either/or


My summer so far has not been what i expected. learning korean, learning to live outside of an intentional community, learning to live in the moment when i anticipate a million things in the future. it has been interesting, depressing, and some days inspirational. at work i have been learning to love. and in my work, i have been learning to reflect on the role of the church. that at least is something i had hoped for in my summer. and as predicted, i am coming away with more questions than answers.

what is more important:
to care for the world or to provide meals to homeless at convenience? (aka styrofoam at church meals)
to understand god's character or to shout about god's love? (central theme to services)
to read scripture that people may not comprehend, or, for the sake of hungry bellies, read and reflect on martin luther king instead ? (rev. choi's reflection on sunday)
to serve people's needs in the present or to plant your own theology to shape the future church ? (mcc work in Korea from 1951-1971)
to tell the whole story, with all the judgement and correct critical analysis i think i hold, or to tell the beauty in the thing to spin the positive story and impress the donors ? (my own writings)
to give critical feed back to "improve" the work i see around me, or simply listen and learn? (my interactions with this work environment/community)

in each case i must ask, can we not do both? is it possible to collaborate solutions and meet needs all around? i want to believe that it is so.
is it then my task to prophesy in this community?
something on which to reflect.

Comments

  1. Pam and Mac McSweeneyMay 22, 2012 at 9:38 AM

    Let us know when you know the answers. Love how you word them so beautifully. After 33 years in ministry, we still have questions ~ but it is those questions which keep us coming back to Jesus and on our knees.

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  2. CJMay 22, 2012 at 7:16 PM

    It is difficult to find the balance between what is seen, what needs to be done, and what is possible. A lot of times we as North Americans ask these questions but turn away because it is too hard to answer or do. There is always possibilities but it is always in the realm of the reality we are living in, there is always hindrances that limit the ability to move forward.

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