Christmas and Charity

The Christmas season often softens peoples' hearts to wanting to help the poor. Christians usually engage in various activities such as angel tree, free meals and gift give-away's. While I certainly appreciate some of the motivations behind our willingness to give, we must be extremely careful we don't rob the poor of their initiative and dignity.

One of the most effective ministries I have wtinessed is the concept of a Christmas store. A ministry will receive donated unwrapped new toys and games. Then they will set up a store and sell the items at a tenth of the original cost. This is so much more effective than giving away toys or showing up at someone's house as an outsider to "give" the children something.

By bringing toys to a persons home you immediately shatter the dignity of the parents or guardian. Imagine for one minute how you would feel if you were poor and couldn't provide for your child. The shame and despair one must go through by having an outsider come and pity your situation. No matter how right your motives may be that is NOT a good way to start a relationship for a number of reasons.

1- You have made a statement that the family needs you but they don't have anything to offer you
2- You have created a dependancy relationship by enabling not empowering
3- You have assumed your role in that families life that you are the help.
4- You are taking away their initiative and manupilating then for the cause of you feeling good about doing something
5- You come across as someone who pities not loves the poor

Giving Thanks in the Midst of Adversity

With Thanksgivingaround the corner many families will gather to share food, fellowship and fun. It is a time where we as Christians give thanks for all the Lord has done in our lives. But is it possible to give thanks when we have just gone through a great tragedy? What if we are so discouraged by current events that have little to offer but brokenness? Can we be expected to give thanks?

The Bible is not silent on this issue. Throughout the Psalms we see grief-stricken men pour out their confusion to God in the midst of adversity. David proclaimed "My God, My God, why have you foresaken me...O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest." He later laments "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?" But with the exception of Psalm 88 the Psalmist always comes back to this great truth..."Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you."

The answer is yes we can rejoice and give thanks, not about our circumstances but because of our God. While there are mamy Psalms that begin with lament most all end in praise. After the Psalmist has poured out his heart to God, he gives thanks and remains comforted that he is assured of God's ultimate justice, mercy and steadfast love. Giving thanks is a sign of maturity and a life that is so totally satisfied in the ultimate goodness of God that it oozes with gratitude. Listen to Psalm 103...


As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.

God knows our human frailty and seeks to give us great comfort and peace in the midst of adversity. While evil persists we take confidence that God is wise and good and his ways are certainly higher than ours. His plans although sometimes confusing to mere mortals have benefit that we cannot fathom while in the midst of pain. Nonetheless through the pain and anguish life brings us we can rejoice and give thanks for God ultimately will wipe away every tear and pain that hurts so bad. We give thanks because He alone is our provision and satisfaction. We give thanks because He has redeemed us and will sustain us through all life's difficulties.

JW

Life's Tragedies

My heart is overwhelmed with sorrow and grief as trajedy has struck home today. Many of you know I am the head coach of the varsity girls basketball team at Restoration Academy. One of my girls lost her mother today due to senseless violence. She was only 32 and left a 14 year old daughter and a 11 year old son.

When I found out the news I was immediately burdened to pray and seek God for wisdom, comfort and peace. While God has certainly given these to me I still remain grief stricken for the children who will be without their mother. During my morning meeting a gentleman asked me how I would handle ministering to my team and the young woman who lost her mom. My reply was "brokenness". I simply don't have the right words to say at this moment. All I can do is weep and mourn along side of her.

I know in time God will give me the wisdom to speak words of grace and love. I know God is sovereign over all things and somehow, some way will use this for his glory. I know that the word of God speaks into this situation and I could turn to many passages that comfort us in times of severe struggles and pain. I know that God will give us the needed grace. I know that God will use this draw us closer to Him. But for now I am broken. Absolutely broken over the visible manifestation of what sin brings and that's death.

Lord how I pray for her and our team. Would you be pleased to reveal to us your glory in the midst of our despair for we are a needy people. Lord would you be pleased to comfort us and turn this tragic event into triumph that many would come to know you as Lord of Lords, the Prince of peace.

