This continues my series on why I'm running the 5K in the River Bank Run this weekend: to support the ministry of New City Neighbors. Today is the last in the series. Tomorrow we run!
Reason 5: New City Neighbors is a faithful presence for Jesus
Christians often get caught up in delusions of grandeur. We want to "transform culture" or "change the world!" In essence, we want to be superheroes for Jesus, assuming that God must be thanking his lucky stars that we're on his side. But our focus should not be on what we can or must do; the focus should be on faithfully pointing to Jesus. When we do that, we actually make more of a difference than if our main goal is "to make a difference." This is why "faithful presence" is better than "changing the world." Changing the world focuses on what we do and places the burden on us; faithful presence focuses on what God does and calls us to let God work through us.
When I look at New City Neighbors, I see staff and volunteers who are not trying to be superheroes for Jesus but who are dedicated to being a faithful presence that points to Jesus. I see people who are committed to a neighborhood, to people, and to a place. I see people who are committed to the day-in, day-out, long-term kind of faithfulness that imitates God's own faithfulness to us.
To hear more about how NCN functions as a faithful presence, you can read past newsletters. To support NCN in their mission of being a faithful presence, simply go to Crowdrise and click on the "donate" box. If you'd like to send a support check, send it to:
New City Neighbors
1226 Union Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Or if you'd like to pledge now and pay later, simply send me an email at bparler@kuyper.edu with the amount you'd like to pledge.
Thanks for your support!
Reason 5: New City Neighbors is a faithful presence for Jesus
Christians often get caught up in delusions of grandeur. We want to "transform culture" or "change the world!" In essence, we want to be superheroes for Jesus, assuming that God must be thanking his lucky stars that we're on his side. But our focus should not be on what we can or must do; the focus should be on faithfully pointing to Jesus. When we do that, we actually make more of a difference than if our main goal is "to make a difference." This is why "faithful presence" is better than "changing the world." Changing the world focuses on what we do and places the burden on us; faithful presence focuses on what God does and calls us to let God work through us.
When I look at New City Neighbors, I see staff and volunteers who are not trying to be superheroes for Jesus but who are dedicated to being a faithful presence that points to Jesus. I see people who are committed to a neighborhood, to people, and to a place. I see people who are committed to the day-in, day-out, long-term kind of faithfulness that imitates God's own faithfulness to us.
To hear more about how NCN functions as a faithful presence, you can read past newsletters. To support NCN in their mission of being a faithful presence, simply go to Crowdrise and click on the "donate" box. If you'd like to send a support check, send it to:
New City Neighbors
1226 Union Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Or if you'd like to pledge now and pay later, simply send me an email at bparler@kuyper.edu with the amount you'd like to pledge.
Thanks for your support!
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