Doing Justice and Loving Mercy: Compassion Ministries, Student Workbook, SW16

/ 1 1 5

D O I N G J U S T I C E A N D L O V I N G M E R C Y : C O M P A S S I O N M I N I S T R I E S

2. In the urban condition, diversity and difference cause great violence, animosity, and alienation between groups, cultures, races, and ethnicities.

3. As the neighbor of the Lord in the midst of those who live in alienation, estrangement, and hatred, the Church’s response must be to demonstrate a new level of reconciliation, service and care to all those in need around us.

4. The challenge: refuse to let ethnocentric bigotries interfere with our charge to love our neighbors as ourselves (including our enemies!) , Matt. 5.44-45.

B. We are called to be the salt of the earth : as those living an alternative lifestyle in the midst of the city, we preserve and enrich all that is just and good in the midst of our neighborhoods.

3

1. Biblical model: salt of the earth, Matt. 5.13-15

2. As an alternative community in the midst of the urban scene, the local congregation is called to reflect the very lifestyle and reality of the Kingdom of God in the midst of the urban neighborhood.

a. Phil. 2.14-16

b. 1 Pet. 2.9

3. As the salt of the earth, the Church’s response is to so reflect the Kingdom that its life and goodness may enrich and preserve all the cultural institutions of the community (e.g., economics, politics, family, social rules, etc.).