This next week I'm staying at the Central City Lutheran Mission (check them out at cclm.org). I'm pretty excited about it. The Mission does a lot of work with the poor of San Bernardino, CA-- especially undocumented immigrants (mostly from Mexico). So far I'm not exactly sure what I'll be doing or where I'll get to go, but there are enough ministries at the Mission that I'm sure I won't be bored. (Already I got to experience a summer Kermes fiesta last night-- complete with children's carnival, home-made Mexican food, and traditional folk-dancing. YAY!)
But, after talking with Pastor David Kalke, I've been thinking about what ministry looks like. Apparently CCLM was an ELCA 'congregation' until 2004, when it was kicked out of the church for calling a lesbian pastor. Pastor Kalke (PK) isn't plussed about it, though, because he says the ELCA doesn't know how to do ministry within non-white communities. He says even the concept of a "congregation" is a white middle class model... For CCLM, and many ethnic communities, a parish model is what they work under-- a community based model that is about gathering together people of a particular community/neighborhood, rather than about membership at a particular place.
When we start to look at ministry as being beyond church walls and membership, we can actually meet people where they're at. And then we, as pastors and churches, can accompany people as we all work to live out the gospel and help each other to live according to the blessings and goodness God has promised us.
This is probably especially true for young people, who are unlikely to be concerned with church membership. Young people, particularly at-risk young people, want to be connected, want relationships, want change in their communities and opportunities. These things can only happen when we open our focus of ministry, from a close-knit church club model to a community oriented parish model.
2 comments:
Ouch--this is a tough criticism of congregations! So, how does a community based model organize programs, worship, and other ministries? And how where does its $$ come from? I'm curious about this, because I tend to agree that young people are unsure about congregations. I wanna hear more about how this works! :) Good thoughts.
It is a harsh criticism. But, I don't think it's off base. I just think the church is too scared (and comfortable) to really do anything different than the same ole cookie-cutter congregational ministry they've always done.
See, the whole point of this ground-up community model is that it is just that... from the ground, up. That means that organization (and I use that term a bit loosely because these 'congregations' don't organize like white middle class congregations do) happens with and by the people. This model is laity-centered, not pastor-centered. Which I think is desperately needed in the Church today. Lots of third world Christians understand this-- you can see it in the Base-Christian Communities of Mexico and Latin America.
So, this means that the people make things happen. They decide what their issues are and how to address them. They decide how worship happens. And they give office to the pastor. Not the other way around. Of course the pastor has a role, a powerful and prophetic one still, but the pastor must always remember that s/he is not alone in God's work or in God's plan.
And money-- well, just because some guy (and I use "guy" intentionally here) at the top isn't running things doesn't mean there's no money. It's surprising how much the poor give, even when they have so little. That said, of course, more is often required. For example, at CCLM the money comes from outside dollars and support. People who believe in the ministry that's happening. The synod doesn't like this because it's not 'secure'-- the pastor's salary is even fundraised-- but it gets the job done.
It's funny that two of the men I've spoken to out here for my research have said similar things about this subject of congregations. Anthony Briggs said, "We need to get rid of our fiefdoms!" And Pastor Kalke , I'm sure would agree. We do too much organizing around a church building and a pastor, when we need to look outside. We compete too much for resources and members. We need to work together, instead. To see the power and leadership that already exists among the people, and then collaborate together to ensure that others become empowered in the process.
And when it comes to youth, I think this is all especially true. Young people know how to organize from the ground, up. They know how to look to the group, or the whole, for ideas and inspiration. They just need to be empowered a bit more. They need to be encouraged to be a part of something bigger than themselves, something that matters to their families, friends, and neighborhood, even the world.
When we get them focused on congregations, and congregational identity, we run the risk of selling out the church as a glorified, elite social club that is only interested in personal values and identity, rather ministry in God's world.
Post a Comment