Community Engagement (part three)

When I turn to the Bible in defence of the church's need to engage with their neighbourhood, my first port of call is Jeremiah chapter 29 specifically verse 7. There God through the voice of the prophet tells his people (from Judah), who have been taken north into exile in the foreign country of Babylon, to "seek the welfare of the city ... and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare". Each person's well-being, whether they gave allegiance to God or not, was tied to the communal well-being within a particular location. So, for instance, in my pastoral or church planting role, I will not only work in the interests of those who follow Jesus, but also, and perhaps primarily, in the interests of the local vicinity in which those I might encounter naturally from day-to-day live (and frequent the same shopping centres, cafes, work places, parks, streets and roads). Daniel, in another 'old testament' book, also took very seriously his civil responsibilities within the context of his overriding commitment to God, without being compromised in any way (please refer to my recent sermon series included on this blogsite). And so I have been attending community and council meetings - even the 'community cabinet' held on 9th Nov, where the PM Julia Gillard and many of her ministers took a variety of very worthy questions from the gathered local citizens. The highlight of this night was the stirring welcome to country brought by Aunty Joy on behalf of the Wurundjeri people. This reminded all of the blessed heritage we have inherited, that if embraced, will allow us to become a great, diverse and multicultural pointer towards the Kingdom of God ... but I digress. Attending such community meetings allows me/us to hear what people are feeling, thinking and saying, or as Alan Hirsch puts it, enter the rhythms of community life. From here we may just sense the way forward in offering a particular unique contribution to local community life. As Steve Chalke and others have written about, we each need to identify and understand the needs and aspirations of our communities, then seek to engage with an appreciation of their culture and language, and bring to this all our faith, hope and resources.