Monday, October 29, 2012

What is Success?


Topic: Based on what you are reading, discussing and experiences provide a minimum of 500 words about the meaning of success as it relates to homelessness.  Provide your current theological perspectives about this topic as well as experiential examples.

Response: Life experiences often form us in ways that keep us moving forward but holding on at the same time. Over the past three years, I have seen the notion of “success” with children and families in poverty framed in a very different way than it has been framed during my time at Candler.

The Teach for America and “No Excuses” charter school model under which I worked ususally gave a very straightforward definition of success. In these environments, achievements were often seen as a number. Perhaps it was a test score or a graduation rate, but success was often defined in a very straightforward way. Despite that fact that I experienced some quantitative “success” by these definitions, I usually chose to measure accomplishments with my students in a more holistic way. I took into account the relationships I developed with students and their families as well. This holistic measuring was encouraged by these organizations, but in the end, they looked at numbers. Likewise, I often let the numbers by which the schools and organizations defined me play into my notion of success.

In bringing those experiences to my work at Genesis and my future ministry work, I see some positive attributes that can be claimed. I do believe that there is value in measuring our ministry work in a quantitative manner. To me, being able to ground our work with a tangible output helps keep our heads on straight. We are flawed human beings, and we often need numbers, goals, and action steps to keep our work on track.

However, I believe that defining success should transcend our numbers in a myriad of ways. As George stated, the Christ we serve did not experience much quantitative success in his time on this earth.

Some of what Myers wrote spoke to me as it pertains to this transcendence. Myers wrote that, “Restoring identity and recovering vocation must be the focus of a biblical understanding of human transformation.” This seems to be a great starting point as we consider how to measure our success as ministers with those in poverty and homelessness.

If churches and faith-based non-profits took this two-pronged approach to ministry with the homeless, they may have a good starting point to measure success. Obviously, the measurability of these two would be difficult, but that does not preclude me from agreeing with Myers that both a restored identity and restored sense of vocation are necessary in order to work with folks to move them forward from difficult situations. 

In relation to a reclaimed sense of identity, I will use an example from my previous work. I saw many students experience this “restored sense of identity” as it pertains to confidence in their abilities. Many students came into my classroom fully convinced that they were incapable of experiencing any success when it comes to school (especially math.) Unfortunately, many students left my classroom with the same feelings of inadequacy. However, it is those in whom I was able to see progression that showed me that a reclaiming of identity is possible. Seeing a student who told me “I have always flunked the End-of-Course test and I always will” score proficient on their EOC shows me that we can reclaim identities. Receiving a Facebook message from a student with whom I constantly battled about anger issues that said “I am trying to grow and better myself as a student and as a man” shows me that reclaiming identities is essential.

As it pertains to a restoration of vocation, our reading for Dr. Charles’ class comes to mind. Christopher Jencks states quite simply, “In principle, almost everyone can do something useful, and most people of working age are better off when they have a job.” I would argue that a sense of vocation goes far beyond simply having a job, but having work can certainly be a key component. In speaking to mothers at Genesis who are either on the brink of work or who have recently received work, I see a light of hope that comes through the validation they feel in vocation. By the same token, I have spoken to mothers who seem destitute because of their inability to find work. People need to know they were created with a purpose in mind. We must all reclaim the idea that our lives can be spent in a creative vocational outpouring of thankfulness.

I have already far eclipsed the 500 word minimum, so I will wrap up. In sum, tangible measurements can help measure our success, but they should not be ends in and of themselves. Reclaiming identity and restoring vocation are a great start, and with those large categories comes much effort and discernment on the part of the ministers. 

Sunday, October 28, 2012

excerpt from one of my class readings...


"If you study people who have climbed to the pinacles of power and influence in American society, you usually find they they have had "all the advantages." Most started life with competent parents, had more than their share of brains, energy, or charm, and then had unusually good luck. Without any one of these advantages they might have done well, but not as well as they did.
The same rule applies to those at the bottom of the economic ladder. Those who end up on the street have typically had all the disadvantages. More started life in families with a multitude of problems; indeed, many came from families so troubled that they were placed in foster care. Many had serious health and learning problems. A large number grew up in dreadful neighborhoods and attended mediocre schools. After that, most had more than their share of bad luck in the labor market, marriage, or both. It is the cumulative effect of all these disadvantages not bad luck alone, that has left them on the streets."  The Homeless - Christopher Jencks

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Things seminary has taught/is reminding me…


 …. sometimes I need to calm the mess down and be where I am.

…. the meaning of the words “anthropomorphic, anachronism, and catechesis.”

…Scripture is super confusing but one thing is clear throughout the Old and New Testament….. God is intimately concerned with the plight of the poor, the marginalized, and the underserved in society.
  
…. the more I learn the more I want to know.

…..I cannot underestimate my privilege.

