Can We Choose To Whom We Are Called?
In our recent YWAM regional meetings where we discussed our responsibility as a Canadian ministry in relation to the First Nations peoples, many of the ministry leaders raised an interesting point. Our First Nations guests shared various perspectives, but generally believed that as Canada’s first people- the host people of the land- it was critical for all Christian communities to respond to this issue in their region. While some of us are engaged in and relating to the First Nations community, many of our other leaders are not. Because of this many of them questioned if this was really a regional or national issue rather than a context specific issue to those of us it was relevant to.
This raises some serious question, both specifically with this issue, as well as with the broader question of what level of freedom do we have to focus our missional emphasis on specific groups- or lack of focus, for that matter. In respect to the issue of the First Nations people, I deeply believe that as North American Christians we must own our responsibility in both healing the wounds of the past, as well as move forward to a mutual future of relationship and unity. This does not mean we will call the shots in this process (as this is part of the problem in the first place), but rather that we cannot decide it does not apply to our specific context. Almost without exception it is something we must address.
On the broader issue I am less certain. I truly believe that we must be strategic and authentic in our missional engagement with communities, cultures and sub-cultures. It requires an intentional contextualized approach that cannot always works across the spectrum of our diverse society. That being said, we also must acknowledge that we are called to love and serve all people. Too often the church uses specific calling to justify a failure to respond those areas of great need. This can be seen in many areas, including the urban poor and the racially marginalized.
So what is appropriate? How specific can we or should we be in our missional focus? How have you seen this done well? Please share.