JW

Life "In the Hill"

I had the privilege of visiting New Haven, CT this past weekend, specifically a neighborhood called "the Hill". I was visiting one of my good friend Tolivar Wills church plant to preach the Word and was encouraged and convicted of how I engage in urban ministry. Seeing his asset based approached was invigorating. Instead of starting a church plant with a core group of folks he simply began building relationships in the community through a soccer camp. The camp allowed him to get to know residents in the community and over time he empowered them by allowing them to lead and make decisions for what the neighborhood really needed.


Instead of creating a bunch of programs and using outside manpower he built relationships by humbling himself and taking on the role of learner. One of the initiatives the community residents pushed was a clothing co-op where they sell donated clothes on the corner in the neighborhood. Seeing the excitement on the faces of the residents as they negotiated and ran the business was infectious. I experienced what it looks like when outsiders come in and defer to the community to make the key decisions in ministry efforts. The store provided jobs for the residents to affirm their dignity and resources for the community at an affordable price, plus allowed them the opportunity to promote the church and build relationships.


The next day I witnessed a perfectly arranged worship service not set up by outsiders but by one of the members of the community. It was so inspiring to see residents take ownership of a ministry apart from others giving marching orders.


You might ask why doesn't everyone seek assets in the neighborhood they wish to reach? Why do we simply bring in outsiders with a better education and managerial skills? Because we are seeking a quick fix...But when you do that you destroy the initiative of the very people you are seeking to empower. I must repent that many of my urban outreach efforts are driven by middle and upper class people wishing to help. By having a needs based ministry outsiders examine the problems and come up with solutions. While we may be right in our assessment of the issues we have overlooked the need to allow the community to speak up and take propriety. We want immediate results and in doing so further mar peoples self image and dignity all the while attempting to help. I have much to learn and am grateful for men like Tolivar who seek a true and lasting change brought about by the very visionaries of the neighborhood not outsiders who think they have all the answers...Lord forgive me...


JW

Toxic Charity

A man stands on the side of the road. He is dirty clothes ripped; it is cold he has no coat; he has a sign saying he is hungry. Our heart beats faster, we are faced with our great privileges and this mans lack. So what do we do? Some believers will use Scripture to back up their claim we should give freely to all. Others say we are destroying their dignity and self-worth by contributing to a dependancy based lifestyle. Others say charity is a cheap and easy gift. Others say we should give sometimes when our heart really tugs at us...So what do we do?

Not an easy answer is it? When we give it brings us great joy and satisfaction to assist another. When we give it feels like we mercifully helped another. But have we really helped? Most times when we give charity to the poor we actually harm their dignity, self-worth and human responsibility. We must ask ourselves after we give the homeless man a meal what is the lasting impact of our gift. What about tomorrow? Will they ask again? Will they all the sudden be self-sustaining and no longer need help if we give them that meal?

The reality is in most cases we never get to the root causes of the symptoms of their condition, we simply give momentary relief to a symptom, which in the long run fails. Giver-Recipient relationships based off needs always breeds resentment. If we begin a relationship through offering gifts we have just assumed our role in that persons life. It is the start to an adversarial relationship.

So what I am I saying? I don't believe giving is the best solution in all cases. I will surely not tell someone to never give but I will give you a stern warning on the impact of your gift. There are situations where we discern a person's plight and give out of love and mercy for God and others. Thats understandable. But for the most part this destroys relationships and trust rather than fostering it. We need to make sure if at all possible we practice due dilengence when offering assistance to the poor and homeless.

The reason many don't want to hear this is because giving hand outs and charity is simple, easy, and doesn't cost us a thing but a few seconds. It also warms our heart and soothes our guilty conscience. To stop and listen, take time to get to know someone and be immersed in their messy life takes the gospel of grace. It is long term not quick fix and it may very well involve suffering.

