I was speaking with a friend of mine about ministering to homeless individuals. A church crowd appeared to have some great intentions of feeding people on the side of the road. Why not bring a van load of sandwiches to hungry people living on the streets?
As I thought about these ideas and remarks, I noticed that some of our ministry ideas benefit ourselves more than they benefit those we are attempting to help. For example, when you are standing by a van filled with sandwiches, you have already set yourself apart from the community you are trying to reach. Though feeding those in need is an admirable task and may prove to be beneficial for a meal or two, it does not get at the heart of the need. My husband recounted a story he read about some men passing a woman on the side of the road. Like others before them, the well intentioned men offered her a sandwich to eat. Looking at her bare feet, she mentioned that she had no shoes to wear. She then asked what made them think that the sandwich would help her feet? They neglected to find out the woman’s most pressing need. In a spirit of humility the man removed his shoes and put them on the woman’s feet. Neither my husband or I know what the outcome of the story was (I hope that I retold it correctly), but the point was clear. Even when we are well intentioned ministers, we need to ask questions to find out more about those whom we are trying to serve.
So, I asked myself how we could get to know homeless individuals better. How could we find out their most pressing needs and meet them? I am not a fan of “fast food” ministry. This is the type of ministry where a person commits to passing out water bottles or meals, neglecting to spend any real quality time with individuals. I am not saying that we should not pass out food and water; rather, I am saying that it needs to be more than that. There needs to be more of a commitment than a once a month mass food distribution, where we receive the warm fuzzy feeling that we did our part.
It is easy for us to eat our meal, then drive out to a park and feed others. When someone comes to the van reeking of sweat, dirt, and filth from shower-less months and flashes a distorted smile of decaying teeth, it is much easier to pass him a meal and wish him well, than it is to sit down to a meal with him. (I do not pretend to suggest that this is the normal condition or image of homeless individuals.) Imagine sitting at a table with someone like this. If you invite a person to dinner, he is your guest. When you are seated at the table, it does not matter who bought the food or who prepared it… you all come to the table as equals. At least this is how it should be. When you level the playing field by becoming equals, it begins to create a candid environment where people can learn more about one another and form a community. Sure, you may be uncomfortable, but imagine how the individual on the other end feels. This level of discomfort on each side may contribute to securing community. As you begin to learn more about one another, a bond will form. How great could that be? Now you can learn about that specific individual’s needs and meet them, then you can find that individual again later and see how he is doing.
If everyone took the time to simply commit to minister to one other person, how great would that be? Yes, we should send money to ministries to help in time of devastation, and we should spend time ministering to the masses. Even so, it is far easier to minister to many on a disengaged level than it is to minister to an individual on a personal level that may push you outside your comfort zone. I do not pretend to think that this is something that I am able to do yet. I think that my pride stands in the way too often. I need to learn to humble myself the way Jesus did and wash the feet of others.
I don’t think that everyone is called to the same kind of ministry or to minister to everyone. If this were the case, others would be neglected or we would do a lot of things at a mediocre level at best. But if everyone really had a heart to minister in a particular area, why not set aside the “fast food” version of ministry and dive into a three course meal?