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Reach the world? Why not reach your own city?


In modern times, it seems everyone wants to change the world, and have their fingerprints on it. It is a time of ambition, and as we look to the heroes of old, we long to participate and even help to further such massive, near global-work for a massive and maximum impact. It is not uncommon for churches to cast vision with the goal of "Changing the World for Jesus!"


Sorry... I am not buying it. What am I not buying? That the world should be reached for Jesus? No, we're called to go out into all the world. I am not buying that me, little ol' me and my little ol' church, should carry such a massive burden like... changing the world. It seems to be like an almost divine-weight for non-divine humans.

Ok, Ok pastor, you may say, you are taking this too seriously. It is just a call to make a big impact for Jesus, that is all. Why be so critical? Because I think such a focus is just an underhanded desire that represents disordered values that are actually more American than representative of Christianity.


This is what I mean: something is not more important simply because it is more influential, or more powerful. Not in our Christian world, at least. That's the world's game. That's the game that corporations and Twitter play. I am afraid that such 'ambitious' vision statements and callings for modern Christians are a quiet ploy to be dissatisfied with regular life, regular ministry in a regular place, and too concerned with doing something "big" for Jesus, when, even according to Jesus, giving someone a glass of cold water in his name will surely do.


Here is another famous example from the Scriptures.


Matthew 20:20–28

[20] Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. [21] And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” [22] Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” [23] He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” [24] And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. [25] But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. [26] It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, [27] and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, [28] even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (ESV)


James and John's mother was caught up in the same game. She would not be satisfied with her disciples being just among the twelve. No... she wanted her sons to be beside Jesus. After all, on his right and left is where the most important and influential of his followers would be!


Now Jesus does not actually deny that such a place is reserved for important people in his Kingdom. What he does, however, is find the conversation beneath the conversation. Their mother's understanding of authority and power and influence was all messed up. It was not in the parameters of Jesus and his kingdom. He first asks them, "can you drink the cup I will drink?" He asked this, knowing that their understanding of his future cup to drink (which, by the way, is an Old Testament illusion referring to the cup of God's wrath and suffering) was probably something along the lines of riding into Jerusalem on a war horse, ready to remove the Romans and set up shop like King David. Jesus, knowing that they will indeed change one day, and both will share in his suffering. However, their notion of sitting at his right hand is, well, simply the wrong question.


(My paraphrase of Jesus' words as he concludes): People in the world, those outside of my Kingdom, love to lord over others their authority and power and influence. In doing so, they only prove to others that they have more than others. However, those in my kingdom are concerned with greatness must look elsewhere: they need to begin serving others. They should actually be willing to lower themselves to the lowest status possible if it only means they can serve others - whoever is willing to do that will find themselves the greatest in the Kingdom. Even I came not be serve but to serve, and give myself up as a ransom for many - that is greatness in my Kingdom.


Perhaps Churches are too concerned with influence and power, and they need to get their eyes off the world, persay, and look at their own zip code. Wherever a local expression of the body of Christ finds themselves is where they are surrounded by dozens, hundreds, or thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands - and even in some cases, millions if you are in a major city - of people who need Jesus.


My church building is one of the actual boundary markers that mark the end of the urban city of Wilmington. Behind us is a big more of a wealthy neighborhood of Wawaset Park, to the southeast a few blocks is Mack Park, full of more middle class to lower middle class row homes. Across the street is a condominium high rise full of hundreds of units, and behind them is another more wealthy neighborhood of the Highlands that hits Rockford Park. If you head south on 52, just a few blocks over is Little Italy, Union Park Gardens, Cool Springs, and Trolley Square is a short distance parallel over the other side of 52. About a mile later, you will find yourself in the shadows of downtown Wilmington and Rodney Square and Market Street. Just a stone throw from these areas are some of the most crime-concentrated areas in the city which gave Wilmington the name "Murdertown USA."


The City of Wilmington suffers from a population problem. After the so-called "White Flight" of the 1960s, after the long years of racial riots in the city, and after Wilmington played a prominent role in the national movement, the little city found itself occupied by the national guard for the longest time of any American city since the Civil War. Ever since the post-segregation era with the controversial practice of busing, the city seems more segregated than ever, now mostly black, many neighborhoods being poverty stricken, and the city struggling to recuperate from the mess it created for itself so many decades ago.


Why do I mention this? Because Wilmington has a story, and this is where my church is at. This is where our ministry focus is aimed first, because it is where God has placed Immanuel Church. Wherever your church is found, whatever city limits it is in, your city has a story too that is in need of redemption. Your city also needs your church, as much as Wilmington needs mine.


In conclusion, imagine if every church were willing to become a "servant" to their city, like Jesus has served us. Imagine if we all focused on where we were! Then, perhaps, a nation could be changed. But we first all need to humble ourselves to the quiet, mundane focus of local ministry, and start giving out cold cups of water in the name of Jesus.



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