Politically Correct Too!

I have been challenged by Commissioner Adams recent article "Politically Correct". How inspiring! (see http://insight.salvationarmy.org.uk/politically-correct )

The Commissioner, in my humble opinion, comes out fighting with regards the current and complex situation regarding the overly bureaucratic and sometimes compassionless funding situation for people who are homeless.  The call to justice is refreshing and challenging and has attracted a great deal of positive comments.  I stand behind the Commissioners views and indeed many of the subsequent comments demonstrate that we are so relieved and inspired to hear a leader speak out on an issue close to many our hearts.  Thank you Commissioner Adams for leading by example.

But I also had another thought.  When I headed up a department at our UK headquarters, we were building new hostels (or Lifehouses) for people who are homeless.  Nice, beautiful and modern accommodation. Places that represent care, dignity and hope.  Yet, you would rarely find a Salvationist in them - that would be a real message of care, dignity and hope.  We protest (rightly!) about the current situation and the political agendas but how many of us are actually involved or engaged in our homeless ministry.  The problem is not just the government – the problem is also me.  Until I moved to Kenya last year, I lived for two years near to a great hostel which was situated in Braintree. Did I ever go near it? No I did not! There’s the problem. 

Come on Salvation Army – we can do better. If we want the some of the beds from our local Lifehouses not to be subject to the clearly ridiculous government funding rules, how many of us would be prepared to give more to our church, of which the homeless ministry is part.  How many of us would be willing to roll up our sleeves and “do something”, in order to free up professional staff time to support some of the people Commissioner Adams speaks up for. How many of us even know the staff who work in our homeless centres? So do we have any right to criticize the government when most Salvationists are not really supporting the homeless ministry? Sure some are, most aren’t. Ask you local SA Centre Manager to get the local picture.

Gary Hagen, President of the International Justice Mission stresses this point when he writes this about justice… “When governments and those whom God has placed in positions of power fail to protect those who are weak, God looks to his people to be his voice of judgment and his hands of rescue”. So we can make our proclamations and I, for one, am proud that the Commissioner has spoken up for the oppressed but do we express our indignation from the sidelines or we can team up together as an Army to use the resources, skills and relationships we have to serve those who need us most. We need to be that voice, we also need to the hands of rescue. What a double whammy message that would send to the govt. Just saying!