Do you agree or disagree? Or within this ironic and tragic statement could there be a surprising and profound reflection on God's plans for our city?
At times I have been tempted to despair that all the money, hard work, meetings and strategising ploughed into youthwork in this affluent part of Sheffield is really wasted on the rich when the poor should really have benefited. However I have become painfully aware of the HUGE need that is here too, albeit under the surface; invisible; emotionally debilitating; soul destroying - and not to be sniffed at... Young people here face an absolutely massive challenge to grow up well adjusted and with a healthy balance of self esteem, compassion and an understanding of their responsibility for using their wealth and opportunity not only to benefit others – but also to use it in a way that doesn't damage themselves – for example through drug and drink abuse or sexual promiscuity. It is worth saying that all this applies of course to BOTH Christian and non-Christian young people. All this is exactly what God wants to achieve in those who know him already AS WELL as those 'poor souls' out in the world that we sometimes patronisingly direct talk about.
Recently, God has been showing us how MISSION can be the missing link in all this... Instead of having to try to prioritise between one area or another, what if the two worked together so that we meet each other's needs? What if the rich used their resources to bless the poor – and in doing so the poor taught the rich what is really important in life?! Wouldn't that wonderfully reflect the values of God's kingdom family?
Last week we took a dozen young people from S17 to Barnet, North London, to help the churches in that area begin a youth and community project. We knocked on doors to gather data about the needs of the area; we built relationships and supported the local churches in engaging with their local community. We played football with kids from the estate; gave out hot drinks and put on entertainment in the town centre. We encouraged the churches in their Sunday services, listened to people on the streets open up about their lives and prayed for healing in those we felt God was leading us to talk to. The immediate results were dramatic and deeply moving God-moments and seismic prayer and worship! The young people from Sheffield and Barnet became close friends across all sorts of boundaries, grew massively in their belief, confidence, experience and in many other ways. It seems in four days more was achieved than in potentially years of youth clubs and church services...
Not only did our young people use and develop their skills and character – but there was significant work accomplished and a huge blessing to a significantly less well off area. Importantly, it was genuine and loving – not patronising. I am certain God himself was blessed too. Now our challenge is to transfer that back into life in Sheffield; and through partnerships across the city ensure our beliefs become equal to our actions. I am convinced that rather than there being restrictive imbalances across Sheffield; we have a brilliant, pioneering opportunity - and are on the cusp of God doing a new, fabulous and revitalising work in our city ...but being missionally minded is key!
Joel Toombs is helping to develop the Steelroots Youth Community in S17. Please visit www.steelroots.org.uk for more details.
No comments:
Post a Comment