Rev George Nicholas was the preacher yesterday at our church. He came to talk about the ministry of Grace United Methodist Church, an inner city congregation in Rochester located in an area called the crescent: an area that experiences the highest crime rate, violence, and poverty in the city.
He told the story of Camry McNight, a 12 year old Rochester girl who died three weeks ago after being shot in the face during an altercation on the streets.
Some of the questions George asked were:
1. What is the church doing in all this?
2. Why does it seem like the church is focused on the suburbs and abandoning the city?
3. Even in a tough, violent world do we still believe that God is able to do all things?
George also shared some of his vision to find a location to renovate and create a ministry center that would house ministries for job training, health care, food distribution, and other urgently needed services. George's vision is a BHAG vision. (Big, Hairy, Audacious) It is the kind of vision that God inspires.
Our church needs to help Grace UMC in every way possible. I believe that God has linked our churches together in a partnership for this very purpose. If you have a burden for the city, and if you have skills that would be helpful as Grace UMC moves forward, please let me know.
I'd also be interested in your ideas: what responsibility does a suburban church like ours have for the people who live in the city? What should we be doing? What ideas do you have?
Why This Blog
Every Monday I will be summarizing my Sunday message and asking for your feedback. I invite your comments, insights, best practices, critiques, and life experiences. What we do on Sunday is monologue. We grow best when we dialogue.
To post a comment: click on the title of the article or the # of comments button. Scroll down to the bottom and add your comment.
To post a comment: click on the title of the article or the # of comments button. Scroll down to the bottom and add your comment.
About Me
- Jeff Long
- I am the pastor of a great church in Farmington, NY. I am a long distance biker and I love the Buffalo Bills. I am passionate about guiding our church to make a difference in local, regional, and global ways.
I'm sorry I missed Rev George on Sunday. This sounds like a great oppertunity to serve. I agree we need to support Grace.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to be back after some time...
ReplyDeleteIt seems that many us have no idea of what the reality of the inner city is all about. More importantly, some may even ignore or close their eyes to it all. It is great to know that Rev. George is wide eyed and ready for all that comes his way. I would be honored to help in any way possible.
The vidoe was very strengthening as it showed so many (adults and children) that were pretty bad off... however, those same people showed smiles of life and strength in and with that church. That church, where They find God every week.
We have prayed for God to show tangible ways for us to reach out and we have prayed for tangible projects for the group of men who are willing to do repairs etc. I wonder if some of the projects that God will give them are in the city?
ReplyDeleteand to be part of answering God's call to: "be the church"...to link arms and roll up our sleeves to 'build' in MANY tangible ways - - to honor and uplift HIS kingdom in a broken, hurting ,fallen world - -how blessed are we to be able to participate directly in what God has laid out to do!!
ReplyDelete