"Giving to those in need what they could be gaining from their own initiative may well be the kindest way to destroy people". Bob Lupton

My prayer is that we would thank God for the tug on our hearts He provides and move from relief to development; move from enablement to empowerment; and move from charity to charitable justice. I am grateful for books like "When Helping Hurts" and "Toxic Charity" to help me understand how people with the best motives and purest hearts can actually destroy the very people they wish to help.

Do we suffer from S.A.D.?

The word love is thrown around in our society so much that it has nearly lost it's meaning. Love in our culture has come to stand for a touchy-feely emotional response to others. Love is goosebumps, mushy-gushy feelings and then when our expectations go unmet we have no room to love anymore. This is not the kind of love that the Bible speaks to when it tells us to love God and love our neighbor.

One of the reasons the church is ineffective in permeating our culture is because we suffer from S.A.D. or Selective Affection Disorder. We rarely love the way God desires us to love. Love as defined by Scripture is one directional toward someone not dependent upon how that person makes me feel. Love is patient and kind, and seeks to be at peace with others. We simply do not love this way. We are selective in who we love. We seem to only love others who agree with our theology, look like us, enjoy what we enjoy, and see life as we see it. But that my friends is not true love.

John says that the world will know we are Christians when they see our love, one for another. If we truly want to impact our society for Christ we must love in spite of differences we may have. We must strive for unity and major on what's major. God demonstrated his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for the ungodly. I rarely think I emit that kind of love for others though I should. Why not? Because we have yet to truly love God. The only way to love others the way Christ has commanded us is to love him more. Only when we get our vertical love right can we love horizontally. We will begin to love others when we give ourselves completely to God. The more we love God, the more love will flow from us to others. We can't forgive others until we realize how much God has forgiven us, we can't show mercy to others until we see how much God has had mercy on us.

Love comes from God for He is love. If love for God doesn't govern and motivate your choices to love others it will always be mere sentiment with wrong motives. A deep love for God will produce the overflow needed to love others. Lord help us see that you are so worthy of our love and adoration.

Racial Insensitivity

I guess it really shouldn't surprise me that some folks are just downright oblivious to the harm they cause with their words. I think in some cases their words are meant to purposefully harm others, but most times I believe it is just plain ignorance. Most comments made about other races are not derived from actual relationships but from stereotypes that media and peer influence promote, most of which is at it's core...out of ignorance.

I saw a comment someone posted (not directed at me) on facebook that read, "stop talking black". This phrase has always bothered me deep inside for a number of reasons. These are the kind of comments that set us back as a nation. First of all what is talking black? By making that statement what are we implying? Do all black people sound the same? To even ask these questions shows us the rediculous nature of our stereotypes. I know many black people from many different countries and all sound different. I have black friends up north that talk different than my black friends in Alabama. I also know white people who live in trailer parks that sound differently than some whites who live in Mountain Brook. I also know people who grew up in the same house and sound different! Take my sister and I for example!

Secondly to use the phrase "stop talking black" (in the context I read it) implies that black is ghetto, uneducated and improper english, while "talking white" means educated, intelligent, and professional. This is the kind of superiority mentality that is destroying many churches and making them totally ineffective at reaching people groups outside of themselves. They view themselves as superior and others as dumb or uneducated.

Thirdly this is not just a "white" problem. There are also many blacks that accuse their own people in their own race of "talking white" (I know this for a fact because my wife has been charged with this). It is almost as if a person who decides to speak intelligently is talking in a way that is outside of their race. This is something we need to overcome but it is a mere symptom to a root cause that lies far deeper.

By continuing these stereotypes we deny the fact that we are all made in God's image and He should define our worth not culture. If we continue to allow these stereotypes to persist we participate in elevating one race as superior and another as inferior. How can we overcome this? Get to know people outside of your race. Talk to them and listen. What we see is not that a particular race is superior or inferior, it is simply the context of what a child grows up in and is exposed to.

