The solutions proposed by our society will not result in the world becoming a better place. – Dr. Jim Lang
If my people, who are called by my name, would humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive them of their sins, and will heal the land.
II Chronicles 7:14
Within the social and spiritual context of the city, what is needful? As it relates to life and godliness, nothing short of the effectual fervent working of the Holy Spirit in the lives of its people by the way of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, through faith by God’s grace, will bring about the needed spiritual awakening and transformation of “da hood”. Beyond popular belief, the harsh, physical landscapes of the inner-city are not a direct reflection of the inner turmoil and emotional conflict of those that live there. No, if that were so, every nook and cranny of the American geographic would be a virtual wasteland of man’s spiritual condition and depravity. However, the effects of sin on our world and in the city are evident, and it takes shape in many different forms, particularly in a large number of communities in the city.
For instance, many predominantly black, inner-city communities in the U.S. are currently experiencing the adverse effects of imminent domain and widespread gentrification more than ever before (Micah 2:1,2). Years of gun violence, drug trafficking and abuse, failing schools, economic injustice, technological divide, racial parity and generational poverty have all slowly plagued many of these communities since desegregation and “white flight”; most have never recovered. Hence, the changing economy of neighborhoods, the lack of viable resources, and the apathy resulting from crime, broken families, job loss, poor housing and lack of education contribute immensely to the blight that we see, as well as experience. All of this, then, is the revealed side-effect of sin at work in the world and in the life of the inner-city.
Over the past 25 or more years, epidemic levels of hardship, blight, brain drain and spiritual anemia present in the black community have supplanted programmatic efforts to act on the social gospel of “Love thy neighbor as thyself”. Moreover, the presence of the local church seems to be increasingly inept and impotent in the face of these dire challenges, thus appearing to be “more heavenly minded than any earthly good”. In fact, with the number of mega churches increasing, less bible-believing, doctrinally sound congregations are being planted in inner-city communities. More congregations are moving out of “da hood” into bigger and better facilities located elsewhere. It does not help that most of the membership of many of the local churches that have remained commute to Sunday services from other neighborhoods and surrounding suburbs in the metropolitan area.
Adding worldly insult to spiritual injury, many of these communities have been deemed “hopeless”. School districts have commissioned school closings; city ordinances have made way for commercial building projects as well as housing whose affordability remains far out of reach of the pocket books of families and residents who have long endured. Subversively, local governments change the face of these communities and push the indigent further to the fringes of our already marginalized society (Isaiah 5:8). However, there is hope for the hopeless.
To make matters worse, many churches are preaching a deceptive gospel of prosperity (some out of greed) and a “cheap” kind of grace that speaks only to the love of God and His blessings, but never addresses the deeper heart issues behind man’s spiritual condition within the scope of “da hood”. These false prophets, then, rob the people both financially and spiritually because they do not understand the truth (Micah 2:8,9). Hence, many who live in these broken communities question God’s love and equate “blessings” with God’s favor.
Jesus Christ proclaims, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10) Jesus has taught us that He is Life. Everything else, then, is not life at all. However, the thief has been busy in the inner-city. According to Charles Lyons, pastor of Armitage Baptist Church in Chicago, “Urban evangelism is the biblical strategy to reach the world.” God’s biblical call to reach the world, then, begins at the lights on the hill. Urban Remnant has responded to the call, and like the prophet Nehemiah, we seek to repair the walls surrounding the city and to restore worship to the temple of God. Our mission is to return to the field of our broken communities in order to promote its emancipation from the bondage of apathy, hostility, fear and sin; and to cultivate the transformation of its people into the likeness of Christ. We will accomplish this by the power of God and through the empowering of the Holy Spirit, preaching the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and making disciples who will pursue holiness and in turn spread the Word. This call to renewal, then, will spur a sense of urgency to actively rebuild, educate and invigorate our communities in order to bring about financial peace, economic stability, academic excellence and spiritual awakening.
