Compassion Wagon

In the 70's and early 80's, before the Japanese minibus/taxi phenomenon swarmed our roads, the VW Kombi reigned supreme. If you were a deliquent male and aquired the panel van, or (shock horror!) had curtains in your Kombi, your choice of bumper sticker would be "PASSION WAGON: DON'T LAUGH, YOUR DAUGHTER MAY BE INSIDE!"



I'm quite sure the bumper sticker acted as a guarantee that the "Luvmobile" was never used for it's desired purpose. Nevertheless, that didn't prevent Kombi owners jumping on the bumpersticker bandwagon in droves.

We all have a tendency to join in on trends. Hey, I'm blogging..... The problem with trends is that they rise and fade quickly due to the lack of core value. I get suspicious of church trends. Not style trends. Style trends are cool. They make a church's atmosphere fashionable and contemporary. I'm bugged by thoughtless ministry trends. Doing stuff for God because it feels good running with a crowd.

I'm speaking on the "Kingdom Culture of Compassion" on Sunday 17th August. It's best I blow some steam before I speak publicly. I believe God is compassionate but I struggle with those immersed in a current trend of South African social compassion. Here are my issues:

1. It's obvious that the huge gap between the rich and poor in South Africa makes uplifting the poor a prerequisite to a complete gospel. But are the wealthier citizens feeling guilt about their ill-gotton historical advantage and seeking to redeem their continued position of privilege?
2. Why do I get the feeling that social compassion trendsetters have lost their confidence in the message of forgiveness through faith in what Jesus did on the cross? They still believe in the message of the gospel, but they don't seem confident that it is what our world needs now. Their world needs food, clothes, education, medicine and employment. However, miraculous healing, relief from life-destroying myths about God, and the need for an inward transformation of the heart are all somehow redundant in the face of practically addressing the endless social need.
3. The social compassion trendsetters are sometimes the new Pharisees. Looking down their noses at those who haven't tangibly committed themselves to the plight of the poor. In yesteryear, a commanding knowledge of the bible and obvious devotional piety created a moral high ground for selected believers. Now, those who have exhausted themselves in service to the poor and have embarked on short-term mission to a neighbouring nation are at risk of the subtle claws of self-righteousness.
4. The church is metaphorically described as "a body" in Paul the Apostle's writings. Every member of the body is unique and there for a different function. In the same way, church members will be different in passion, gifting and style. Surely that encourages followers of Jesus towards diversity in their primary areas of service? Should we all be volunteering at homeless shelters or the like?
5. Is all the aid, relief and expression of compassion achieving anything of lasting benefit for the poor? Or is it still well disguised colonial meddling? First, they came to annex and exploit, now they try to mend and support. God expects us to be compassionate to people who are in a time of great need. But every nation on earth that has risen from the mire of poverty has developed a resolve to become productive to some end, whether they were given a compassionate headstart or not.

Having said all that (got it off my chest). I know that compassionless Christ-followers are dysfunctional. Many mercy-gifted believers are pouring their lives into the poor with as pure a motive as I teach. Lastly, I know that without the compassion of God and others, I would be in a terrible mess right now. In troubles times, I'm glad when the Compassion Wagon stops to help.