The mission in our neighbourhoods or social ministry across town can be reframed when we recognize that friendship and love belong at the heart of every Christian ministry and act of reconciliation. Reconciliation requires friendship wherever we find ourselves. Friendships across the divisions of class, education, race, gender, ethnicity, age, and ability are crucial for reconciliation and for the life of the church. A focus on friendship rearranges our assumptions. What if the resources they have also met our needs? What if Jesus is already present in ways that will minister to us? What if, in sharing life together as friends, we all move closer to Jesus’ heart?
Life-giving ministry flows from lives that are full of gratitude to God, not with an expectation of gratitude from others. In community, we can support one another, affirm contributions, and trust that our work is sustained by grace. Real friendship involves movement in and out of one another’s worlds, but our privileged location and busyness often make us inaccessible to friendships with people outside our world. Sometimes, we don’t even see possible friends, though not far away or distant from us by class, illness status or capacity.
Putting ourselves in places where people on the margins can find us involved, slowing down, taking time to be where people can befriend us and taking risks to be dependent on the kindness of strangers. Within our churches, there are often opportunities for friendships across multiple boundaries if we would just notice them. We can also partner with others in ministries that are built on and open to relationships, particularly relationships that can become long-term friendships.
So, the goal in my life is to be relational. To extend dignity and respect across diversity. To resist and call others to resist is harder than it seems. To be holistically concerned for the whole person not just fixated on a presenting issue. To embody generous spaciousness and encourage hospitality at all times.
~ Susan Brandt, OIM follower and Founder
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