Institutional Faith
So much of my musings are about personal decisions and personal ways to live ones faith. Guess what, institutions can (and do) live their values also. With organizations that have a mission statement, that is a statement of their values - or "faith" in a sense... what that group values as the purpose of their being. In the sense of businesses, mission statements usually center around profit and production value. (Ex: Company XYZ strives to be the best at cybersecurity. Organization ABC will generate large profit.) With non-profit and religious groups, these statements of purpose are generally more about doing good in the world or promoting a certain faith (Ex: Nonprofit QRS supports reforestation in the local area. 2nd Church makes believers of non-believers.)
The thing is, any organization can have a mission statement - but just as with personal faith it is the actions which tell the real story. If you want to see what a group or person holds as valuable, look at what they do and where they put their time, money and effort. Yes, mission statements are telling, but more so are actions. (Earlier in Feb. I wrote about a waste management company which lives its values.)
Which brings me to a church in Newark, DE I am honored to have as one of my spiritual homes. New Ark United Church of Christ is a community that lives its values more than talking about them. Just this week the city of Newark voted to rezone the land where the church is, so that they can go ahead with a plan to replace their building with affordable housing. What? Replace their place of worship with housing? Yes. And that, my friends, is putting faith into action.
The plan is to have a multi-story building with worship and office space on the first floor and affordable housing above. You might wonder why a church would decide to take such a drastic measure. Their pastor, Rev. Cynthia Robinson, explains the decision by saying, "This is a city of neighbors, and this is a way that we are trying to love our neighbor as ourselves by providing the possibility of this affordable housing."
There is a saying the church holds when talking about their social justice work and living their religion in the word, "I'm willing to disrupt my life for you." This simple phrase and the actions of this church show their true mission, that the betterment of the neighborhood and showing love in the world is exceedingly important.
For more about this bold and loving process, here are two news articles, WDEL and Newark Post (you will need to sign up for a free account to read the Newark Post online).
What does this mean for those of us who aren't affiliated with this group, or don't live in the area? Just like all of what I write, it's about examples. What does this example bring up for you or for the groups you are part of? Who or what are you willing to disrupt your life for? Where could you get uncomfortable to live your values in the world? Does your church/business/school have opportunities to live their values and how can you help?
Thank you, New Ark United Church of Christ - for your support of housing and for your challenging example!