….I miss teaching sometimes and more than that I miss my kids.

….starting with the disciples, we as followers of Jesus just can’t seem to get it right. We’ve done a lot failing to “get it” over the years. We cannot hide that fact, but it does not mean that there is no hope for the church.

….God is seriously concerned with the plight of the poor, the marginalized, and the underserved in society.

….we can create all sorts of excuses to sit around and do nothing while injustice is happening all around us.

….sometimes, it is important to season your words, even if I don’t want to.

….I don’t get to build myself up as being “above” those who I see as “not getting it.”

…. refusing to use one’s privilege in a way that benefits society is not ok.

….God  is seriously, seriously, concerned with the plight of the poor, the marginalized, and the underserved in society.

….sometimes I need to be still and sometimes I don’t get to fix everything.

....I miss Helena, AR... the people, the kids, the delta. I did not think I would miss it all so much.

…..if you are going to take following this Jesus guy seriously, you must engage the political sphere.

…… Facebook is not the best way to engage the political sphere.

…. regardless of where you are, it is the people with whom you choose to surround yourself that makes your situation more beautiful. 

….speaking out is great, but sometimes you need to make sure people are listening before you start talking.

….listening and patience are the skills that I have the most difficult time cultivating in my life, and it is those skills that I need to develop. Now! :)

…. I am here for a reason. I will continue to ask the Lord to quiet my impatient and restless soul while I figure out exactly what that reason is.

…. there are some good people in Atlanta, GA. 

Monday, October 8, 2012

Hope or Hopeless?


For those of you who are in any way watching my Facebook, Twitter, or blog, you can probably sense a bit of a theme… I’m overly excitable and I’m fired up.

I just can’t help it.

Over the past few weeks I’ve read books about transformational development, asset-based community development, fair-trade movements, shifting mindsets away from limitless economic growth, sustainable food initiatives, community gardening, and economic development.

I’ve read old and difficult biblical passages about wives submitting to husbands, slaves submitting to masters, God hardening the heart of Pharaoh, Israelites escaping Egyptians, the creation of the world, Jesus calling a woman a dog, and the anti-Christ. In all of these difficult texts, I have felt new life being breathed into the passages, and I have again and again found a God who is concerned with the plight of the poor, the marginalized, and the underserved in our communities. Through these passages, I hear that we are called to speak out against injustice and participate in the life giving work Jesus began.

I read these things, and I get excited. I get hopeful for our world. I reflect on my time in Helena and my experiences with kids whose societal dictates would suggest they aren’t capable of amounting to much. I remember the ways I watched them blow societal stereotypes to pieces. I remember experiences I had, and I challenge you to find me a student as innovative as some of the ones I met in Helena, Arkansas.

All of this makes me hopeful. All of this makes me glad.

Just when I am brimming with excitement for the future of our nation and world to the point that my soul cannot bear it, I turn on the presidential debate. This does not make me very hopeful. This does not make me very glad.

I watch the presidential debates, and I see that my notion of hope is very disconnected to either party’s platform. I read about a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives who called “slavery a blessing” for African Americans, and I brim with anger to the point that I want to give up.

I then must decide. We then must decide. How do we respond?  Do we respond with hope or with hopelessness?

I choose to respond with hope. There are so many people in this world, in this nation who are fighting for justice, and that makes me hopeful. Many are doing it the name of Christ, and many are not. Either way, I feel called to join that pursuit of justice as I seek to live this kingdom lifestyle Jesus inaugurated.

The road of hope is not an idealistic world where everything is great, the middle class is thriving, and rainbows pervade the universe. The road of hope is the narrow way that involves our internalizing the idea that our world is reaching a capacity. It involves us all realizing that sacrifice will be necessary, but it is possible through crossing political, religious, and societal lines. The road of hope involves us breaking down barriers of “us” versus “them.” The road of hope is not on a party platform. The road of hope is not in stuffy religious dogma. The road of hope is the road less traveled; the narrow and winding road that leads to wisdom, peace, and life.

Just for MJL (And Jesus) – Amen 

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Exodus, Missing the Point, and Halloween Candy


Over the past couple of days in Old Testament we have been reading through the Exodus story. Our class has a Facebook page in which we get to process some of the craziness that comes up in the Old Testament, and over the weekend we were embroiled in a rich discussion about how God could “harden Pharaoh’s heart” and then punish him based on that. I was very much in the thick of this discussion and was frustrated by God’s seemingly arbitrary punishment, then had the realization this morning that we were all missing the fuller beauty and thrust of this story. The point of the Exodus narrative is that the God we serve is a God that liberates people from slavery and oppression.