An Urban Remnant
A remnant is defined as the leftover or the small part that remains after the main part no longer exists. About nine years ago when my wife and I still lived in Detroit, we and our friends discussed the growing trend of the city's population drainage. This version of flight appeared to find its effect in a number of factors: increased blight, failing schools, poor city services, high property taxes, etc. As brain-drain increased, we also observed another trend, though alarming to us, that was observable for several years. Increasingly, many of the local churches in the city were becoming hubs for commuter traffic. What I mean by this is that most of the members of these local churches, particular in the large historical congregations and ministries, commuted from other cities or neighborhoods to attend worship services. We saw this trend as the growing barrier to local churches effectively reaching the communities they served with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Essentially, the people of God were not living amongst the people they served.
Our urban communities are changing everyday. The name Urban Remnant concerns itself with the city and the people who choose to remain despite. Its about the Ministry of Reconciliation lived out in the broken places. Its about making disciples, bearing fruit that remains, and positively affecting the spiritual growth of our local communities through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This Urban Remnant seeks to spearhead a forum for discussing these matters and developing biblical strategies to address them.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Better than Life
Thought for the Morning: Tuesday, November 18, 2008
As I prayed this morning in my classroom, God impressed on my heart a thought that I seldom think about as I negotiate through a world system that emphasizes the needs of “self” over the needs of others. Although Christ promises us abundant life, His purpose for our lives is not that we have better ones, but that in His name, to His Father’s glory, and for the increase of His kingdom, I make better the lives of others. David expressed in the Psalms his praises to God for His loving-kindness: a deep, unselfishly loving faithfulness. It is this loving-kindness, he says, that is better than life itself (Psalm 63: 3).
What is my life? Does it consist of the abundance of things and the satisfaction of self-interests? Or is it Christ who is my life? Because Christ is my life, I have the ability by the power of the Holy Spirit to comprehend God’s loving-kindness toward me (Ephesians 3: 14 – 21). God’s provision (physical needs, spiritual formation, and emotional support) for me in all things ensures that I will be uniquely taken care of and it frees me to place focus on the lives of others. Hence, if I understand God’s deep love and unfettered commitment to me, which is my life, then by the power of His Spirit, I can share that deep love and unfettered commitment toward others. When I allow nothing to be done out of selfish ambition and conceit, but in lowliness of mind esteem others better than myself, then I am fulfilling the second commandment: to love thy neighbor as thyself.
As I prayed this morning in my classroom, God impressed on my heart a thought that I seldom think about as I negotiate through a world system that emphasizes the needs of “self” over the needs of others. Although Christ promises us abundant life, His purpose for our lives is not that we have better ones, but that in His name, to His Father’s glory, and for the increase of His kingdom, I make better the lives of others. David expressed in the Psalms his praises to God for His loving-kindness: a deep, unselfishly loving faithfulness. It is this loving-kindness, he says, that is better than life itself (Psalm 63: 3).
What is my life? Does it consist of the abundance of things and the satisfaction of self-interests? Or is it Christ who is my life? Because Christ is my life, I have the ability by the power of the Holy Spirit to comprehend God’s loving-kindness toward me (Ephesians 3: 14 – 21). God’s provision (physical needs, spiritual formation, and emotional support) for me in all things ensures that I will be uniquely taken care of and it frees me to place focus on the lives of others. Hence, if I understand God’s deep love and unfettered commitment to me, which is my life, then by the power of His Spirit, I can share that deep love and unfettered commitment toward others. When I allow nothing to be done out of selfish ambition and conceit, but in lowliness of mind esteem others better than myself, then I am fulfilling the second commandment: to love thy neighbor as thyself.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Wisdom: the Value of Learning in the Face of Frustration.
An educator that shuns education, that's a travesty; but an educator that seeks to avoid validation, that's a trailblazer.
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Wisdom is the best education.
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When we were denied equal access to quality education, we as a people girded our loins and mustered strength for the good fight: to honor schooling and to value learning despite inferior resources and uphill battles for equality in the face of Jim Crow. Nearly fifty-five years since Brown v. the BOE, mostly every person has equal access to free and public K-12 education without discrimination or written rules that deny that access. Though the system is imperfect (look at the inequities in state school funding), in most cases the system, its tools, and resources available to students, families, teachers, and communities are undeniably better than those under "separate, but equal." However, something has been lost.