My daughter has a white dad and a black mom, but her black mom is finishing her PhD and our child is growing up with books and proper english in her home. If you put her in a home that had no books and broken english we know the results. Not that this cannot be overcome but initially we know that the home environment and neighborhood have more to do with how a person speaks than the color of their skin. I hope as a people we would not further the stereotypes. I hope as people we would stop catagorizing people in general ways as if all white people were a certain way and all black people another way. While there are certain cultural differences and heritages that I would never deny, that does not mean one race is superior to another.

Mentor Training

Today was our first training session for mentors within the ASPIRE Movement. The consensus from the trainees was they walked away not only with a greater understanding of urban youth but also felt more equipped to parent their own children. What I have witnessed is seeing godly men and women who feel a burning desire and need to get out of their comfort zone and experience God in a whole new way.

The mentoring program is not simply for a more educated person to get involved and assist a young person. While surely there will be a time for that commensal relationship we are promoting mutual transformation where both mentors and mentees are teaching and learning from each other.

Deep below the surfaces of the water you might see this kind of relationship between the shrimp and the goby fish. The shrimp is an excellent digger but has limited vision making him vulnerable to attackers. The goby fish has great vision but cannot dig burrows. The two work together so while the shrimp is digging burrows the goby fish watches out for predators. When the goby fish sees danger he taps the shrimp and they both retreat into the burrow. Both bring assets to the table and mutually benefit from each other.

While the mentee may lack in a number of areas that the mentor can help with, the mentor has great need of the mentee in his own walk with Jesus. He has a need to be brought out of his or her comfort zone and experience brokenness on a whole nother level. The mentor has need for satisfaction and service that can only be granted by humbling himself and giving himself away to the needs and plight of another.

While the aim if the program is to produce the next generation of urban leaders we believe we will also produce heart-felt, compassionate, sensitive Christ-followers who will develop a great dependency on God that will permeate all areas of their lives.

Nehemiah through urban eyes

The Book of Nehemiah is one of my favorite books of the Bible. Here is a man who held one of the highest positions in the world being the cup bearer to the king yet set aside his position of prominence when he found out the plight of his people and incarnated with them taking on their reproaches to build the community both physically and spiritually. 


The reality is much like Jerusalem in the 400 BC's our urban cities lay in desolation and ruin. The physical desolation of run down buildings and abandoned homes speaks to a far greater condition of spiritual despair. The lack of good solid families, the lack of economic opportunities, the lack of leaders and positive role model plague our urban communities much like Jerusalem. The people had stopped worshipping the Great God Yahweh and turned to idols in the same way our urban folks turn to drugs and gangs. 


Here are 7 points of how we can see Nehemiah through urban eyes:


1. Nehemiah used the physical conditions to deal with spiritual realities

1. This is the basis for wholistic ministry
2. To address spiritual conditions you must deal with the whole person

          We simply cannot do urban ministry apart from dealing with peoples' physical condition. The conservative approach to "simply get people saved" is short sighted and lacks a true understanding of the great reversal that took place when Jesus defeated death, sin and Satan on the cross and through the resurrection. We need a wholistic view of ministry that encompasses economic developing (rebuilding the walls), job training and opportunities, discipleship through a correct view of God's creation and stewardship principles, as well as meeting specific material needs. 

2. Everyone played their part/ Nehemiah didn’t do it alone

        Ministry to the city where we do for instead of empower to do breeds paternalism and destroys the dignity of the very people we wish to help. We need to use indigenous leaders and put the power to make decisions in the hands of the people. While the urban community can certainly use the infusion of outside resources we need to be careful to allow the people to take the reigns and direct the vision thus taking ownership and affirming their God given dignity. 

3. Compassion led to prayer and intercession

      Nehemiah was broken when he heard the news of the city and the people dwelling there. He didn't immediately act or take on a savior mentality he went before God in repentance and humility. To be effective in the city we must come in humbly bowed low depending fully on the Holy Spirit and be culturally sensitive toward others. Every decision and relationship needs to be bathed in prayer and dependence on God Almighty.

