This year at Annual Conference we will begin with what we are calling a "1 Plus Day." Thursday, June 11th we will have some extraordinary guests lead us in worship and conversation about our call to serve. One of the people we invited is Chris Lahr of Philadelphia, Pa. Chris is a part of a ministry called Mission Year. It is an incredible ministry that invites young adults to spend a year in service with the poor and homeless in inter-city Philly.
In preparation for the AC, I went to Philly this weekend to meet Chris and to see the ministry first hand. It was great timing because they were having a "PRoP" weekend. A PRoP weekend is a right of passage weekend. Chris talked about the rights of passage, so many cultures have and the fact that our culture has really lost that crossing point into adulthood. So on these weekends young people are invited to "cross over."
The weekend began with a gathering with the team and a conversation/devotional about poverty and homelessness. There is a movie and open discussion about the nature of homelessness. Then the participants are taken to a thrift store to get their wardrobe for the next day. Then they are given their night "shelter meal" of peanut butter and jelly, chips and a warm soda. This group was then taken to Chris's church building (Iglasia del Barrio) in the middle of one of the poorest Hispanic communities in Philly. They are instructed not to turn on lights or to use the water or toilets. There are a few flashlights given out and they are on their own (only able to bring three (3) items with them, excluding any electronic devices). They sleep there.
The next morning they are awakened at 6:30 (the time many shelters force their residents to leave) and given another sack lunch like the night before. They are then instructed to go to a particular part of town to spend the day with the homeless...no money, no ID, just their clothes on their back.
They are instructed to fulfill a checklist.
- Spend an hour alone.
- Only travel in groups of three (3) or less
- Panhandle for money
- Dumpster dive
- Spend time with the homeless
- Don't stay in buildings longer than 30 min. Then they are sent out with a token for the L-train with instructions about where to meet for pick up.
This weekend rocked my world. I thought I was so in tune with the poverty thing. Wrong! I was changed because I joined the group for most of the weekend (some I helped Chris prepare). It was one of a series of life changing gifts God has given me lately. One was the Delta Meeting about two months ago, secondly was a trip to our own HOPE mission for the poor and Homeless in Greenville, where I spent the day with Matthew Pharis who is appointed there. All of this is happening in the context of our General church initiatives for the next four years. One is centered in "Poverty".
As I reflected on the weekend and all that is happening, I have been reminded of our missional roots in Wesley. I am also reminded that the A2 indicators told us we are losing our passion for community mission. We are missing one of God's greatest gifts. Not the things we can do for the poor, but what they can bring to us.
After this weekend I have a new vision of Jesus words,"the poor will be with you always." It isn't a condemnation it is a gift. These people are our barometer for the health of our world and they will be here until "the Kingdom comes" because it cannot be until they have led us all to serve each other.
Mississippi is the poorest state in the nation. We have been forever! We can change that if we let the poor teach us. I hope to help us develop our own "Mission Year" here. It is time to change the numbers.
There are more poor now than before Dr. King's "Poor Peoples Campaign."
This isn't the Dream...but it ain't over yet!
Join me as I pray and dream. E-mail if you feel a passion for this. If you want to read more check out my blog later this week as I begin a series of reflections on the experience.
I am so glad I went through this right of passage.
Wanna come?
Live loved,
Steve
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