Where is the Salt and Light...?

Around 12 years ago I learned of a church that, for the most part,

had lost the disciples' way. While corresponding with a member of

this church, the same church I was baptized as an infant and

played with a classmate in the church parsonage when his father

served as pastor, I learned this church had been there for more

than a hundred years. The church was built in a white middle class

neighborhood. But over time the demographic of the community

shifted to become an impoverished minority population.

My relationship with this community ended the day I was involved

in the robbery and shooting of a business owner who's

establishment was located on the same block as the church I was

baptized in. Today this community is a high crime drug infested

area, whose residents are, as Jesus would say, sheep having no

shepherd.

I also learned at the time of our correspondence, it had been more

than 30 years since a member of the surrounding community had

joined this church. To this day this church remains a

predominantly white congregation, with the exception of the

children that were adopted into the existing members' families.

However, as a convenient, easy, and impersonal way of reaching

out to the community, they purchased the church structure only a

quarter mile away, employed an African-American pastor and

commissioned him to do the inconvenient, intense, and intimate

work that the commissioning church leaders shied away from.

In my journey to become a better disciple of Christ and to work

with others who are committed to living the disciples way, I find

this to be a prime example of how apathy replaced a passion for

making disciples. As the demographic changed, the membership

moved in search of safer communities but continued to commute

back to their church to attend regularly scheduled meetings,

sheltering themselves behind more no trespassing signs

surrounding the property.

We are experiencing an unprecedented level of poverty, injustice

and hate. Not only in the world, but among churchgoers as well.

There are those who say to the poor, " I wish you well, keep warm,

be well fed, we will keep you in our prayers," but do nothing to

help Jesus meet His physical needs.

Within the church are judges, lawmakers, government officials,

members of law enforcement and community leaders who choose

the retributive, eye for an eye, form of justice over the restorative

healing approach of a disciple. A “no trespassing” and “private

property” sign at the entry of church parking lots suggests to

those on the outside that the Church favors its own, more than

loving all of those on the outside whose trespasses we may not

be willing to forgive. But they have been warned. However, a

disciple's forgiveness is offered freely because of what He has done

for us. Though, a great deal of organizations perfect their

boundaries with beautiful landscapes while failing to see the flock

that is theirs to tend, just outside their walls.

Vacant dilapidated churches are scattered throughout

communities in need, and believers are unaware that Kingdom

Embassies are closing in dark places. Our modern day amenities

offer us many options to visit large beautiful churches within mer

miles of each other. Yet, even the collegiate scaled structures allow

very limited access to those in need of the Kingdom twenty-four

hours a day. Discipleship requires continuous gatherings, a school,

so-to-speak for the broken hearted, the sick, the unclothed and

the unsheltered for instance. Our responsibility in part as disciples

is to be on call to assist those seeking the reprieve and education

of the Kingdom.

I wonder how this can be when we know that judgment,

evaluation of our sheep or goat nature, begins at the house of God

- 1st Peter chapter 4 verse 1. How have

we become a society plagued with poverty and injustice, violence

and hate? Where is the Salt and Light in our dark and decaying

world? So many people are in need of being treated with dignity,

being forgiven and healed, to be accepted and loved, just the way

they are.

It's fashionable to ask the question, “what would Jesus do?” In a

situation like this, the disciples' challenge is to know and do what

Jesus trained us to do so. Which brings me to my purpose for

creating this guide. As a disciple I know that God is

waiting to turn an apathetic community of disciples into an

Embassy of The Kingdom of Heaven on earth. God still desires for

His ambassadors to bring the blessing of His mercy and grace to

your poor, impoverished, blind and oppressed neighbors. But He

will not do it without you.