an international speaker and is
involved in nurturing Christian
communities with the Baptist Union
in Queensland.
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