Sacramental Living » Justice

Why Do We Feed the Hungry?

Brian Niece — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:45:28 +0000

I was reminded recently by a blogging friend, Scott Savage, of John Wesley’s response to this question. The question itself seems condemning enough if it comes from a “Christian.” Wesley’s response is plain, simple, and beautiful.

“John Wesley recognized the ambiguities of Matthew 25:31-46 but did not allow them to deter him from responding to persons in need. To those who wondered ‘what does it avail to feed or clothe men’s bodies, if they are just dropping into everlasting fire?’ Wesley responded, ‘whether they will finally be lost or saved, you are expressly commanded to feed the hungry, and clothe the naked. If you can, and do not, whatever becomes of them, you shall go away into everlasting fire.’ He strongly resisted any attempts to narrow the scope of responsibility or to dull the intensity of the passage.”

From Christine D. Pohl, Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition

–

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com
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Why Preaching Has Been Too Narrowly Defined

Brian Niece — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:46:07 +0000

Recently, a friend asked me “Weren’t you called to preach?”

You see, he was under the assumption that I had to be a pastor to preach. And since I resigned from the typical pastorate last autumn, I must not be preaching anymore.

I do miss the whole string of actions that is typically considered preaching: prayer, study, listening, creating, speaking. I miss the interaction with a group of listeners/participants. I do occasionally get this opportunity. That’s about all I miss from pastoring.

Especially since I’ve been able to preach everyday in my new role as a shelter manager.

The “sermons” I’ve preached while elbow deep in some dark earth while planting flowers around the building, or while propping up a very intoxicated resident, or while sharing a meal with someone who hasn’t eaten anything for 24 hours, or while listening to a resident friend as he smokes and reminisces about his life choices … these are more profound, more real, than anything I pontificated on in a typical sermon.

Every single day I preach with the way I live my life. And while I’m usually very particular about the preachers I would go sit down and listen to, the sermons that are forced upon me each day but those I rub shoulders with are spectacular.

What I’m experiencing these days helps me understand why Jesus rarely preached in the temple or synagogue. And the few times he did, somebody got run out with violence: either him or those corrupting the house of prayer.

Rather, Jesus chose to preach while living life. Occasionally he would sit in a boat, or on a hillside and teach. But usually this preaching was in the context of his actions: either feeding people or meeting their physical shortcomings with healing and forgiveness.

Jesus’ most startling and wonderful sermons came while he was walking with his friends through fields or from town to town. Or while sitting at a well where women came to draw water. Or while creating some art in the dirt. Or while drinking and eating with societal rejects.

The imposed pressures and expectations of a “preacher’ that come from the church are so off-base with what Jesus actually did.

And, at least for me, I’ve heard the call to “go and do likewise.”

——

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com
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What is Sacramental Living?

Brian Niece — Thu, 21 May 2009 21:59:21 +0000

“More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress. But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn’t be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them.”

- Henri NouwenRelated Posts:

Why I’m Serving as a Shelter Manager – Part 2

Brian Niece — Tue, 05 May 2009 01:51:51 +0000

I know I’ve promised some upcoming posts focusing on various “Why’s” … but I’m still stuck on this one. Additionally, inspiration has been fleeting and anger and bitterness have been prevalent. I’d rather not write under those conditions. So in the meantime, I’ll continue on this topic.

Tonight has been a doozy of a night at the Shelter. I’ve been dealing with various issues from over the weekend. We’re six men over what our capacity really is. I had to excuse a few guys for showing up drunk. Dealt with a few resident’s personal issues.

But as the evening wore on, I had some wonderful experiences.

I had a conversation with a resident I’ll call “Brandon.” Brandon sat in my office and talked to me about how he sensed I was beleaguered. He asked if I was okay. We talked about the stresses and pressures of this job. We talked about some of the things he witnessed me handle tonight. As I was talking, he said he noticed a gleam in my eye, and he thought I seemed lighter of spirit.

He then said, “You really love this work, don’t you?”

Brandon’s right. I do. Even when the stress is great, the joy is greater.

It wasn’t like that in “church work.” The stress just led to more stress, more discontent from myself and others, more frustration. The joy was sucked right out of me. Go figure.

Also tonight, our AA meeting was interesting. A new resident, I’ll call him “Mitch,” sat in on the meeting. He said that he wasn’t an alcoholic nor addict, but was looking for answers.

Come to find out, Mitch’s wife died from over-drinking a few months ago. He’s an unemployed widower looking to make a new start in Brunswick. He carries a lot of guilt, a lot of hurt, and he doesn’t know what to do.

Wow!

Long story, short … It was incredible to see some of the guys who are admitted addicts / alcoholics so affected by Mitch’s story and life circumstance. They realized the hurt that their addictions can cause.

I was able to speak with Mitch one-on-one a bit later. The conversation was about brokenness and how God constantly works to create beauty out of all kinds of brokenness.

