This week, for Urban Ministry, our required reading was from Living Faith: How Faith Inspires Social Justice by Curtiss Paul DeYoung. I found this book to be a rather compelling read about the ways in which religious faith (notice: not based on faith tradition!) helps to inform and lead to action in matters of justice and equality. DeYoung highlights the lives of three important figures who he sees has having been what he calls “mystic-activists” – that is, those who not only see, recognize and acknowledge injustice in the world, but also actively seek to find solutions, spurred by their faith backgrounds. And to show that this isn’t a purely Judeo-Christian mindset when it comes to faith, DeYoung highlights figures from a wide-range of faith traditions: Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Christian), Malcolm X (Islam), and Aung San Suu Kyi (Buddhist).
Each faith tradition informs us about the need to work for social justice (feeding the hungry, clothing the needy, caring for the widow and orphan), but the three figures that DeYoung highlights are representative of what can happen when people really step forward and take action. DeYoung points out that much of what inspired these figures was the time they spent with those in the “margins” – those who are not the elite, be it a question of status, gender, race, sexual orientation, etc. I realized how, as a privileged, middle-class female of Welsh and German descent, this aspect is essential. Dwelling with the margins. Learning the true needs and desires of those who have no voice. I learned this while I was in Africa. It taught me a lot about “needs” and “wants” and it helped me to more fully realize just how privileged I really am.
But DeYoung points out that it isn’t just about seeing it and realizing the needs of those on the margins of society. It’s about working and striving with them to work for justice and equality. It’s about helping to give voice to voiceless. In essence, this is what we are called to do by our faith traditions. As a Christian pursuing ordained ministry, (and now speaking to my fellow rostered-or-about-to-be-rostered leaders), this is what we are called to work for – not just to throw money at the poor, but to help give them a voice. To learn what it is that is REALLY needed, not to assume that we know best. And to do so, not because we want to feel good about ourselves, but because we have spent time, and built relationships with those in need. When you have a relationship with someone you cannot stand back and let injustice come to them.
In ministry contexts, it is important for us to be aware of who is on the inside and who is on the outside. Not just within the doors of our church buildings, but within the confines of societal structures. And then: we must step out of our comfort zones, step into the world of those on the outside, find ourselves immersed in their struggles… and then lead others to do the same. As leaders we cannot sit by on the sidelines and wait for someone else to do the work for us. As leaders in ministry we must be present with those we serve (and we aren’t just called to serve the people of the congregation that calls us, although this is a part of it, we are called to serve ALL of God’s people. All. No, really. ALL.). I do not expect that I will ever have the name of “martyr” attached, or that my name will be spoken with renown as Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Malcolm X, or Aung San Suu Kyi, nor, do I expect that this will be the case for many of my colleagues in rostered ministry. But I do expect that we ought to embody our faith in working against injustice in our communities and around the world, and in serving as leaders in our congregations, shepherding them as they, too join in the struggles with the margins of society.
One final thought on this: It is perhaps, most important that we remember that we do not always know what it is that is needed. We cannot presume that we know what is best. Yes, there are certain basic needs, to which every person is entitled to have access. You see, we were also asked to read The Soloist by Steve Lopez, which gives very intimate look into the realities of homelessness. Lopez wrote about the relationship he formed with Nathaniel Ayers, Jr., a homeless man in Los Angeles. Of course, most of your own familiarities with this story may come from the movie (which I will confess to having re-watched after finishing the book). The story puts a face to homelessness, and also draws us to recognize that there is no one “box” that we can put people into (that is, those who are homeless are not always “lazy,” or “troublemakers,” or “alcoholics,” as I have so often heard privileged people state). Each person has a story. But I digress. Back to my point about not always knowing what is needed or best.
Lopez formed a relationship with Ayers – a relationship that led him to work to improve Ayers situation. The problem was, several times Lopez thought he knew what was best for Ayers… and it backfired. Ayers condition caused him to respond differently in situations that Lopez could not foresee (and even when Ayers tried to tell him, Lopez thought he “knew” what was best for Ayers). It was only after an incident with, and a later conversation with a friend that Lopez realized that he needed to learn to LISTEN before trying to speak for Ayers. The friendship – the relationship – that was what Ayers needed most. To be seen on equal footing. The other things (clothing, shelter), were necessary, but were really secondary needs.
This is a valuable lesson for all of us (those in ministry, yes, but ALL of us). Relationships, friendship (DeYoung also mentions the importance of friendship and relationship, and acknowledging that we really do form genuine friendships). This is what we are called to. Our faith calls us to seek justice. But by seeking justice we must first enmesh ourselves with the people for whom we give voice. And by enmeshing ourselves in their lives, we form friendships. And when we form friendships, we are driven to seek justice for them, and for all those in need.
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