We no longer have the faith to fight the good fight in the face of the present trials that many of students in urban schools encounter. I'm not speaking about rallies, or marches, or protests, or legislation, or fiery dialogues at school board meetings and collective bargaining tables. We can do that. I'm speaking about the wholesale honor of schooling and the value of learning that, despite the challenges, familes instilled in their children. Teachers valued the learner more than themselves, and more so in our communities (I believe) than anywhere else because of those past challenges of racism and inequality. There was more autonomy.
Today, the high school drop-out and low graduation rates are staggering amongst many urban, African-American and Latino/a students. There are more students wrack with behavior and conduct disorders (both diagnosed and undiagnosed) that impede learning. Social and community issues plague our schools. Many inner-city educators are tired, some are simply there: to sit on tenure; no longer to be trailblazers in their classrooms to rally on behalf of their children. The system is broken. Teachers are broken. Students are broken. Families are broken. Communities are broken. The people rage, and the spirits are broken. We are broken.
No longer do we thrive and survive the fiery furnace. We simply burn like chaff in the blaze of a violent crucible. Why? It is my belief that the collective community of many inner-city student bodies perish in the flames because its people fail to believe, hope, trust for something better; and to value learning.
Of course I believe that the faith of our fathers saw us through many dangers, toils, and snares; and that mainly the God of our fathers through the Gospel of Christ. Yet, not all school communities are imperiled like many in urban or rural communities. They are broken in other ways. Yet there is something to be said about the faith, sweat, blood, tears, and prayers that blazed a trail toward actualizing that which our fathers envisioned as "better." Noah trusted God for that which was better. Abraham trusted God for that which was better. Moses trusted God for that was better. Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Dubois, Carter G. Woodson, A. Phillip Randolph, Mary McCleod Bethune-Cookman, Dr. Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Cesar Chavez; each one hoped for something better as the world raged. And within their spheres those hopes expanded, dreams realized in the lives of people who wanted "better."
We have to want better to get better. The best education is wisdom, as the Proverbist writes. "Get wisdom." It makes life all the more better.
------------------------------------------------------------
Wisdom is the best education.
------------------------------------------------------------
When we were denied equal access to quality education, we as a people girded our loins and mustered strength for the good fight: to honor schooling and to value learning despite inferior resources and uphill battles for equality in the face of Jim Crow. Nearly fifty-five years since Brown v. the BOE, mostly every person has equal access to free and public K-12 education without discrimination or written rules that deny that access. Though the system is imperfect (look at the inequities in state school funding), in most cases the system, its tools, and resources available to students, families, teachers, and communities are undeniably better than those under "separate, but equal." However, something has been lost.
We no longer have the faith to fight the good fight in the face of the present trials that many of students in urban schools encounter. I'm not speaking about rallies, or marches, or protests, or legislation, or fiery dialogues at school board meetings and collective bargaining tables. We can do that. I'm speaking about the wholesale honor of schooling and the value of learning that, despite the challenges, familes instilled in their children. Teachers valued the learner more than themselves, and more so in our communities (I believe) than anywhere else because of those past challenges of racism and inequality. There was more autonomy.
Today, the high school drop-out and low graduation rates are staggering amongst many urban, African-American and Latino/a students. There are more students wrack with behavior and conduct disorders (both diagnosed and undiagnosed) that impede learning. Social and community issues plague our schools. Many inner-city educators are tired, some are simply there: to sit on tenure; no longer to be trailblazers in their classrooms to rally on behalf of their children. The system is broken. Teachers are broken. Students are broken. Families are broken. Communities are broken. The people rage, and the spirits are broken. We are broken.
No longer do we thrive and survive the fiery furnace. We simply burn like chaff in the blaze of a violent crucible. Why? It is my belief that the collective community of many inner-city student bodies perish in the flames because its people fail to believe, hope, trust for something better; and to value learning.