4. There will be opposition from every front

     Don't expect to go storm the devil's domain and think for one second opposition won't appear at every turn. Urban ministry is gritty kingdom work and the enemy hates racial reconciliation, deliverance and freeing people from his clutches. While Nehemiah and his people experienced opposition they stood firm and relied on God's promised to complete the task. Likewise we need to work with a weapon in hand not at all surprised by the enemies divisiveness.

5. God has promised his favor

     God has promised to build his church much in the way Nehemiah was promised success. The good hand of the Lord is with all who endeavor to go minister in the city by the power of the Spirit. He has made clear that the poor and vulnerable are his biased people and we set out to be agents of change his hand is with us.

6. Nehemiah gave up worldly position to take on the sufferings of the people

   Nehemiah left his comfort and convenience of being in the king's palace to take on the reproaches of the people. He considered much like Moses the reproaches of Christ to hold a far more eternal weight of glory. We need soldiers who will move and incarnate the city that will love their neighbor as themselves bringing peace and mercy with them as weapons for warfare.

7. Social shalom comes from solid Bible believing Christians knowing their theology but excelling in their ortho-praxy.

   History tells us that long before Nehemiah showed up on the scene Ezra was already there preaching and teaching the Word of God. In fact, He set his heart on studying the word to apply it to life and ministry. As reformed Christians we do hold fast to sound theology which is the key to living a Christ centered, Gospel driven, Holy Spirit empowered life for the glory of God. But our problem is not theology it is ortho praxy or in laymen's terms our practice of that theology in understanding how it applies to the urban community and the great reversal. 

I believe change has come. Urban reformed Christians are growing and going and the kingdom is moving forward. We need more who are willing to stand in the gap and be Nehemiah's. Won't you pray about how God can use you in your city. 

JW

Why is there poverty?

The question often arises; if God is loving then why is there poverty in our world? It is valid question seeing that early in the life of the nation of Israel God told his people "there should be no poor among you", then just a few verses later seemingly contradicted that statement by saying, "there will never cease to be poor in your land." A close reading of this statement in Deuteronomy 15 shows at least one reason why there will be poor always among us. Deut. 15:5 follows up the statement "there should be no poor among you", with this statement..."IF only you will strictly obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all this commandment that I command you today.

What we see is that God said there will always be poor because He knew Israel would not do what they were supposed to do! They were a material blessed nation who turned their back on the orphan, widow, poor, and alien. Most think Israel went into captivity because they built idols and worshipped them 24/7 but in actuality their pride, greed and idolatry manifested itself in committing injustice toward the poor. A close reading of Isaiah 1 and 58 show us that Israel defiantly closed their ears to the cries of the poor and put even heavier burdens on them.

While povery has a list of symptoms the root cause is God's sovereign will. God in his infinite wisdom has allowed material poverty to continue due to the sins of mankind and also in order that we can grasp a physical picture of our spiritual condition. Poverty at its core is relational and we as sinners can see just how broke we are spiritually by seeing how impoverished some people live. Not only is God's sovereignty responsible for poverty so is God's providential acts. Sometimes poverty occurs because of a great calamity. Poor people find themselves in precarious situations and one storm or medical condition can completely deplete a poor persons' resources.

Another reason there is poverty among us is the acts of wickedness of those who hold the cards. We have seen in our country how devastating greed can be as millions have lost jobs, 401k's, and retirement benefits. When justice for the poor is not intentionally remedied through systemic measures our efforts become bandaids to a much larger issue. While certainly poverty is a systemic issue filled with injustices we also must point to laziness and sins of those who are in poverty as another cause.

