My answer: "I see it as passionate evangelism." I went on to defend community ministry as the risky business of bringing our resources together with those of the marginalized people of our communities (yes, they DO have resources!) and, joining them, we seek the fullness of life promised in the Gospel. We don't speak for them, but stand beside them as they learn to speak for themselves; we don't do for them, but learn the humbling lessons of hope and perseverance as they work --- patiently, honestly, to do for themselves. They can and do, only in part because we stand with them. As they find acceptance, belonging, love, their own worth and creative power, so do we.
The example and ethic of Jesus leads us. Our Call to this work is not fickle, not faint discipleship; it is unrelenting, passionate, demanding. It is the Call to be in community with those least honoured, respected, regarded in our communities. They give us a place to be, to grow, to experience authentic personhood. They teach us again and again what true generosity means as they invite us into a common search and struggle for authentic humanity and genuine community.
We know God with us when downcast eyes lift to meet ours, when voices long silenced say hello, when souls split with fear and pain and rejection find a smile to share. We know God with us when communities stigmatized by economic hardship, unpopular stereotypes, illness interpreted as willful wrong-doing, find a voice and speak out for fair treatment, justice, compassion and hope.
This work doesn't put "bums in pews" very often --- mostly because too many pews are unaccepting. The cost of this work is seen to be high. It is resented, questioned. "What do we get for our investment?"
We "get" the most incredible, life-changing, life-affirming opportunity to celebrate the fullness of life, to learn again what really matters in the day-to-day business of salvation.
We count ourselves as blessed. The Church makes it possible, albeit with grumbling and some misunderstanding. That too is a blessing.
