What are some of the barriers to multiculturalism in the Church and what can we do about them?
All posts by Bryce Ashlin-Mayo
Question #36: The Church and Social Justice
The following question stems from my trip to the downtown east-side of Vancouver (it is the poorest neighborhood in Canada) and an informal meeting with the leader of a secular social advocacy group. The guy was fascinating and, although he has some different ideas and means to social change, he made the statement that the churches were doing commendable deeds by handing out food and clothing. He even went so far to say that they were doing such a good job that people could always find something to eat in the Downtown Eastside. However, he also commented that the churches were doing nothing to solve the problem, they were just treating the symptoms of it.
His comments got me thinking…
What is the extent of the churches role in society with social justice? Do we only treat the symptoms or do we fight for beating the disease?
I am a strong proponent of separation of Church and State but I admit, he got me thinking. Do we as the Church just stop at addressing the symptoms of hunger and not deal with the disease of our cultural, social and government systems that have cause the problem the the first place? Where to we stop in our fight for justice?
I am not sure of the answers but I have definitely started to ask the questions.
Major Update: The Most…
It has been a while since I have posted and thanks for being patient. I have been sick over the last week, which has led me to focus on only what I needed to do in order to survive. But I am better now and have a lot to update you on, including:
- The Most Exciting: As on June 1st, I will be the Lead Pastor of Parkview Alliance
Church in Vermilion, AB. We are really excited about our next ministry and our new church family. Thanks to everyone who has been praying for us as we discerned God’s direction. - The Next Most Exciting: We purchased a home in Vermilion that is in a great location and is big enough for our family – this is a huge answer to prayer.
- The Most Challenging: School is crazy busy but I am on the homestretch with 6 weeks left in the semester. I think I have something like 100 pages of papers to write and I am not sure how they are all going to get done. Better said, I am not sure how good they are going to be.
- The Most Experiential: My trip to Vancouver (The
Vancouver School of Theology) for the Canadian Theological Student’s Conference. I meet tons of new people from across the country and from diverse denominational backgrounds. Among the highlights for me were: conversing with people, the trip and tour of a Catholic Monastery in Mission, BC, our trip to Downtown East-side Vancouver (we toured two different churches and heard them describe their unique approach to their ministry, we had lunch with some street people, and we visited some organizations in the area as we walked around in small groups), going to the historic Vancouver meeting of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Residential Schools (it was profound on so many levels). In all, it was busy, relational, experiential, challenging and profound. I am so thankful I was given the opportunity to go and represent my seminary at this ecumenical event.
- The Most Frivolous: We now have TiVo and it is awesome!!! It has revolutionized the way we watch TV.
I will be back Monday continuing the question a day series.
Sick
I have been meaning to write a post since my trip to Vancouver (which was awesome) but I have been sicker than a dog for the last few days (today included). I haven’t forgot about the blogging world but at this point I am just focusing on what I have to do to survive.
Missing in Action
I will be taking a short hiatus over the next week as I am in Vancouver representing Taylor Seminary at this year’s Canadian Theological Students’ Conference. This years theme is “God in the City: Faces of Faith.”