As we see poverty is a complex issue that we must address from a biblical perspective. Neither republicans nor democrats have a sure fire remedy to the solution of poverty. Both sides respectively have some good and bad points. One thing for sure is that our governmental programs of welfare have created more dependency and enablement than they have empowerment. The mentality of people receiving welfare has caused many of them to abandon any hope for their future of being self sustaining. I am convinced that poverty will only be ended in our country when the church steps up and begins to think and act through a biblical lens on this issue but the reality of us coming together and agreeing on solutions sometimes feels like a pipe dream. I wish I could tell you I had a whole bunch of solutions but I only know one; to love God with all of our heart and love our neighbor as ourself. If every proclaiming bible believing Christian would do their part in completing this commandment we would see drastic changes in our country.

Why do they fight?

Many of my white friends can't understand what causes urban youth in particular to fight and join gangs, brutally injure others, and sometimes kill. Taking some insight from Tom Skinner and a look back at my previous life in the streets I could sum up the answer in two words: "the ghetto"...

The need to gain, earn and keep respect is the sole purpose for many inner city youth. Because life has been defined for many of them by survival there is no such thing as delayed gratification or thinking about the consequences. Life becomes reduced to a 4 block radius, neighborhood, or city and some young people simply cannot comprehend a world outside of their immediate influence. It is this reason why so many are told to "make something of yourself and get out of the projects", while many suburban parents tell their kids "don't go there, avoid it all costs".

Urban youth fight out of frustration and despair, the need for acceptance and approval and to earn respect. A kid who grows up in the ghetto and chooses to do good in school will not be respected in his neighborhood; a kid who holds to moral values and ethics will not be respected in his hood; a kid who desires to follow Christ and be a witness will not be respected. So because of these factors many urban youth just want to fit in. I believe that W.E.B Debois was correct in his writing that inner city blacks lack self esteem and purpose.

How do we cure it? Urban youth need to know they are made in the image of God and created for worship. For too long we have abandoned hope for inner city children and deemed them thugs and hoodlems. While our assessment may be correct these are the very people God has called us to go to with the gospel. If you believe the power of the gospel then build relationships through various programs and begin mentoring an inner city youth. Ask them questions and learn from them why it is so hard to make good choices in life.

Ultimately they fight because the lack direction and long term goals. They have bought into the lie that their lives and human life in general is of no value. They need to know what God thinks about them (Psalm 139) and have a fresh outlook on how the rest of the world live. They need mentors, teachers, coaches, and inspiring experiences to show them life is bigger than the ghetto in which they reside. Won't you step in and be a repairer of the breach? Join the movement in our city...The ASPIRE Movement.

JW

Called to Obey

Having worked in urban ministry for a few years and ministered to the poor I am often commended by many Christians who tell me "what a great thing you're doing!" Some mention it as if ministering to the poor is a specific calling that only a few are called and equipped to do. That attitude continually fuels my fire help Christians understand the difference between calling and obedience.

While there are certainly some who are uniquely gifted in the area of mercy that certainly doesn't shut out the rest from engaging the poor. While some are called to be bridge builders and conduits who devote their lives to helping the poor, everyone is actually commanded to love the poor and do justice. Unfortunately we have used the excuse that we are not "called" to the area of ministry to the poor. We often want to leave that up to the experts.

There is a distinct difference between obedience and calling. We all should obey God's call to defend the fatherless, orphan and widow; love our neighbor; learn to do good to all men; and seek justice. It doesn't mean everyone is called to specifically give their entire lives to reaching the poor, but it does mean that as a child of the true and living God you will be concerned for poor and marginalized. God's grace doesn't allow for you to leave ministry to the poor for the "experts" only. It means you will pray, use your finances, devote a small portion of your time, and engage in some level of service to the work of justice especially in your own city. Every single Christian should spend some time and resources toward ministering to the poor whether you feel a specific calling or not. To not do so is disobedience.