Now, I could preach all kinds of great sermons on these theological points (and I have). But in a parish, the people would absorb it on Sunday then go back out and be the same people they were beforehand.

But here at the Shelter, I’m seeing the sermons lived out, experienced, incarnated.

No wonder there is joy in this!

As a dear friend and fellow sojourner commented to me today, this is “prioritizing the poor over the party.” It may be heresy, as my friend suggested. So be it. I’ll be a heretic and obedient in the way of Christ any day, over against being a well-respected clergyman who rarely sees Jesus at the party.

——

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com
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Bresee and Rejection

Brian Niece — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 03:47:21 +0000

In just over a week, I’ll be joining with friends to celebrate the founding of my tribe. I previously mentioned this.

I’m honing in more on the similarities between my plight and that of my spiritual grandfather, Phineas Bresee.

Bresee was rejected by the establishment of his tribe. His rejection culminated in the formation of a new tribe about 10 years later.

He was rejected because he wanted a Christian life that was not just about words. Bresee not only believed that ministry to the urban poor was important, he intentionally stood with the poor in ruined communities. He and those around him defended the poor, advocated against the injustices that fueled poverty, and developed spaces of belonging and access in which the poor were, not only welcome, but at home.

Bresee and the early Nazarenes challenged social injustices. They urged their church familiy to move from merely preaching a holiness of heart to expressing holiness of life–in the physical, ordinary, and mundane–as solidarity with the disenfranchised. This is in the direct line of my spiritual great-grandfather, John Wesley.

Because of the poor, Bresee called for radical simplicity of church facilities, not only because ostentatious styles were off-putting for the poor, but the sheer cost of unnecessary embellishments were poor stewardship of resources of God’s people. Tithes and offerings should be used to serve the poor, not build impressive structures. Likewise, words, dress, and lifestyle were to be simple … because of the implications for the poor.

Bresee once wrote:

The first miracle after the baptism of the Holy (Spirit) was wrought upon a beggar. It means that the first service of a Holy (Spirit)-baptized church is to the poor; that its ministry is to those who are lowest down; that its gifts are for those who need them the most. As the Spirit was upon Jesus to preach the gospel to the poor, so His Spirit is upon His servants for the same purpose.

And so Bresee was rejected by his church establishment for challenging Christians to live like Jesus. He was rejected for being Jesus to the disenfranchised and seeing Jesus in them. He was rejected for not becoming like the ones who already called themselves Christians. He was rejected for suggesting church resources should be used for something other than maintaining an institution, a building, an flawed paradigm. He was rejected for moving beyond a stale, useless, faith.

Bresee was rejected, just as Jesus was. His primary persecutors were the most “religious” people of his day … as were Bresee’s.

So when I celebrate a centennial marker next week, I’m not celebrating the dawn of yet another schism in the Church universal. I’m not celebrating the founding of a particular tribe in which I happen to be an ordained elder. I’m not celebrating the misguided and failed ways we have exercised the inheritance of our spiritual ancestors.

Instead, I’ll be celebrating a wonderful idea made tangible: preaching the gospel to the poor in word and deed.

SO TELL ME SOMETHING:
Can you identify with the plight of Bresee?

——

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com
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Quotes for the Incarnational Journey

Brian Niece — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:57:37 +0000

My heart’s cry:

To go where healing love is needed, and give it in a way in which it can be received, often means acting in the teeth of our own interests and preferences, even religious interests and preferences. Christ risked his reputation for holiness by healing on the Sabbath; he touched the unclean and dined with the wrong people; he accepted the love and companionship of a sinner (that most wonderful of all remedies for the wounds of sin). He loved with God’s love and so went straight to the point: What can I do to restore my fellow creature and how?

–From The Light of Christ by Evelyn Underhill

SO TELL ME SOMETHING:
How easy or difficult is it for you to be like Christ in these ways?

——

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com
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The Legacy of Bresee

Brian Niece — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 13:57:17 +0000

My tribe will celebrate its founding 100 years ago this October.

Now, I have several aversions to such a “celebration.” Why would we celebrate more schism within the Church? Are we celebrating an institution/organization or a movement of people? Do we even know what our roots are?

Based on my experience (only one of the four ways to live, I know) I don’t think a lot of us know what we will be celebrating.

Here are some quotes from the one we often consider our founder, Phineas F. Bresee:

”Let the Church of the Nazarene be true to its commission; not great and elegant buildings; but to feed the hungry and clothe the naked and wipe away the tears of sorrowing, and gather jewels for His diadem.”

“Our church is a missionary church. It knows no difference between home and foreign fields – in these days all fields are near.”

