Actually, it is about 85 hours away - just over 3.5 days - until my family drops me off to go to the airport and I fly to India. I should be packing (and maybe I'll do a little before the night is done), but I am not.
This has been an interesting time of preparation. When I committed to go on the trip, I was so uncertain about being able to raise the funds I needed to be able to go. Needless to say, I have been provided for. Just this week several folks have come out of the wood work and surprised me with needed funds to finish out my commitment financially for the trip. Likewise, a few months back, I had a visit with immigration in Canada while I was traveling, so when I went to get my visa for my trip to India, I expected to have issues...but I didn't, the way was made clear. When I began to prepare my material for my teaching times, I thought I was way over preparing, but now another member of the team may not be able to make it because of visa delays due to back to back trips and I see that I am more than prepared to help take on additional teaching responsibilities should that become necessary. Lack has been replaced with provision, doubt with faith, and fear with peace (at least as far as the trip is concerned...nobody is perfect).
Today I visited with several folks that have been battling illness (add Pre-trip health to my growing list of blessings) and I have been caused to think about the healthcare situation in India. With a population of more than 1.2 billion people and home to some of the largest poorest slums in the world, to say that India has a healthcare issue would be an understatement. From malnutrition to typhoid, malaria to hepatitis (especially types A and B), the list of issues far surmounts the resources necessary to provide for all those needs.
I do know that there are doctors (at least a couple from the states) that have moved to India to provide ongoing help to so many in need. But from the outside looking in, it appears to me to be little more than a pebble sized ripple in an ocean of need.
I think about the blessing of having insurance and being able to see the doctors I want and need to see and then I remember that even here in the states there are millions that are uninsured or under insured and unable to get the healthcare and treatment they need.
Whether India or the United States (or anywhere else in the world), too many people are not getting the help that they need...help that is available, just cost prohibited. Here are the questions that this situation is bringing up for me: 1) if we believe in the sanctity of life, why don't we provide healthcare in equitable ways? 2) is it even possible in the current world economic order to accomplish this? 3) if so, how? 4) if so, why don't we? And finally, what is our theological responsibility (or put maybe a better way, what is our responsibility in carrying out the healing ministries of the kingdom of God in doing
so)?
Again, I have no answers. I will try to give some more theological thought and substance to my thinking during and after my trip to India; but in the mean time, I invite you to share your thoughts and answers.
Showing posts with label Do No Harm. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Do No Harm. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Thursday, September 25, 2008
What does it mean to do Missions?
I have several friends that work for YWAM (Youth With A Mission) around the country. I have many more friends that are committed to and participate in missions in our country and around the world. I too, am involved in missions. So needless to say, I am having to stop and ponder once again what it means to do missions in light of recent news.
This week, ABC aired a story about YWAM fighting against infanticide in the jungles of Brazil. You can read their brief write up and watch their video here. Likewise, YWAM published an article from their vantage point and you can view that article here.
Personally, I don't have any problems with the YWAM missionaries that live in Brazil and adopted the children that had medical or other issues that would have faced certain death had the missionaries not intervened...for me it is a sanctity of life issue and a no-brainer as far as decisions go. (feel free to offer your own thoughts on this)
What made me really stop and ponder, however, is the undertones of culture clash that run through the ABC account of the story. As a Christian, I have no issue with sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with those we encounter...but the question becomes how much of what we do is "Christian" and how much of what we do is "Westernization"?
For example, we want to feed those that are in need of food. Let's say that an indigenous tribe is a hunting and gathering tribe. Does that mean as Christians practicing our faith that we are called to deliver food that is grown elsewhere to them? Are we called to help them with better instruments for hunting and gathering? Are we called to change them into an agricultural tribe that is no longer nomadic? Or are we called to work to maintain natural habitats to where they have enough area to hunt and gather to support themselves? Are we to do this without uttering the name of Jesus? Which of the aforementioned choices is most Christ centered?
In order for someone to understand and receive the good news is it necessary that their culture be changed as well?
Surely providing clean drinking water, food, clothing, shelter, etc are good things. Surely advocating for the lives of children...looking out for the orphan, the widow, and the others that are marginalized is what we are called to do. Surely these are the things that the gospel calls us to do. But at what cost? Must culture be changed in order for the gospel to be received?
These are just some of the thoughts that run through my mind. In the background I can hear Niebuhr's writings running around in circles screaming...is it Christ the transformer of culture (surely this is preached with great frequency), or is it Christ above culture (surely this is preached with equal fervency), or is it Christ of Culture (yes there are proponents here as well)...AHHHHH!!!!!