Of course I believe that the faith of our fathers saw us through many dangers, toils, and snares; and that mainly the God of our fathers through the Gospel of Christ. Yet, not all school communities are imperiled like many in urban or rural communities. They are broken in other ways. Yet there is something to be said about the faith, sweat, blood, tears, and prayers that blazed a trail toward actualizing that which our fathers envisioned as "better." Noah trusted God for that which was better. Abraham trusted God for that which was better. Moses trusted God for that was better. Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Dubois, Carter G. Woodson, A. Phillip Randolph, Mary McCleod Bethune-Cookman, Dr. Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Cesar Chavez; each one hoped for something better as the world raged. And within their spheres those hopes expanded, dreams realized in the lives of people who wanted "better."
We have to want better to get better. The best education is wisdom, as the Proverbist writes. "Get wisdom." It makes life all the more better.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
The Dream Act
1 Chronicles 16:23-24
23 "Sing to the LORD, all the earth;
Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
24 "Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples."
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Over the past year, Illinos Senator Dick Durbin (D) and Utah Senator Orin Hatch (R) have championed a bipartisan bill that they believe would create a path toward citizenship for children of parents who've entered the country illegally. The "Dream Act" outlines a six year long pathway for qualifying, undocumented children, most of whom had no choice whether to come here or not, to become U.S. citizens if they complete the requirements toward a four year college degree or military service.
I would consider myself somewhat conservative when it comes to many political issues, including immigration policy. However, this bill hopes to fix at least one aspect of an already broken, fragmented policy: the dream of thousands of children who had no other choice than to follow their families illegally into the United States. According to Nick, a comment editor on the bill's web portal, nearly 65,000 children of the hundreds of thousands of high school seniors who graduate each year do not realize the same dreams that most graduates envision for themselves because of their illegal status. I personally know children who have either graduated from high school or are near graduation who are affected by this. I believe that the intention of this bill is a good one; one that extends grace, places no limits on responsible governance and regulation, and grants opportunity to hardworking students with long-term dreams. Repair the loophole of identity theft, and its potential to fuel fear of "terror;" and this bill (law) will be even better.
To those of us who are believers, disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we are commanded to fulfill the great commission; to make disciples through the gospel of our God. This is part of our identity as strangers who were invited into an eternal citizenship, one "where moths and rust do not destroy, nor thieves break in and steal." We should be asking questions like, "How does immigration policy in our country impact the kingdom of God?" Agree or disagree, in a post-modern world where urban communities are becoming more diverse and multicultural, we should engage in the issues that I believe God wants His own to also address: in truth and in love. In doing so responsibly, biblically, and joyfully, we in turn invite friendship and dialogue from a dying, broken world in need of redemption.
23 "Sing to the LORD, all the earth;
Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
24 "Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples."
-----------------------------------------------------------
Over the past year, Illinos Senator Dick Durbin (D) and Utah Senator Orin Hatch (R) have championed a bipartisan bill that they believe would create a path toward citizenship for children of parents who've entered the country illegally. The "Dream Act" outlines a six year long pathway for qualifying, undocumented children, most of whom had no choice whether to come here or not, to become U.S. citizens if they complete the requirements toward a four year college degree or military service.
I would consider myself somewhat conservative when it comes to many political issues, including immigration policy. However, this bill hopes to fix at least one aspect of an already broken, fragmented policy: the dream of thousands of children who had no other choice than to follow their families illegally into the United States. According to Nick, a comment editor on the bill's web portal, nearly 65,000 children of the hundreds of thousands of high school seniors who graduate each year do not realize the same dreams that most graduates envision for themselves because of their illegal status. I personally know children who have either graduated from high school or are near graduation who are affected by this. I believe that the intention of this bill is a good one; one that extends grace, places no limits on responsible governance and regulation, and grants opportunity to hardworking students with long-term dreams. Repair the loophole of identity theft, and its potential to fuel fear of "terror;" and this bill (law) will be even better.
To those of us who are believers, disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we are commanded to fulfill the great commission; to make disciples through the gospel of our God. This is part of our identity as strangers who were invited into an eternal citizenship, one "where moths and rust do not destroy, nor thieves break in and steal." We should be asking questions like, "How does immigration policy in our country impact the kingdom of God?" Agree or disagree, in a post-modern world where urban communities are becoming more diverse and multicultural, we should engage in the issues that I believe God wants His own to also address: in truth and in love. In doing so responsibly, biblically, and joyfully, we in turn invite friendship and dialogue from a dying, broken world in need of redemption.
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