I am likewise. If it were not for Shannon who gave me my first opportunity to lead a bible study and who prayed for me and helped me through my first corporate america job I wouldn’t be here today. He has been a huge blessing and we are like brothers many times (geography and time keeps us apart).

I would add that your admonition goes both ways. Take away the economic lens of disenfranchisement and we see equally faithful people on both sides who should vie to cross the tracks in ministry. Were it not for my black brothers and sisters in Christ who ministered to me spiritually when I went through dark times of sin, I wouldn’t be on the road I am today.

Thanks for the challenge. As a new multi-racial church in a area between Baltimore and Washington (Columbia, MD), I appreciate your thoughtful and insightful exhortation to go to Samaria. We in the burbs can be very comfortable serving from a distance and yet God is calling us to engage all of life. The gospel affects all of life! God is at work!!

That is why, though I have been challenged, I am saying we need Reformed Biblical Theology. Why? Because I believe it to be the most faithful to a Christ Centered approach to the scripture versus man and his effort. I am not looking for MDiv, PhD or any type of seminary training, but I do want to see competent men proclaiming the Good News with authority and conviction and that my friend is non-existent. As we go in share in some communities we see that people have been members of churches for years and greatly involved and don’t have a clue what I mean when I ask them “what is the Gospel”. Even if you don’t believe it if you have spent anytime in a church this should be clear. I am not saying all Reformed church goers are Christians but they should at least understand what the Gospel is and who are the key players (The Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Adam, man and Satan) and how this all fits together. My opinion but this is my conviction.

As it relates to Samaria Christ had to explain to woman at the well by saying “God will not be worshipped on any mountain”. Then proceeded to give her the Gospel. This is what are churches should be doing because computers, literacy, college, and lower crime rates still does not deal with the issue of sin, death and judgment. This is our ultimate problem and those can be venues or catalyst to help us build relationships with our communities but if we don’t give them Christ and Him crucified what we did was worthless in the end.

What’s even more interesting is these churches have had little impact in their communities in terms of statistics. Drug sales and gang violence are still rampant. Teenage pregnancy, underemployment and unemployment numbers are largely unaffected. I contend that it’s largely due to a desire for “success and growth” which in themselves aren’t wrong desires. But many churches have tapped into these “success and growth” formulas which are espoused because they’ve been tried and proven by these “numbers” driven ministries .

So you’re absolutely right in the attitude being this desire to not “mix” classes which could potentially upset the apple cart. But this is not exclusive to some of the suburban churches, it’s happening in some of the urban churches as well. Jesus said if HE be lifted up, HE’d draw ALL men. HE (Christ) is the LIGHT of the world. Well in many churches, they do an excellent job of exalting the “lesser” light. Christ is really no longer the draw, it’s programming, personalities… even consumer branding! All to draw or attract.

Because for many, success in the church is based upon what society deems as success. In society success is well defined and expressed by tangibles, measurable’s, proven formulas which bring about the desired results. But biblically, God time and time again did more with less and it’s quite evident that in some circles of the church, quantity has been chosen over quality. In today’s economy, Jesus’ ministry would be considered a failure purely based upon numbers (quantity). Yet the quality of the numbers is quite evident.

It’s really a sad situation when you’re in Samaria, yet the Samaritans remain unaffected by your presence.

I Ain’t Nobody!