I am curious, what do you think? How do we do missions in such a way that allows us to fulfill our mission (Great Commission---go forth and make disciples of all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), while doing all the good that we can and doing no harm (which means we have to decide if changing culture is doing harm or not)?
This week, ABC aired a story about YWAM fighting against infanticide in the jungles of Brazil. You can read their brief write up and watch their video here. Likewise, YWAM published an article from their vantage point and you can view that article here.
Personally, I don't have any problems with the YWAM missionaries that live in Brazil and adopted the children that had medical or other issues that would have faced certain death had the missionaries not intervened...for me it is a sanctity of life issue and a no-brainer as far as decisions go. (feel free to offer your own thoughts on this)
What made me really stop and ponder, however, is the undertones of culture clash that run through the ABC account of the story. As a Christian, I have no issue with sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with those we encounter...but the question becomes how much of what we do is "Christian" and how much of what we do is "Westernization"?
For example, we want to feed those that are in need of food. Let's say that an indigenous tribe is a hunting and gathering tribe. Does that mean as Christians practicing our faith that we are called to deliver food that is grown elsewhere to them? Are we called to help them with better instruments for hunting and gathering? Are we called to change them into an agricultural tribe that is no longer nomadic? Or are we called to work to maintain natural habitats to where they have enough area to hunt and gather to support themselves? Are we to do this without uttering the name of Jesus? Which of the aforementioned choices is most Christ centered?
In order for someone to understand and receive the good news is it necessary that their culture be changed as well?
Surely providing clean drinking water, food, clothing, shelter, etc are good things. Surely advocating for the lives of children...looking out for the orphan, the widow, and the others that are marginalized is what we are called to do. Surely these are the things that the gospel calls us to do. But at what cost? Must culture be changed in order for the gospel to be received?
These are just some of the thoughts that run through my mind. In the background I can hear Niebuhr's writings running around in circles screaming...is it Christ the transformer of culture (surely this is preached with great frequency), or is it Christ above culture (surely this is preached with equal fervency), or is it Christ of Culture (yes there are proponents here as well)...AHHHHH!!!!!
I am curious, what do you think? How do we do missions in such a way that allows us to fulfill our mission (Great Commission---go forth and make disciples of all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), while doing all the good that we can and doing no harm (which means we have to decide if changing culture is doing harm or not)?
Sunday, July 27, 2008
When Harm is Unavoidable
As my profile says, I am a firefighter (and soon to be a certified first responder) and a pastor. I also volunteer each week at a place called Sundown Ranch working with teenage boys that are attempting to find recovery from chemical dependence of all types.
Each of these activities places me in people's lives at times when they are often not at their best. I walk along side of those struggling with sin, experiencing medical problems or other loss due to fire and accidents, and I walk the journey of recovery with families and their children. Despite the problems that can be faced in each of these situations, it is still a huge blessing to serve in these ways.
Each of these activities has either an explicit or implicit nature of confidentiality. These activities also have, however, regulations regarding events or circumstances that must be reported to various agencies (medical, legal and otherwise). Homicide, suicide, abuse, etc are all examples of reportable events.
This past week, I had the difficult duty of reporting such an event.
When the General Rules require us to do no harm and to do good, these are not always mutually exclusive. Nor are they mutually compatible. Sometimes, as my recent experience shows, doing good can be harmful (or maybe that should be restated to say doing the greatest good). In order to do good, I needed to report this incident (this is doing good ethically and morally and doing good by protecting others); but in doing said good, I did harm (in a relative sense I am sure some of you will tell me!) to the individual that was reported. The outcome of what happens regarding a reported event (punishment, justice, or sometimes nothing at all) is completely out of my control. But confidence is still broken and trust tarnished and potential consequences set in motion.
All of this is to say that following the General Rules is not as black and white as it may seem. There are not always cut and dry answers regarding how to put them in practice together. Sometimes, when considering the greatest good or the good of others, doing no harm is not possible.
How do you handle situations that seem to put the General Rules in conflict with one another?
Each of these activities places me in people's lives at times when they are often not at their best. I walk along side of those struggling with sin, experiencing medical problems or other loss due to fire and accidents, and I walk the journey of recovery with families and their children. Despite the problems that can be faced in each of these situations, it is still a huge blessing to serve in these ways.
Each of these activities has either an explicit or implicit nature of confidentiality. These activities also have, however, regulations regarding events or circumstances that must be reported to various agencies (medical, legal and otherwise). Homicide, suicide, abuse, etc are all examples of reportable events.