We make the excuse that we are not called or gifted to minister to the poor but that is a cop out. One could easily say they are not called or given the gift of evangelism. Does that then mean we should not share our faith with the world around us? The fact that we may not be specifically called to minister to the poor does not over rule the fact that we are called to obey God's word in the area of justice and mercy. Every Christian has something to give the poor. I believe that when the church begins to truly use all of its members for ministering to the poor, the world will be forced to say "look at that city on a hill whose light cannot be hidden." They will see our good works (corporately) and we will reflect the glory to our Father in heaven.

JW

Man Up!

The whole notion of what it means to be a man in our modern culture is under attack.  This is especially prevalent in our urban sectors where over 70% of urban youth are growing up in a fatherless home.  Good male role models are hard to come by and many young men are drawn to thugs, drug dealers and other male figures who are making ends meet through illegal means.  These poor role models will teach them next to nothing about diligence, courage, compassion, love or what it means to take care of a family.  This dearth of genuine manhood has created a crisis.

Reach Records and Reach Life, in partnership with Restoration Academy, have created a dynamic curriculum to help address this crisis of manhood in our urban communities.  The project that emerged is called “Man UP!”  It is a multi-faceted tool used to engage young men in a variety of ways.  It is geared primarily to young men ages 12 to late 20s.  

The curriculum package includes:

1. There is a short 45 minute movie that follows the life of the main character, Bryan, as he seeks to transition from high school into college life.  He is enrolled in a summer program that is part of his college scholarship.  He moves in with his older brother who is a high school drop out and proverbial “thug.”  Bryan faces a variety of temptations and struggles as he is influenced by his brother and his brother’s friends as well as the prevailing street culture.  He is forced to make hard choices on whether he will pursue the road of manhood the right way or according to the way of the streets.
2. Reach Records produced an album with eight tracks that thematically ties into the movie.  
3. Two administrators at Restoration Academy helped formulate a written curriculum.  The thrust of the curriculum is to compare the struggles and challenges of modern day urban manhood with the life of King David in I and II Samuel.  This curriculum is suited for small group discussions, classrooms, and Bible studies.  The goal is draw the young men in the group into the Word of God so that they can learn what His Word has to say about manhood.  Each lesson has questions that correlate directly with the movie, the music, and the scriptures.  Every lesson concludes with a look at Jesus Christ as “the Man” and how He overcame the areas where we as men fail.  The curriculum is very user-friendly and there are a variety of extras to it if you desired to extend your lessons over a longer period of time.

This project may emerge as one of the more dynamic resources available for urban ministries.  It’s a “must have” for anyone working with urban young men.  The content is biblically solid.  The movie and the music are engaging and compelling.  You will find yourself involved in several engaging and thought-provoking conversations with the young men in your group and Lord willing find an opportunity to direct their hearts and attention to Jesus Christ - the Man! 

*for more information go to www.manup116.com or www.reachrecords.com

**the Man UP! curriculum set should be available for pre-order soon.  It officially drops 7.23.11

- Judah Ben

Brokenness

Last week when someone asked me the key to effective inner city ministry I answered with one word, "brokenness". While so many search for effective strategies and new methods I am convinced that God is still in the business of taking the foolishness of the world to shame the wise, the weak things in this world to shame the strong. Yes its all about Jesus. Yes it's obviously the Holy Spirit and prayer which are vital in urban ministry but until you are broken you don't know just how much you need that prayer or Jesus for that matter.

I am certainly not as qualified as many of my predecessors to articulate the myriad of philosophies in inner city ministry but I know this. If you come in to an urban neighborhood full of pride with a superiority complex that you are going to change things, I don't care how much you know,  you will be ineffective. Brokenness is key because it removes the superiority complex. It removes the "I am coming to minister to you" mentality that so many have unfortunately applied. Brokenness removes all pride, selfishness and expectations but in return it actually empowers because it takes YOU out of the equation and places God in His prominent position to make you effective. 

