We had a fantastic discussion in our church gathering yesterday that I’d love to share.
A couple of weeks previous we all watched a documentary about Oasis, a Salvation Army centre for youth homelessness located in Sydney.
Yesterday we discussed the film. We especially focused on our personal responses and our response as a group. We talked about the difference between organisations that are ‘christian’ and ’secular’ based. We also discussed the fact that God is love, and if God is actually the complete embodiment of love, then doesn’t true love shown by anybody (whether they hold a ‘Christian’ label or not) convey the character (and therefore message) God? The idea of ‘rice christians’ also came up – the issue in third world countries where people will convert simply to receive food (rice) from charities that will only supply christians. How does that affect them when the true gospel message is then communicated? Does that type of activity cause more spiritual harm than physical good?
After generally coming to the consensus that all love is of itself an outworking of God, we discussed whether then the church (ie. our local group of believers) should differentiate between our support of christian/secular community groups.
The morning stretched all of our boundaries a little, and made us stop and think about what really shows the love of God, and why we try to limit things with our own spiritual/secular divisions.
As a result we’re planning a field trip to a ’secular’ government funded community group (Anchor) that facilitates the foster care of children and supports homeless youth. I’m very much looking forward to learning more about how we can best help the “least of these” – and break down that big secular/holy brick wall a little more.
I can’t get over one thing you said here – are there REALLY charities that will ONLY help Christians?????????
It’s horrible, isn’t it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice_Christian
I don’t know how much it happens now, but it has definitely taken place in the past. Most churches will only support charities that are run by christians.
That is sad that most only will support Christian causes, when we are called to love the world. I understand perhaps in areas where there is an option, such as if there are dozens of outreaches to a small community, I can see supporting the Christian causes only. But in a place like Africa which is struggling with AIDS and malnutrition, you need to support any cause that is helping, irregardless of religious affiliation.
When it comes to homeless youth, anyone helping needs to be supported, because clearly the problem is still ongoing.
I must admit that I had never heard of rice Christians before. I am thoroughly saddened and disgusted to realize that there are people and organizations representing Jesus in such a way. This makes me want to cry and be angry at the same time. I pray that each “rice Christian” has a chance to meet someone who shows them the real love of Christ.
Ya, I’m with everyone else on this one: shocked and appalled at the rice Christian thing.
I think it’s totally cool what you guys are doing. I think that ’secular’ efforts should most definitely be engaged with, for cooperative and collaborative purposes! Fantastic!
I didn’t realise the concept of Rice Christians wasn’t common knowledge!
Dan, that’s a good point about ongoing problems and helping anybody who is doing anything.
Mark, I think the biggest problem with Rice Christians is that when the real gospel is preached to them they discard it because they have “been there, done that” and it didn’t do anything.
Sarah, thanks for your encouragement