This past week, I had the difficult duty of reporting such an event.
When the General Rules require us to do no harm and to do good, these are not always mutually exclusive. Nor are they mutually compatible. Sometimes, as my recent experience shows, doing good can be harmful (or maybe that should be restated to say doing the greatest good). In order to do good, I needed to report this incident (this is doing good ethically and morally and doing good by protecting others); but in doing said good, I did harm (in a relative sense I am sure some of you will tell me!) to the individual that was reported. The outcome of what happens regarding a reported event (punishment, justice, or sometimes nothing at all) is completely out of my control. But confidence is still broken and trust tarnished and potential consequences set in motion.
All of this is to say that following the General Rules is not as black and white as it may seem. There are not always cut and dry answers regarding how to put them in practice together. Sometimes, when considering the greatest good or the good of others, doing no harm is not possible.
How do you handle situations that seem to put the General Rules in conflict with one another?
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Doing No Harm - The Follow Up
Last week I wrote about a situation that talked about expectations and what to do when those expectations aren't met.
I had some sound wisdom come from my friend at Just Enough Grace for Today and thought I would just follow up with how I handled the situation.
First, I prayed...I prayed for several days before I even sat down to write out my responses.
Second, I sought wise council. Limiting my conversation to just a couple of people that I trust immensely, I advised them of the situation and asked for their input.
Third, I listened. This is perhaps the most difficult of the steps, but I truly listened to what they had to say and incorporated the feedback into the process that follows.
Fourth, I wrote. Because this was a contractual issue and communication was being done via email, it was imperative that I didn't begin with this step. Had I started writing (which is what I wanted to do...yes, even though I knew better...to begin with) first, the results would have been dramatically different and caused harm.
Fifth, I left what I had written alone for a day.
Sixth, I went back and edited the communication piece for both content and size. I was intentional about being clear with what I had expected in the beginning and where the current circumstance had fallen short of those expectations. I didn't use pejorative terms or attack the individual. Instead, I remained professional. At the end of the document I outlined my expectations for the future of our interactions.
The result was a lively, but professional, response and the opportunity for continuing dialog both via email and in person. No hard feelings, no additional harm done, at least to date :o)
Sometimes it is better for everyone involved to take a few deep breaths and think and pray before moving forward. I have not always succeeded in doing this.
I think the only thing that I would add to the list of things that I did would be to get someone else to proof what was written before it was sent.
Are there things that you would do differently?
I had some sound wisdom come from my friend at Just Enough Grace for Today and thought I would just follow up with how I handled the situation.
First, I prayed...I prayed for several days before I even sat down to write out my responses.
Second, I sought wise council. Limiting my conversation to just a couple of people that I trust immensely, I advised them of the situation and asked for their input.
Third, I listened. This is perhaps the most difficult of the steps, but I truly listened to what they had to say and incorporated the feedback into the process that follows.
Fourth, I wrote. Because this was a contractual issue and communication was being done via email, it was imperative that I didn't begin with this step. Had I started writing (which is what I wanted to do...yes, even though I knew better...to begin with) first, the results would have been dramatically different and caused harm.
Fifth, I left what I had written alone for a day.
Sixth, I went back and edited the communication piece for both content and size. I was intentional about being clear with what I had expected in the beginning and where the current circumstance had fallen short of those expectations. I didn't use pejorative terms or attack the individual. Instead, I remained professional. At the end of the document I outlined my expectations for the future of our interactions.
The result was a lively, but professional, response and the opportunity for continuing dialog both via email and in person. No hard feelings, no additional harm done, at least to date :o)
Sometimes it is better for everyone involved to take a few deep breaths and think and pray before moving forward. I have not always succeeded in doing this.
I think the only thing that I would add to the list of things that I did would be to get someone else to proof what was written before it was sent.
Are there things that you would do differently?
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Doing No Harm
Doing no harm is more difficult than it seems sometimes!
There are situations that I am sure we all encounter, where the very first thought or easiest course of action is to lash out at the individuals that are involved. Obviously, anger is not the best way to react or interact with anyone...it is harmful (violating both the first and second General Rules) and gets us absolutely nowhere.
So what do you do in situations where expectations aren't met? Is it different if the situation involves a contract between you and someone else? What do you think are some good guidelines for doing no harm in these type situations?
Let me have all of your non-harmful conflict resolution thoughts!
