Tent City and Mercer Island churches discover that volunteering can mean connecting with neighbors or division in a community according to Christianity Today.
In Mercer Island, Washington, churches are volunteering to help those who are among the poor and needy by hosting Tent City. It's a traveling camp of homeless people who are trying to turn their lives around and are drug free. Tent City has been around for a few years - I wrote about it last year. The camp stays at the host church for about three months. Sounds like a wonderful endeavor to help those in need, right?
Is Everyone A Happy Camper?
Well, not everyone is happy. Some Mercer Island residents filed a lawsuit to try to stop the camp being hosted by Mercer Island United Methodist Church. Trying to connect and volunteering to help the poor can mean division and opposition. Luckily, a judge denied the request for a restraining order.
The church's pastor, Leslie Ann Knight, was surprised at the animosity from the local community against the church and Tent City. Christianity Today commented:
Though the encampment has continued to divide the community, it has unified churches on the island, as they have chipped in to provide meals and other supplies to the 100 or so occupants of the encampment.
Not all Mercer Island residents oppose their churches' good deeds. Many have supported the effort to host Tent City and lots of people have been generous. Nonetheless, Tent City on Mercer Island presents challenges.
Love Your Neighbor
This situation poses a real dilemma. The Bible clearly states that true religion is caring for the poor and needy. Yet Jesus also told us to love our neighbor. What if the neighbor doesn't like the poor - at least not when the neighbor lives right next door to them? What should we do? Should churches connect with their local community or should they provide a cup of cold water, clothes for the unclad, and food for the hungry? How do we determine the priorities when we want to reach our neighbor?
At Semper Vita, our mission is to have everyone experience life through serving in community. How would that work on Mercer Island with Tent City? Click on Comments and weigh in on the issue.
HT: Tamara Dull.