Brokenness is not a formula it is a recognition of God's holiness and our utter sinfulness. When people truly grasp what the Lord has done for them there is no way to not be broken. I have had the privilege to witness sin manifest itself in my life in ways that others may never see. Whether it be the drug usage at age 14, the selling of poison that destroyed families to many to make my own pockets fat, fathering two kids by age 18 out of wedlock, the fighting, the cheating, the stealing, and the gross idolatry and materialism that caused me to get arrested 6 times; it all has shown me how undeserving I am of God's love. 

Being under the care of my local Presbytery (PCA) awoke me to the fact that many pastors being ordained have never truly witnessed brokenness. When I shared my testimony there were 4 others alongside of me who all grew up in a covenant home, came to the Lord at an early age, and have walked with Jesus since they can remember. They were amazed when I shared my story with them and wondered if someone like me could actually graduate seminary and learn Greek. 

While I am certainly not saying that they cannot be effective pastors because of their past; while I am certainly not saying that they cannot be broken over the effects of sin in their own lives and others; I am saying I know they have not experienced the kind of brokenness and visible damaging effects of sin it takes to minister to broken people. All the seminary training in the world cannot prepare you for the streets like the experience of being stripped completely naked, robbed and beaten with a gun. Watching your life flash before your eyes while looking down the barrel of a gun, crying out to God for help, and then turning from him as soon as He delivers you from the situation. 

That is where my brokenness comes from. Seeing God save me from so many desperate situations and then spitting in his face by turning around and doing the same things. Even now I have given my life to Christ, repented of my sin, placed my faith in Christ, become a new creation, am freed from condemnation, am promised eternal life, am adopted into God's family, am an heir to throne...yet am still broken and despise the sin that I witnessed for so many years...despise the sin I see in the inner city through the family breakdown to the rap music that permeates a young child's life and causes them to pursue satisfaction in everything other than God; despise the racism that I see constantly that manifests itself in a different form than it used to; I despise the pride in my own walk, the judgment I lay upon others, the jealousy I have when others shine. 

Oh if it was not for the cross and the resurrection I am a man to be pitied. Thank you Lord for the brokenness. Thank you Lord that you love me so much that you discipline me and show me my wickedness so often. Thank you Lord that even though I don't deserve you I have you because you chose me. My prayer would be for others to see your standard and their sinfulness. My prayer is that we would raise a new group of pastors who have seen firsthand the devastating effects of sin and BE BROKEN! 

In Christ,

Urban Missionary

From Pipe Dream to Reality

Over a year ago myself and a group of Christian brothers boarded a plane for Dallas, Texas to visit Mercy Street. We had been strategically thinking and praying about how to begin a life on life mentoring program in inner city Birmingham and found out about Mercy Street in Dallas through Dr. Anthony Gordon who was mentoring myself and others. We spent a few days hanging out in Dallas learning from Trey Hill the Executive Director about how they run their program.

Most of the nights were spent talking and praying through how we could bring a program like Mercy Street into our own context of Birmingham. Upon our return we began meeting every few months trying to determine the best strategy for bringing a Christian mentoring program to our community. We included others in our discussion and researched the current mentoring programs already in our city.

What we came up with was the "ASPIRE Movement". Believing that the next generation of urban leaders will come from within the city we put together a structure that will allow us to begin ministering to our young people at an early age. We all agreed that a huge asset in our city is Evangelical Christians who desire more from their Christian life in the way of service.

As we continued discussions with others God led us to Impact Family Counseling where we met with George Casey the Executive Director. He immediately loved the concept and agreed to bring us under their banner as an arm of ministry. Thus the ASPIRE Movement was formed and our website was launched exactly one year to the date of when we visited Mercy Street. There has been much prayer and strategic meetings and while we still don't have all the answers we feel that we are equipped enough to begin placing mentors in the lives of 4th graders this September.

Stay tuned! We are believing God for supernatural favor as we try to reach the urban youth of Birmingham.

In Christ,

Urban Missionary

Coming Soon

Check back and we will have our first blog on how the ASPIRE Movement came into existence.