Recently, a representative from a secular organization working to address poverty approached Felton Bible Church asking to use the church’s facility space in order to host a community meeting. The individual who came was courteous and respectful, and the request was certainly reasonable. Unfortunately, the organization he represented was not one with whom FBC could partner, even through something as seemingly benign as allowing the use of our space. Below is FBC’s response to the request (with names redacted, so as not to make this post inflammatory or otherwise inappropriate):
January 7, 2019
NAME,
Thank you for stopping by yesterday morning at Felton Bible Church. You are welcome anytime. Thank you also for the question about using our space for a meeting of the ORGANIZATION. Unfortunately, we cannot offer our space as a meeting place for the ORGANIZATION’s gathering in Felton. I apologize in advance for the length of this response. What follows is my effort to respect you and your request by giving a thoughtful and considered answer.
At the outset, let me affirm what I see as our areas of common concern, and common cause. First, we share a common concern for the flourishing of human life and human community. Poverty – especially poverty that results from systematic injustices and exploitation – is a pernicious blight on our society. Like you, we share a concern to see such poverty addressed. Like you, and even through your efforts, we are challenged to consider how we should be part of working to encounter and address poverty.
Second, we share the ORGANIZATION’s emphasis on morality. We applaud the choice to frame such an effort in moral terms, taking seriously words like “good” and “evil.” Doing so evidences a commendable sensitivity to core issues.
But, beyond these areas of common concern, FBC’s understanding of the world, its problems, and the solution to those problems is markedly different than the ORGANIZATION. Our differences are substantial; substantial enough that we cannot make common cause with the ORGANIZATION itself. Let me see if I can explain by first briefly describing the Gospel, and then by describing our view of the common concerns noted above – poverty and morality:
The Gospel – At Felton Bible Church, we give ourselves to the worship of God who made all people; God whose being, character, purposes, and work are revealed to us, and for us, in the Bible. The Bible’s testimony is one of God’s gracious and loving work to free human beings from the terrible consequence of our sin; our rebellion against him. That consequence is, ultimately, impending judgment in Hell, the very definition of “death.” God accomplished this work by sending his Son, Jesus Christ – who was God himself born as a human being – to live the life of perfect obedience we cannot live, and to die on a Roman cross to pay the debt of sin we cannot pay. This account of God and his work of love on our behalf we know as “The Gospel,” or “good news.” Felton Bible Church exists to enjoy God in love by worshipping him. We exist to share the Gospel with all who will hear, inviting them into a life of following and worshipping Jesus Christ. This is what makes us “Christians.”
Poverty – Now, poverty (as we understand it), and especially poverty that stems from systemic injustice and the exploitation of others, is first and foremost an issue of sin. This does not mean that all poor people are poor because they are sinners. Not at all! Rather, poverty arises because we live in a world broken by sin, inhabited by people enslaved to sin and Satan. Indeed, we who follow Christ are nothing more (nor less) than former slaves rescued by Jesus from bondage to our own sin – to its presence in our lives; to its consequences, now and in eternity; and to the first sinner, namely Satan. Therefore, we view the “fight” against poverty as a matter of Gospel work. It is a matter of introducing people to the God who created them, who loves them in Jesus Christ, and who offers them the blessing of being his child. This work includes demonstrating that love in tangible ways, by doing what we can to address physical realities and physical needs in this life now.
Morality – Let me borrow from my online Webster’s dictionary by defining “morality” as “conformity to ideals of right human conduct.” Morality is the decision, the choice, the effort to do what is right, and reject what is wrong. Our ability to talk in moral terms depends on the reality of truth; truth that defines that which is “right” and that which is “wrong,” that which is “good” and that which is “bad.” There can be no such thing as “morality” apart from “truth.” Among the members of Felton Bible Church, we know that God is the source of all truth. That which is “true,” is that which conforms to his character and commands; that which reflects his love, his justice, his joy, and even his righteous anger over sin. God describes himself for us in his Word to us, the Bible. For this reason, we look to the Bible in order to discover God’s truth and then live our lives accordingly. Any fight against poverty that is really concerned for morality must begin with truth. It must begin with God and God’s Word.
Flowing from the Gospel, we at Felton Bible Church have a strategy for fighting poverty, though I freely admit the ongoing challenge of actually living it out. Our strategy is first to believe the Gospel ourselves and follow Jesus as his disciples. Then, we seek to live in loving, generous unity with one another in the church, wisely giving of ourselves, our time, and our resources wherever and whenever we can, as God leads and provides. Finally, we want to overflow in generosity outside the walls of our building, and beyond the relational boundaries of our community – again, as God leads and provides. This can and should happen in a thousand different ways, according to the individual life contexts and work given to us by God. This strategy is, as I understand it, decidedly different than the strategy advocated and employed by the ORGANIZATION.
Let me note here that differences in “strategy” alone will not always preclude our making common cause in areas of social good alongside organizations with whom we disagree. But, as I review the information you provided this morning, and further information available via the pertinent webpages, I find cause for concern. It seems to me that both the ORGANIZATION generally, and the LOCAL chapter specifically (under the umbrella of the ORGANIZATION #2), define themselves socially, politically, and even religiously in ways that Felton Bible Church cannot condone and support. My sense of this comes not only through the specific positions articulated in the ORGANIZATION’s material, but also through the partners listed and viewpoints described on the flyer, and on the webpages of the ORGANIZATION/ORGANIZATION #2.
May I conclude by saying thank you? Thank you again for stopping by today, and for inquiring as to the use of our facility. Thank you also for your personal commitment to our community, especially as it is expressed in your willingness to serve on the NAME OF POSITION. That’s a tough job, and I’m sure often a thankless one. I’m grateful that you are willing to give of yourself on behalf of others. Please let me know if you would ever like to talk further. I’d love to take you to lunch sometime.
Respectfully,
NAME
JOB TITLE
Felton Bible Church
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