People matter

This afternoon we had the 10th anniversary of JFON at our church (Justice For Our Neighbors). For 10 years immigrants have been able to get free, high-quality, legal assistance thru the ministry of JFON. Over the course of that time, over 2,000 people have been helped. We heard 2 stories today from immigrants who've benefitted from these services--they were incredible examples of how the Church meets needs, often behind the scenes. I have only been at this church for 10 mos., but I am damn proud of JFON! Their caring staff (which includes an attorney, an office staffperson, and a volunteer coordinator) make a difference in people's lives with hospitality, friendliness, compassion, and dignity. It is truly amazing to see how lives are transformed thru JFON.

Sadly, and sometimes in the eyes of the institution, these kinds of ministries sometimes do not matter because they do not bring in money to the church or they are not "one of us." This is an indictment of how the institution often gets in the way of ministry just by some aspects of its raison d'etre, i.e. to bring in more members and money (the 2 are usually closely, if not intricately, related). But after today, I know that what really matters in this stuff we call church is people. People matter. Seeing lives transformed matters. Building relationships matter. Hearing stories of people overcoming tremendous difficulties and getting their status or citizenship matters to each one of them. And it should matter to the church.

I continue to be cynical about the current state of affairs of the institutional church in which I am embedded. Days like today help me remain a "loyal oppositionist." I am loyal to remaining in the institution (often in spite of itself) but I am at the same time opposed to the ways the church continues to exclude, limit, categorize, or ignore.

Stanley Hauerwas once said, "God is killing the church and we goddamn well deserve it" (he responded to detractors to this statement with: "at least I used God's name twice!"). Today I witnessed the church alive and well but not in the ways that count. But everyone of these people--and countless others--matter, and matter greatly! So be it.