Christian compassion programs
I read this quote in the introduction to Steve Chalke’s faithworks - stories of hope.
“Bishop Leslie Newbigin once wrote:
Christian programmes for justice and compassion severed from their proper roots in the liturgical and sacramental life of the congregation lose their character as signs of the presence of Christ, and risk becoming mere crusades, fuelled by a moralism that can become self-righteous; and the life of the worshipping congregation severed from its expression in compassionate service in the secular community around it risks becoming a self-centered existence, serving only the needs and desires of its members.”
This makes so much sense to me. It is something that we have often talked about amongst the leadership of Northern. That is, that we have a desire to see the compassionate ministries have a very high profile in our church - to be in the essence the purpose of our church but we want to never lose sight of the fact that we do this as the gathered people of God.
Involvement in shared mission is a transforming, critical component of following Jesus. It is this that will guard us against religious consumerism.