Some have more than hope; they even have a plan. The current issue of TIME magazine features a cover story on Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Community Church. A major part of the article deals with his PEACE plan (PEACE — an acronym for promote reconciliation; equip servant leaders; assist the poor; care for the sick; educate the next generation). An excerpt from the feature says:
Five years ago, he concocted what he calls the PEACE plan, a bid to turn every single Christian church on earth into a provider of local health care, literacy and economic development, leadership training and spiritual growth. The enterprise has collected testimonials from Bono, the First Couple, Hillary Clinton, Obama, McCain and Graham, who called it "the greatest, most comprehensive and most biblical vision for world missions I've ever heard or read about."
To read the complete article go to: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1830147,00.html
Last Sunday with my Bible study group I tried to share from the Bible (second chapter of James) about favoritism and discrimination because of riches in the local church, as well as implications for the world community. I did a poor job directing the discussion, and it denigrated to focusing on nationalistic pride.
Here are some words from the lesson commentary I wish I had read to the group:
Jesus said at the outset of his ministry that he came to “bring good news to the poor.” He also spoke to the affluent about the deceitfulness of riches and the cares of this world. He knew that all the needs of the poor could not be met with wealth and that the spiritual poverty of the wealthy would not be solved if they became poor.
I invested some of the best years of my life working in Brazil to share the good news of Christ and help communities build a better life. I have done likewise on short-term trips to Central America.
I am well aware of widely differing philosophies and strategies to have a better world. Below is a poster with words that represent some good ideas. Though I would disagree with the ideology behind some of the statements, I find many of the thoughts worthy to share.
Think of no one as "them"
Don't confuse your comfort with your safety
Talk to strangers
Imagine other cultures through their art, poetry and novels
Listen to music you don't understand
Dance to it
Act locally
Notice the workings of power & privilege in your culture
Question consumption
Know how your lettuce and coffee are grown: wake up and smell the exploitation
Look for fair trade and union labels
Help build economies from the bottom up
Acquire few needs
Learn a second (or third) language
Visit people, places, and cultures - not tourist attractions
Learn people's history
Re-define progress
Know physical and political geography
Play games from other cultures
Watch films with subtitles
Know your heritage
Honor everyone's holidays
Look at the moon and imagine someone else, somewhere else, looking at it too
Read the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Understand the global economy in terms of people, land and water
Know where your bank banks
Never believe you have a right to anyone else's resources
Refuse to wear corporate logos: defy corporate domination
Question military/corporate connections
Don't confuse money with wealth, or time with money
Have a pen/email pal
Honor indigenous cultures
Judge governance by how well it meets all people's needs
Be skeptical about what you read
Eat adventurously
Enjoy vegetables, beans and grains in your diet
Choose curiosity over certainty
Know where your water comes from and where your wastes go
Pledge allegiance to the earth: question nationalism
Think South, Central and North - there are many Americas
Assume that many others share your dreams
Know that no one is silent though many are not heard
Work to change this.
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