Peace,
Russell
There are situations that I am sure we all encounter, where the very first thought or easiest course of action is to lash out at the individuals that are involved. Obviously, anger is not the best way to react or interact with anyone...it is harmful (violating both the first and second General Rules) and gets us absolutely nowhere.
So what do you do in situations where expectations aren't met? Is it different if the situation involves a contract between you and someone else? What do you think are some good guidelines for doing no harm in these type situations?
Let me have all of your non-harmful conflict resolution thoughts!
Peace,
Russell
Doing Good in Our Family
My wife and I were over at church recently for an evangelism meeting. In the course of pre-meeting conversation, time off/days off came into play. I boldly stated (erroneously, I might add) that I take time off. My wife, being one of the greatest accountability partners I have, promptly said out loud something along the lines of "no you don't."
As the conversation continued, she recognized that at times I do take time for myself, but when there are big projects happening, I do a very poor job of this. For example, when we were developing the new website for the church, I spent every possible moment writing code, playing with widgets, testing applications, etc. I worked on it during the day, before dinner, after dinner, on days off...you get the point. I was completely engulfed in the project at the expense of time with my family.
My wife, as usual, was very right. I do not always do a very good job of taking care of myself (or them) by taking my days off as days off. Sometimes this is difficult to do because we live in the parsonage (basically in the church parking lot) and when you live that close to the church, it can be difficult some days to get away from "work".
It can also be difficult because as pastors, some of what we do we consider 'volunteer' work for the church. In other words, if we had another job, we would still be doing some of the things for the church that we are doing, even if we were not on staff. So pastorally speaking, it can be blurry what is volunteer ministry and what is 'work' related ministry (I am still not convinced that there is a clear line). Additionally, I have spent the last 3 years working on my Mdiv degree and taking 12 hours in the spring and 12 in the fall. This is insane I know, but going to school full time, pastoring two churches, and having a family is tough to do with only 24 hours in the day. Unfortunately, with most of the folks that I know, family is always (just as in my case) what seems to suffer the most.
Well, part of doing good has to be doing good towards our families (going back to the living the General Rules). So in an effort to correct this in my life, my wife and I made plans for time in Dallas last weekend (we went in to be with our friend Stacey and her girls...her hubby was out of town on a mission trip) and this weekend we are going to go to the lake with my folks on Saturday.
I have to admit, when I run so hard that I run around my family, I am the one missing out. Not to mention that it is nice to unplug occasionally and just be. Taking time off and away this past week has reminded me just how important it is to me, my family and my ministry.
My future plans for doing good regarding the family (or an application of doing no harm and doing good) is as follows:
1) take my days off as a days off
2) except on nights where there are unavoidable church meetings, spend the hours between 5:30 and 8:00 p.m. with them (if there is something that absolutely has to be done, do it after Bailey has gone to bed and I have hung out with her and Erica).
3) Find babysitters and get back into a regular pattern of date night on Friday evenings
4) Start planning the family camping trip for November
5) continue to be in the cooking rotation (more about this in another post)
I would love to hear how you are balancing family, ministry, work, etc in your life!
Peace,
Russell
As the conversation continued, she recognized that at times I do take time for myself, but when there are big projects happening, I do a very poor job of this. For example, when we were developing the new website for the church, I spent every possible moment writing code, playing with widgets, testing applications, etc. I worked on it during the day, before dinner, after dinner, on days off...you get the point. I was completely engulfed in the project at the expense of time with my family.
My wife, as usual, was very right. I do not always do a very good job of taking care of myself (or them) by taking my days off as days off. Sometimes this is difficult to do because we live in the parsonage (basically in the church parking lot) and when you live that close to the church, it can be difficult some days to get away from "work".
It can also be difficult because as pastors, some of what we do we consider 'volunteer' work for the church. In other words, if we had another job, we would still be doing some of the things for the church that we are doing, even if we were not on staff. So pastorally speaking, it can be blurry what is volunteer ministry and what is 'work' related ministry (I am still not convinced that there is a clear line). Additionally, I have spent the last 3 years working on my Mdiv degree and taking 12 hours in the spring and 12 in the fall. This is insane I know, but going to school full time, pastoring two churches, and having a family is tough to do with only 24 hours in the day. Unfortunately, with most of the folks that I know, family is always (just as in my case) what seems to suffer the most.
Well, part of doing good has to be doing good towards our families (going back to the living the General Rules). So in an effort to correct this in my life, my wife and I made plans for time in Dallas last weekend (we went in to be with our friend Stacey and her girls...her hubby was out of town on a mission trip) and this weekend we are going to go to the lake with my folks on Saturday.
