This past week I attended Movement Day 2015 in New York City. One of the plenary speakers was Dr. Noel Castellanos, CEO of the Christian Community Development Association.
The theme of Movement Day this year was “Bridging the Great Divide.” This relates to one of the great challenges in every major city–how to we bridge cultural, economic, and racial divides for the sake of the Kingdom of God. Dr. Castellanos addressed the issue of crossing the economic divide and made some very interesting remarks from the book of Nehemiah.
We find the beauty of the incarnation in John 1:1-14. In The Message, Eugene Peterson translates this verse as “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.” But what kind of neighborhood did Jesus come from and move into?
Jesus came as a Galilean Jew. He came in poverty. He was dedicated with the offering of the poor. He was a laborer, a carpenter by trade. Jesus came out of the margins of his time and place and he entered the world as 100% God and 100% Galilean man. God launched his whole missionary endeavor from the margins of the world.
We find a model of how to bridge the economic divide through the book of Nehemiah. Most agree today that there is income inequality in our society. The rich are getting richer and the poor are becoming more poor. How do we as the Church enter into this setting?
1. We must have a new burden. The burden is to be broken enough to actually be present. When Nehemiah heard of Jerusalem’s plight he was broken and burdened for the state of his city. Nehemiah asks permission to go to his city and be present there–he incarnates into the situation. He becomes present.
2. We must have a new leadership approach. Nehemiah could have entered with great fanfare and privilege. He was a representative of the king. But he does not enter this way. He rejects privilege and perks. He was there for the sake of his city and not for himself. He was there to benefit his city and not himself. He rallied all of the citizens to contribute to the rebuilding of the wall for the sake of the city.
3. We must have a new partnership. If we read the companion piece to Nehemiah, Ezra, we see a partnership between Nehemiah and Ezra. Nehemiah focuses on meeting the physical needs of the city by building the city walls. Ezra focuses on building the spiritual lives of the people and calling them back to God’s covenant. There is always a clear link between spiritual vibrancy and economic restoration. We have to take the long view. Nehemiah spent the better part of 12 years seeing this restoration all the way through.
4. We must have a new sustaining presence. In Nehemiah 11 there is a “drawing of straws” to see who will actually move into the city for the sake of its sustenance. The ability for the Church to enter and remain in our city centers is critical for spiritual vitality and economic restoration.
Are we convinced that putting the poor in the center of our mission and concerns match the priorities of Jesus? Will we take these steps to help cross the economic divide?
What are your thoughts on Dr. Castellanos’ message?
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