I said I’d write about the people we are with out here. One of the most encouraging parts of the trip has been getting to know the pastors here and getting to see what makes them get up in the morning. (Preface: For reasons of policy I have to be intentionally vague in describing them and so won’t name any people or groups. But talk to me if you would like to find out more.)
I’ve been really impressed to see the way the staff approaches ministry. Everyone here is a part of a team. There are no solo workers left to take on the world. There are multiple teams throughout the city, each with people playing different parts. Many teams have also begun their own businesses in order to bring in revenue as well as to provide jobs for people they know that need them. Their vision is for restoring broken life, not just broken spiritual life.
Individually each pastor is very different from the next. Each has a specific neighborhood and people group they are working with. At one point during the week I looked at Ben and said “It kind of seems like these guys are ministry cowboys.” We were trying pretty hard to think of a similar environment at home that felt so much like a wild frontier. Very few residents here have ever met an actual Christian. Last night we were talking with one team leader about how whenever we use the words “pastor” or “seminary” at home when meeting new people things typically get weird because they assume you to be the moral police. His response was “Here it’s easy because no one knows what a pastor is.”
One other thing that sets them apart is that everyone throughout the teams is involved in street ministry. There isn’t one guy responsible for meeting people while everyone else emails from home. They all devote days to going door to door, or meeting people on the streets. It’s a way of life.
Tonight we had a joint worship service with two churches. We sang songs in English and Hindi as the musicians sat on the floor up front. It’s a part of ingrafting South Asian culture. We also worshipped with our shoes off. We are told in Revelation that in the new heavens and earth, the kings of the earth will “bring their glory in”. God is the God of Asians and Anglos alike.
After worship we all shared an Indian meal that the church provides weekly. We got to meet believers from around the world. We also got to meet some who would not yet call themselves believers. Ben talked with one guy after church who identified himself as an atheist. But I’ll save more from our conversations for next time. Here’s an over-the-shoulder shot from worship.
-Kent
The Kirk to London 