I have to admit, when I run so hard that I run around my family, I am the one missing out. Not to mention that it is nice to unplug occasionally and just be. Taking time off and away this past week has reminded me just how important it is to me, my family and my ministry.
My future plans for doing good regarding the family (or an application of doing no harm and doing good) is as follows:
1) take my days off as a days off
2) except on nights where there are unavoidable church meetings, spend the hours between 5:30 and 8:00 p.m. with them (if there is something that absolutely has to be done, do it after Bailey has gone to bed and I have hung out with her and Erica).
3) Find babysitters and get back into a regular pattern of date night on Friday evenings
4) Start planning the family camping trip for November
5) continue to be in the cooking rotation (more about this in another post)
I would love to hear how you are balancing family, ministry, work, etc in your life!
Peace,
Russell
Monday, July 14, 2008
Living the General Rules
One of my friends and mentors, Bob, recently set out upon an experiment to live out more fervently the General Rules from the early Methodist Societies. I have been watching and reading his blog posts (and the insights by another friend of mine, Melissa) with great interest and if you would like to follow his journey, you can do that by clicking HERE which will take you to the opening article on his blog and you can follow from there.
I am looking at going for commissioning (a final step prior to full ordination in the United Methodist Church) at our 2009 Annual Conference. As Bob mentions, the bishop asks us what the General Rules are and if we will live by them. The answer to the latter question is obviously yes, but the answer to the former question is this:
1) "Do no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind..."
2) "...doing good of every possible sort, and , as far as possible, to all..."
3) "By attending upon all the ordinances of God" (Bob calls this "staying in love with God")
These three simple rules flowed out of John Wesley's understanding that "evangelical faith should be manifest in evangelical living." (2004 Book of Discipline, 48). And it seems to me that as I stand before folks every Sunday-teaching, preaching, exhorting, encouraging, etc-to live a life that encounters and becomes radically altered by God, I am no less called to do the same. It also occurs to me that since I am about to take a further step towards a lifetime of mission and ministry in the world as an ordained elder within the United Methodist Church, I too, should be paying particular attention to the commitment that I give to these rules.
So as of today, in addition to my thoughts on theology and other meanderings here at Radically Altered, I am going to begin writing about my journey as it relates to these three rules. Future posts that involve these three rules will all be tagged with Living the General Rules and then sub tagged with which ever rule applies to that post (ie. do no harm, doing good, attending upon the ordinances of God).
My hope is not to make a move towards legalism, but rather to have a rule of life that helps shape and form me as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Many monastic communities and corporate bodies of worship utilize rules of life for their congregations and as individuals...so I thought that I would give it a whirl!
As I set out on this journey, I wonder if you have a rule of life that you are living by? If so, what is it and how is it shaping you as a disciple of Jesus Christ? If not, what prevents you from embarking on such a journey?
I look forward to your comments!
Russell
I am looking at going for commissioning (a final step prior to full ordination in the United Methodist Church) at our 2009 Annual Conference. As Bob mentions, the bishop asks us what the General Rules are and if we will live by them. The answer to the latter question is obviously yes, but the answer to the former question is this:
1) "Do no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind..."
2) "...doing good of every possible sort, and , as far as possible, to all..."
3) "By attending upon all the ordinances of God" (Bob calls this "staying in love with God")
These three simple rules flowed out of John Wesley's understanding that "evangelical faith should be manifest in evangelical living." (2004 Book of Discipline, 48). And it seems to me that as I stand before folks every Sunday-teaching, preaching, exhorting, encouraging, etc-to live a life that encounters and becomes radically altered by God, I am no less called to do the same. It also occurs to me that since I am about to take a further step towards a lifetime of mission and ministry in the world as an ordained elder within the United Methodist Church, I too, should be paying particular attention to the commitment that I give to these rules.
So as of today, in addition to my thoughts on theology and other meanderings here at Radically Altered, I am going to begin writing about my journey as it relates to these three rules. Future posts that involve these three rules will all be tagged with Living the General Rules and then sub tagged with which ever rule applies to that post (ie. do no harm, doing good, attending upon the ordinances of God).
My hope is not to make a move towards legalism, but rather to have a rule of life that helps shape and form me as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Many monastic communities and corporate bodies of worship utilize rules of life for their congregations and as individuals...so I thought that I would give it a whirl!
As I set out on this journey, I wonder if you have a rule of life that you are living by? If so, what is it and how is it shaping you as a disciple of Jesus Christ? If not, what prevents you from embarking on such a journey?
I look forward to your comments!
Russell
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