Local Missions?

Sunshine is located in a part of the world that suffers from economic depression. It stands to reason that a big part of our mission will involve serving people who exist on the lower rung of the socio-economic ladder. It's a great challenge, especially considering that the majority of our leaders (myself included) live on a higher rung. Congregations tend to attract people like themselves. If we will cross socio-economic barriers, it will not come without a great deal of intentionality.

We are constrained by the stereotypical principles we assume and apply to people of low socio-economic status. Larry James (link in right column) often says, "Poverty is complex." Yet we often carry with us simplistic, though untested, assumptions about why people are in their respective predicaments. We therefore are constrained in our recognition and compassion for the people of our community who make-up the lower socio-economic class.

I read a great book recently, written by Richard T. Hughes, entitled, Myths, America Lives By. In it is a good discussion of American Christianity's endorsement of capitalism as God's natural way of things, therefore, those who succeed are inherintly good and those who do not succeed are eyed with great suspicion. The "American Dream" and the "Gospel of Wealth" have impacted us much more than we initially appreciate.

I came across a site earlier today that got my attention. A book review on The Conservative Voice. The book is entitled Something for Nothing. I believe it represents a stereotype like what I am discussing. Here are a couple of exerpts:

There is an emotional, economic, and sociological epidemic sweeping across America and the world today, destroying individuals, undermining societies, and threatening the future of civilization.
This epidemic is rooted in the out-of-control and insatiable demands of thousands and millions of people to get something for nothing. This morally and ethically fatal illness can be contracted by a person gradually, or all at once. It is invariably fatal to success, happiness, and prosperity. It is emotionally destructive and ultimately destroys the ability of the infected individual to accomplish anything worthwhile and lasting.

and

This epidemic can also be triggered another way, arising from a false sense of "compassion" for those who appear to be less fortunate at the moment. This feeling of compassion, which usually makes the possessor feel morally superior to those that do not seem to share his concern in the same way, soon leads to the demand to use the power of government to expropriate wealth and income from those who have earned it to give to those who have not.

These exerpts exemplify the kind of thinking that constrains us from involving ourselves more deeply in the needs of those in our community. It is a complicated issue. I invite your thoughts.