By AJ Sherrill
Distance is rarely a remedy. When applied to emotional poverty it perpetuates depression; in marital poverty it creates independence; in governmental poverty it produces dictators; in spiritual poverty it fosters autonomy; and in economic poverty it generates permanent class distinctions. It is the latter example that we will focus our attention on as far as this article is concerned.
I ask for an advance of grace if I do not outline the fundamental reason for systemic economic poverty any more than you might expect me to pioneer new developments in scientific theory. I am not an economist any more than a scientist. As a pastor, I respond to what I see and seek to reveal Jesus in how I believe. What I can tell you is that poverty is occurring all around you and that is not a cute way of saying we are in a global village.
Africa is not the only continent needing aid. Marriages are failing, education is struggling at the secondary level, suicides are climbing and generational poverty still exists. If you are unaware of the poverty around you (or perhaps within) I suggest that to possibly be the greatest poverty in your life. The chart below is a fascinating revelation. Based on your answers, see which category you most align with. It will give you some perspective of the vantage point from which you see.
|
POVERTY |
MIDDLE CLASS |
WEALTH |
|
|
MONEY |
To be used, spent |
To be managed |
Conserved, invested |
|
POSSESSIONS |
People |
Things |
One of a kind objects |
|
FOOD |
Key Question: Did you have enough?
|
Key Question: Did you like it? |
Key Question: Was it presented well? |
|
CLOTHING |
Valued for style and expression of personality |
Valued for quality and acceptance into norm of middle class |
Valued for artistic sense and expression. Designer important
|
|
TIME |
Present most important. Decisions made for moment based on feelings or survival.
|
Future most important. Decisions made against future ramifications. |
Tradition and history most important. Decisions made on basis of tradition and decorum. |
|
EDUCATION |
Valued and revered but not as reality |
Crucial for climbing success ladder and making money. |
Necessary tradition for making and retaining connections
|
|
LANGUAGE |
Casual register. Language is about survival.
|
Former register. Language is about negotiation. |
Formal register. Language is about networking. |
|
WORLDVIEW |
Sees world in terms of local setting.
|
Sees world in terms of national setting. |
Sees world in terms of intn’l view. |
|
DRIVING FORCE |
Survival, relationships, entertainment |
Work, achievement |
Financial, political, social connections |
(A Framework For Understanding Poverty by Ruby K. Payne, Ph.D)
Two months ago I stepped foot onto the elementary campus across the street from where our church meets weekly. I was hoping to be a good neighbor and offer our community to fill in some holes where spackling, so to speak, was needed. What I discovered was far from holes to fill, but rather walls to build. After volunteering my services I nearly created an instantaneous auction with teachers lining up to place me in their classrooms. Under-resourced in a state where a tragic deficit is being balanced in the budget, education has taken a hit and teachers are often collateral. Not only are educators not getting the help they need outside, but are losing assets within. You can imagine how dire conditions must be when the “church” walks into the “state” and the state exclaims, “I need you!”
What is worse about this entire scenario is that many of these students have migrated from Spanish speaking countries and are sent to 6th grade with 2nd grade reading levels. Fast forward the tape (or DVD, mp3, Blue Ray disk insert your appropriate means here) and what you find are middle schoolers dropping out before the 8th grade because they cannot even read and do not have a support system to close the gap. This often leads to generational poverty, poor living conditions, teen pregnancy, drugs, and/or crime.
Now, I make no claim to know how far the rabbit hole goes, or who is to blame, or the 10 steps we should take from here to eradicate the situation, etc. However, I do know that relationships matter. And because relationships matter, there is hope simply because we all have the capacity to deposit something into someone. When students, who have experienced generational poverty and have overcome, are asked how they did it, 9 out of 10 attribute their journey to a relationship – to someone, somewhere who has taken an interest and invested relationally. Maybe it is time to begin asking questions about who/what you invest your life into. Or maybe how you spend spare time that is casual to you, but perhaps priceless to another. Chances are, if you’re reading this, than you are on the middle to right end of economic spectrum and you truly are seeking to give your life to something/one that will make a difference.
Paradoxically, I believe the greatest education I’ve had in becoming a pastor in the 21st century western context has occurred outside the church rather than within. My journey began by walking across the street. I cannot change everything, but I can change something. Perhaps when everyone commits to changing something we might come close to everything. Open your eyes. It is most likely closer than you think.
AJ is the Teaching Pastor of Origins Church in Long Beach. In addition, he coaches churches leaning into the emerging generations. Check out AJSherrill.com for info on existing projects.