The Solution

  
The problem with poverty is that, haves and have nots alike, seem to believe that poverty and being "poor" is just about money and material possession. But it's not. And if you served in the neighborhood in which we serve I believe that you'd also come to that conclusion, if you wanted to see it. It's easy to see the material need but to see past that would mean getting involved, but that's a discussion for another blog.

But what is poverty? Who are the poor? And how do we alleviate it? My ideas and thoughts on these questions is where my original vision and calling to urban ministry was born. But in all things sometimes you get off course and have to be reminded and that is what the book, "When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate without Hurting the Poor...And Yourself", by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert, did for me. It reaffirmed the calling in my life to do more than just give people stuff.

I worked for the "Welfare Office" for twelve years and I loved the people but hated how the system took people's dignity. Back then I knew that the issue was not about food and clothes...something was missing, but it was more than just introducing them to Jesus...they needed to "know" Jesus and they needed to "know" that it just wasn't about dying and going to heaven. That Jesus can heal all their hurts, hang ups and bad habits which caused them to be unable to meet their material needs.

"When Helping Hurts" states that "Poverty is the result of relationships that do not work, that are not just, that are not for life, that are not harmonious or enjoyable. Poverty is the absence of shalom in all its meanings."

So, when you look at poverty that way, who are the poor? Oh come on...look at it...you are poor and I am poor, we all have areas in our life where money and things, just won't fix it and neither will a surface religious relationship with Jesus.

I've realized that in order to alleviate material poverty we first have to begin addressing the poverty of the soul. Programs can't and won't do what relationship will. Isn't that why we are introducing people to Jesus anyway... but we introduce people to Jesus talking about death. What about living right now...TODAY? What can Jesus do for the community while they are still living? Who really wants to have a relationship with the mortician and hang out in the funeral home before they die? Not me, and that is how we introduce Jesus to people. Who wants to meet someone that they can only have a relationship with after they die a natural death?

"When Helping Hurts", answer for the alleviation of poverty of the soul and material poverty are:

"Poverty alleviation is the ministry of reconciliation: moving people closer to glorifying God by living in right relationship with God, with self, with others, and with the rest of creation."

"Material poverty alleviation is working to reconcile the four foundational relationships so that people can fulfill their callings of glorifying God by working and supporting themselves and their families with the fruit of their work."

Ok, so here is where the rubber meets the road...and why Urban Connection is making such drastic changes in what we do and how we serve those on the West End. What we are doing is not easy. This isn't for the squeamish. And honestly it scares me to death, which is why I know it is exactly what we are supposed to be doing.

I truly believe that our new vision...

The West End is an open door community where

nothing is missing and nothing is broken,

Kids play safely, serve others and learn continually,

growing into productive, contributing adults.

Families are peaceful, whole and engaged.

The Community is unified, thriving, beautiful

and uses its voice to inspire city-wide transformation.

And mission...

"Sharing the Love of God,

Strengthening relationships,

Engaging individuals and Families,

Restoring genuine community

is from God. And that as we believe, trust and allow him to lead and guide us that things WILL change.