Community ministry

Morris, Stevens, and Urquhart: Eds.  “The Word on the Street: An Invitation to Community Ministry.”

Winfield, BC: Wood Lake Books, 1991

Reviewed by Adrian Peetoom

This book contains the stories of 18 Canadians who from east to west (Vancouver to Halifax) try to be the face of Christ to other Canadians who live in the margins: the poor, the alcoholics, the homeless, the mentally ill. In various local institutions they may provide food and shelter, but beyond that they offer a human touch to those who are often isolated, ignored, avoided, dismissed. One of the authors is Larry Derkach who at that time worked in Edmonton’s Bissell Centre. He observes: “Maybe one of the most remarkable things about the ministry that we’re involved in is that it’s unremarkable. Somebody comes in for food, and you give them food! You have become part of the body of Christ ministering to another part of the body of Christ. Theologically, there’s nothing to it. It’s unremarkable. But that’s where the essence is!” (p. 8).

That kind of work isn’t for everyone, and not every Christian is called to labour at it directly. And even though HTAC supports Edmonton’s Inner City ministry with a periodic Sunday lunch (food and servers), HTACs major community outreach is towards artists in our neighbourhood, to musicians and actors. That is also a legitimate calling for a contemporary church.

But even if we’re not directly involved with this kind of ministry, it behooves us to be well aware that others are. Moreover, we can support them in two ways.

1.       By supporting others with our money.

2.       By supporting those who challenge governments of all levels to become more just.

Reading this book will help us become more involved as in it we meet not only the stories of those who are the helping hands, but also of the hands that are helped.