Good stuff from Andy Rowell. The link for his article is HERE.
A pastor's advice for people with passion and expertise in social work
1. Use your expertise to help us serve people. Because we are new at this, we are trying to reinvent the wheel. Help us put systems in place that treat people with dignity. Help us tear down systems that dehumanize people. Let us disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed.
2. Learn to think theologically. Ask questions of your Bible in community. Learn what these terms mean: Church, Missional, Community, Incarnation, Kingdom.
3. Do not get caught with a cause. Did Jesus just heal people? Did he just do compassion? No, he also taught and trained.
4. Be a prophet. Forth-tell the truth about how people are getting hurt. You see it. Say it. Admit that emperor has no clothes.
5. Begin to think of your social work as evangelism. Evangelism usually means manipulation. Shouldn’t it mean that the good news is “is good for everyone” (John Ortberg)?
6. Don’t get caught without Jesus. Traditional liberal social gospel has often dismissed the Bible and God’s active presence in the world.
7. Study hard. If you know something about caring for alcoholics, God will use you as a wise advisor. You will help the church care for alcoholics more compassionately and effectively.
8. Learn to tell stories. Describe the situation, retell the dialogue, and give a reason for the hope that you have.
9. Bring people with you as you serve. Show us the dark alleys. Help us to talk with the poor, the sick and the foreigner.
10. Continue to be renewed spiritually. Learn what Sabbath is. Sabbath is about not being in slavery anymore.
11. Understand the beauty of art. Please don’t pinch pennies on beauty. We need color.
12. Do not demonize business people.
13. Learn to eat with people.
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