I read an article in Big Issue yesterday. There was an interesting article about Christians doing work with people on streets. The writer, who lives on the street, was complaining about Christians who are out to convert people and makes the point that, in his observations, he has noticed the Christians he sees ‘targeting the vulnerable’ on the streets. He claims that these Christians deliberately target vulnerable people for ‘conversion’ rather than just being helpful.
It’s a challenging article and ends by saying ‘If you see me, be a good Samaritan and walk by on the other side as I am just not interested.’
I don’t like the language of ‘targeting’ the vulnerable but we can all see what the writer is meaning. Mny of us can agree in part as we have observed the practices of some. This is a difficult area, as I firmly believe Jesus came to reveal his Kingdom to all, but I would argue he took a particular interest in the ‘vulnerable’ of his time … prostitutes, lepors, the hungry, the outcast and so on.
But … should we take this article, and it will not be a solitary view, to heart. Should we analyse how we reach people on the streets in ‘mission’? (I think we should!) If nothing else, this article should cause us to check out our motives. What is at the heart of what we do? Yes, I want people to know that God loves them, but should we take into account the vulnerability of so many?
How do we achieve that fine line of ‘being Jesus’ as all Christians are called to be and not taking advantage of peoples vulnerabilities? I would hate churches to stop working with the vulnerable out of a fear of being misunderstood; but this writers views have caused me to pause!
The Shiny Headed Prophet 
a challenging post. This has been an area where I have struggled to find a balance. One charity that I have worked for talked of serving the community but measured the success of that serving by how many sat in a pew.You have made me pause and ponder again, thank you
I think it might be about how we measure success. If like Roy says we’re looking for bums on seats then that’s not a particularly helpful indicator. I find it helpful to think about wanting to realise in reality the words from the Lord’s prayer “your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven”. I guess in all my interactions with people I want something of the spirit of God to touch their lives (if that doesn’t sound pompous!)I was reminded again today that we never take God into places where he isn’t already at work. We simply can choose to join him ….Not an answer of course, just more thoughts!!
‘spose it depends how we view ‘mission’if mission is getting someone saved then moving on to the next ‘conversion’…then it’s scalp hunting and really a travesty of Salvation (imho)if mission is walking alongside and sharing our lives with others ( time, words, laughes, ideas, faith, football tickets, good times/bad times) then we’re maybe talking ….
thanks for your comments – you are right, mission cannot be about bums on seats – its always got to be about a connection of some sort.It’s a lot more than conversion, I think it’s more about transformation where peoples lives are changed for the better with a relationship with God offered as a real, but not forced, option.Wanting something of the spirit of God to touch lives does not sound pompous, rather it sounds central to what any Christian community should be about.