Discernment Session
City House hosted a discernment session on Thursday night at Richfield United Methodist Church http://www.richfieldumc.org/ about a potential expansion of mission. 21 people came together, representing a diverse mix of participants, volunteers, donors, board members, and partners. City House’s current mission states that “We tend to the spiritual lives of the poor.” The proposed mission expansion would read “Inviting people into a relationship with the poor for mutual spiritual growth and transformation.” The group was asked to feedback on the proposal and to respond to the questions:
- What seems life giving - like it might be “Of God?”
- What seems like it might not be “Of God?”
It was also proposed that we leave spirituality undefined - that it be left up to every individual to define it for themselves - that we honor that diversity - and that we focus instead on the outcomes of spiritual growth and transformation, rather than a specific path to get there.
The energy and enthusiasm in the room were high. The general consensus affirmed the new direction. Much of our discussion centered on the use of language. Some of the issues raised in this session and in other one on one conversations:
- Talk about a cultural encounter more than bringing “Help to someone in need.”
- Referring to “the poor” sounds a little “off” to some. It can sound degrading.
- Encouraging people into a relationship with “diverse people”
- “Poor in Spirit” has energy for some
- “Promote spirituality as a resource to a broken world”, was alternative wording proposed by some.
- Concern that we will end up “using” the poor.
- A spiritual companion relationship is never “mutual”. There is always a differential of power that must be recognized.
- Fear that we will try to go too fast in this new direction
- Recommendation that we have some kind of language that we use to describe our understanding of spirituality as we go into congregations.
- A preference by some that the mission be broader.
A generous thanks to all of those that have given feedback about this proposed direction.
Any other new thoughts?
The next step: commitment, modification, or rejection of the proposed direction by the City House board.
October 28th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
I pray that City House would not become politically correct and miss the mark. The mark being Jesus Christ our Lord, the Way, the Truth and the Life. He can bring hope and life to the poor.
October 28th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Hi Barbara,
Good to hear from you. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Your feelings are shared by others. While I am a Christian personally, as are many others connected to City House, we consider ourselves an ecumenical, inter-faith ministry.
We work with secular social service agencies and so it is important not to name ourselves as a “Christian” ministry. We choose to attend to the spiritual needs of anyone we partner with not withstanding their particular orientation.
For me personally, Christ is the path. But I look at our world and people like the Dalai Lama or Gandhi, and I have to conclude that it is not for me to say that other paths are wrong.
October 31st, 2007 at 4:32 pm
The question is – Is Spiritual Direction (listening) of practical use in dealing with the journey we take in this world?
At CH we believe that it is. We also have anticdotal evidence that is does and we are beginning to get statistical evidence to support that belief.
Most people on earth believe there is some Greater Power that touches us as we journey through life. This is manifested by all the religions around the world. However, many and maybe most, people do not recognize this greater power as something that helps us through this world. There is a bit of an awakening going on that points to spirituality as a resource in this world, but it is limited.
Is our calling to be an example of this resource through our current ministry to the poor? Or is it to go beyond that and be an advocate of the value of spirituality for and increasing number of people in need. Which is all of us.
From a Christian point of view I believe that the more people understand and utilize spirituality as a resource, the more likely they are hear and receive the Good News of Jesus Christ and the eternal relationship with God that he has put in place for all people. So I conclude, as a Christian, the mission of CH is complimentary to the spreading of the Good News. Understanding our spirituality may be viewed as a prerequisite to really “getting” the Good News.
How does that relate to CH direction?
We must continue our work here in TC with the poor but we should be prepared to take on a broader role as “promoting spirituality as resource for all the poor in spirit as they journey in this broken world”.
Thanks for allowing me to participate in this unique and needed mission.
November 1st, 2007 at 8:29 am
Bert,
Very evocative and informative. Thanks for participating. I think it adds a lot to our discussion about a direction for City House.
November 9th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Does anyone know which religions value/promote serving people on the margins?
November 11th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Hi Jodi. Great question. See my response on the main page dated 11/11/07. Does anyone have stories of first hand experiences of seeing the different world religions serving the poor?