Foundations for Christian Mission, Student Workbook, SW04

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F O U N D A T I O N S F O R C H R I S T I A N M I S S I O N

Co-dependence or Compassion?

(Based on a true story). A dear sister (whomwe will call Sharon) who had been saved from a troubled past of drug and alcohol addiction had recently joined the fellowship. She was genuinely saved, desirous to grow in Christ, but still a very immature Christian. Most of the relationships that she possessed in her past life were essentially those of people offering Sharon aid and support from crisis to crisis. In some ways, the sister continued to relate to people in this way, and given her desire for change, many actually found this kind of helping relationship proper. It all changed when this sister began to come to church high and drunk, and many neither said nor did anything about it. Sharon was deeply beloved, cherished by all, and everyone was “pulling for her;” no one wanted to be so judgmental or discouraging that she might be tempted to return to her life of debauchery. The pastor, who like everyone else was concerned for Sharon but also desirous to see her mature in Christ, mentioned the situation of coming to church drunk as unacceptable as a Christian. Now that she belongs to Christ, she must discipline herself in him to abstain from these kinds of things, and if necessary, go to extremes to get the help she needs, even to the point of committing herself to a drug and alcohol treatment program. On hearing this advice, the dear sister was offended, and shared with a number of members the lack of understanding and patience the pastor had shown. Other members confronted the pastor, reminding him of the need for patience and love and not to be judgmental and harsh. With what you know about the situation here, what would be your advice to the church as they sought to care for Sharon? Whose approach is compassionate, and whose is leading toward co-dependence? One of the most common practices today by relief organizations and ministries dealing with the poor is to display disturbing pictures of the conditions that they live in for the sake of moving people to give. This practice has become the rule of thumb in many places; testimonies of the poor are used as a means to raise funds for legitimate work of aid, support, and emergency care. The problem with these kinds of tactics is the way in which the poor are seen. Perhaps without knowing it consciously, such practices can easily lead to reinforcing certain stereotypes about the poor which are not necessarily true. Most poor in America, for instance, are white, not Black or Brown, and many of them hold jobs. The frequency of the images of the poor, Black welfare mom is so present everywhere that it becomes the Advertising By the Poor

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