“We were convinced that houses of worship should be plain and cheap, to save from financial burdens, and that everything should say welcome to the poor…We went in poverty, to give ourselves – and what God might give us – determined to forego provision for the future and old age, in order to see the salvation of God while we were yet here…We would be glad to do much more, yet hundreds of dollars have gone to the poor, with loving ministry of every kind, and with it a way has been opened up to the hearts of men and women, that has been unutterable joy. The gospel comes to a multitude without money and without price, and the poorest of the poor are entitled to a front seat at the Church of the Nazarene.”

Let it sink in … Wait for it … Do you sense something of profound loss, or despair, or grief over what we are juxtaposed with these quotes?

I do. It’s why I’m changing. It’s why I want to give back to the institution that birthed me, formed me, trained me to think and minister in the ways of justice. Though that institution may not think I am in its mold … Take a reality check with Dr. Bresee and you’ll see: Nazarenes (and I am one) have some work to do.

SO TELL ME SOMETHING:
How’s this working for ya?

——

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com
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Relational Giving

Brian Niece — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:22:42 +0000

Been gone for a while. It’s good to be back. Life has been hectic: lots of curveballs thrown our way. It’s been a good exercise in staying flexible (which is a nice way to say “obedient and useful for Christ’s kingdom”).

Some words from Mother Teresa have been haunting me the past few weeks:

Giving needs not be confined to money or material gifts, but I would like more people to give their hands to serve and their hearts to love–to recognise the poor in their own homes, towns, and countries, and to reach out to them in love and compassion.

–from My Life for the Poor

I came across this quote at a time when I and my staff are looking for second jobs because we will not be receiving full salaries beginning in May. It comes at a time when we had hoped to sell a large portion of land the church owns and be debt free. It comes at a time when are church is full of people starting out in the Christian story … people who won’t be able to support a local church with just 10% tithe. It comes at a time when God is certainly moving among us and working through us, but finances absolutely stink.

So, I’m haunted. Haunted by the prospect of fully giving myself and my family to walk in the way of Jesus that loves others and focuses on compassion for the disenfranchised. Haunted by the logistical hoops I jump through weekly and even daily to make sure bills get paid. Haunted by the radical nature of what Jesus is leading me, my family, and Grace Community into.

To give relationally (especially when none of my top strengths are relational strengths) is hard, and scary, and yet so completely necessary and vital for me and all Christ-followers.

I’m noticing how many times Jesus is quoted in scripture as saying “Don’t be afraid.” There’s a reason for that. I’m living it. It’s time to throw out our bread on the waters. It’s time to embrace the radical nature of a gracious God, and live the radical mission of a compassionate Christ.

SO TELL ME SOMETHING:
Are you with me? How will you give relationally?

——

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com
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Truthful Power

Brian Niece — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 12:51:36 +0000

So today the Farm Bill will likely not be reformed in Congress. For all the joining of hands from social progressives and fiscal conservatives over the possibility of reforming this bill, our efforts will likely be defeated.

Why?

As stated on NPR’s Morning Edition large agribusiness interests (lobbyists) are just too strong. The richest 10% of American farmers and farming industries pour millions into congressional campaigns and threaten to oust incumbents over this one issue. All the while, the Farm Bill increases persecution of the poor world-wide and on US soil.

As Christians, we are to speak truth to power. Yet, there comes a time when power must embrace truth and act truthfully. How can our representative form of government be an authentic republic when the “power” entities succumb to threats to their power, rather than embracing truthful ways of living and being even at the expense of their power?

An example of truthful living … I’m a pastor. But God did not call me to be a pastor, rather to preach the gospel (in words and by the way I live my life in community). Now, it could be said that a pastor wields power (though it is ebbing away in our post-Christian society). That power is usually within one’s own faith community. When I am faced with the choice of living and/or speaking truthfully OR clinging to my power of influence and being well-liked, I must choose being truthful … even if that comes at the expense of my “pastor” position. I can always be truthful to the call to preach/live the gospel … though I may sacrifice the “power” of pastoring in order to do it.

Are our politicians called to be truthful representatives that make right choices on behalf of the republic, or are they called to be career politicians that must be powerful members of Congress at all costs?

SO TELL ME:
What power do you sacrifice in order to live truthfully?

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com

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Tags: Farm Bill, agribusiness, persecution, poor, power, truthful

Why Clarity of Mission Is So Important

Brian Niece — Wed, 02 May 2007 21:27:32 +0000

It’s been four years since George W. Bush landed on an aircraft carrier and declared victory in Iraq in front of a banner that said, “Mission Accomplished.” I guess the lingering question is: “What was/is the mission?”

Spoken word artist Steven Connell has teamed up with Robert Greenwald (Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Prices and Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers) to produce a video promoting a contest to decide what should go on that infamous banner.

Watch it first:

Now, think about how absurd it is to cling to a mission that is confusing, undoable, or something worse.

SO TELL ME:
What’s your mission?

SO TELL ME SOMETHING ELSE:
Are you living your mission?

——

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com

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Tags: Iraq, Mission Accomplished, mission, Steven Connell, Robert Greenwald