Christian Mission and Poverty

Introduction

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engage in these patterns, churches leave and once vibrant faith communities decline. In the early days of living in Muncie, many fellow Christians from other communities praised us for ministering in neighborhoods to which many of them were reluctant to go. While our community regularly experiences the perils of violence, the realities of addiction, the struggles of underfunded education, and the pain of incarceration, it remains a wonderful place to live. Our neighbors look out for each other and pitch in to beautify our community. Our streets still have sidewalks; our houses have front porches instead of privacy-fenced patios. Our community is diverse ethnically and socioeconomically. We have public parks and gardens, and community block parties open to all. Many of our friends affected by poverty are readily willing to share what little they have with others in need. As those of us who worship together engage in holistic community development work and try to love our neighbors well, we do not think of our work as bringing dignity to people. We recognize that people already have inherent dignity because we are all created in the image of God. In speaking about Christian mission and poverty, I hesitate to use the phrase “the poor” because it can objectify 2 people by identifying them by their poverty. It can also encourage the assumption that those who are identified as “the poor” are simply recipients of Christian mission rather than people who participate in the Christian faith in active ways. At the same time, we must acknowledge that

2 When I use this word, I am referring to ways of thinking that picture people as objects to be studied or “ministered to” rather than sisters and brothers to be in relationship with.