My thought today is this is one of the many problems we run into when we as modern, Westerners read a story written by a people group in exile and oppression. Those of us reading as privileged Americans are not the Israelites; we are the Egyptians. We are the oppressors (this may sound harsh, but if  we buy chocolate halloween candy, etc it is a reality, see bottom). We can’t really relate to the Israelite telling of the story so we latch on to a peripheral theological point, while missing the fullness of the story. While I think the peripheral theological points are important, they are not the story.

When Jesus came to Nazareth and read from the scroll of Isaiah ““The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come.” This is the story. Our God is a God of liberation, and his plan for liberation comes through us. (We haven’t gotten to that part of the story yet, but I know its coming.) That is the theme I keep stumbling upon in my five whopping weeks of seminary.

So how do we do that? How do we become part of this liberation theme? Well there’s about a million different ways. Oppression is all around us. People are oppressed by political systems, educational systems, religious systems, familial struggle, socio-economic hardship, and on and on. Our job is to speak out. Let us go on ahead and do that and try not to get too hung up on the smaller points of disagreement. Oh, one way we can do that, as it is October (Halloween) PLEASE DO NOT BUY THAT CHEAP CHOCOLATE HALLOWEEN CANDY!!!!! Child slaves made it. Sorry to ruin your Halloween. I am posting a link below where you can buy non-slave made candy. It is more expensive, but it wasn’t, ya know, made by child slaves. Ok, I’m done. Don’t buy it. For real though.

Child slaves made it?!?! What?!?!


Where to buy your Candy instead -


Monday, October 1, 2012

Is Development the Answer?


First of all, forgive me for I may get a bit fired up here. At church yesterday we read Ephesians 6:1-9 and discussed the ways in which it has been used to condone slavery throughout history, then talked about the ways in which slavery still goes on today. This lead me to do some researching this morning, and I have found some organizations that seem to be doing some pretty meaningful work in terms of fighting modern day slavery (notforsalecampaign.org). Thus, the nature of my post very much has to do with the exploration I have been doing in this vein. The assumption that I bring to the post ties the word “development” to organizations such as these (not simply dealing with slavery, but with the overall betterment of humanity.) This correlation may be natural, it may be artificial, but it will undergird the intensity that may come across here.

Onto the actual question, “Is Development the Answer?” If we choose to define development as Myers does “improving the human condition,” then I see the answer to this question as “absolutely, unequivocally it is.” My belief is that if we choose to answer this question in any other way, it can lead to some unfortunate consequences. By this I simply mean that we as Western Americans living in inexplicable comparative luxury cannot be content to look at the vast inequity that exists in the world we inhabit and choose any other response. By the same token, I certainly appreciate my classmates’ discussion on the ways in which development has been done in awful, life-robbing, ways that do little to nothing in the way of improving the human condition.

We have spoken in depth about how the issues around of the idea that “we” of socio-economic privilege must go and help “them” who do not share our socio-economic condition. As we have discussed, this line of thinking is extremely problematic, however, we cannot look at the ways in which development has been done poorly and allow ourselves to come the conclusion that this truth invalidates the overall necessity for holistic, transformational development. My fear is that if we allow ourselves to look at the missteps of the past it will permit us to sit in complacency in the present.  I can hear this line of thought becoming pervasive in a society “All we are doing by contributing to development organizations is creating dependency, therefore I choose not to get involved.” It becomes imperative that we hold on to the notion of development, as defined above, as a necessary yoke of thought and action for those of us living in privilege. Even if the causes of inequity can often be attributed to developers who go before us, we cannot now walk away from a problem we’ve often created and deemphasize the need for development.

I realize that the word “development” in and of itself brings forth understandable negative connotations of which we would hope to avoid. I understand my classmates’ aversion to development as it has been done in the past, but we cannot let this taint our idea of the necessity of improved development practices in the future. Later on in the development Chapter, Myers goes on to discuss Jeffery Sachs book, The End of Poverty, in which he “argued that there are nations – representing one-sixth of humanity- that are locked in a poverty trap created by disease, geographical isolation, and a limiting environment. These countries cannot escape from this trip without outside help; they simply do not have the resources or capability.” Now, we may disagree on the ways in which that “outside help” may manifest itself, but I do not believe we can say that this disagreement renders development avoidable.

I too, have much trouble with the ways “development” has been done. As I always seem to do at some point, to speak to James’s point of “the bloodbath of World War 1 and the atom bomb of World War 2” in the name of development is a misnomer that cannot be understated. Seeing these atrocities done in the name of development simply pushes me further towards a desire to reclaim the term in a more loving capacity. I fear that if we allow ourselves to push away from the idea of development as opposed to trying to draw near and reclaim the term we risk an abandonment that leaves one-sixth of humanity in dire straights and in need of someone to give a damn. Perhaps in my embrace of the narrow definition given by Myers of “improving the human condition” I am missing some of the large holes and problems that come alongside development. However, I prefer to air on the side of seeking to save the term in the hope of searching for compassion towards the human lives that are calling out for somebody to do something.