Toward a more responsible redemptive social action

Highlighted by O'Steven from John Hay, Jr., D. Min.

RESCUE:

View of the problem - individual moral default

View of the person - moral bankrupt, "project", dependent

Position of the helper - benevolent evangelist, authority over

Nature of intervention - press for spiritual-based behavior adjustment in the dependent

Catalyst for change - conversion

Intended Result - Discipleship

Practices - preaching, teaching, mentoring, accountability

Where is God? Above

What is Salvation? non-material, transcendent

Community impact - individual lives positively impact the community indirectly

SERVICE PROVIDER:

View of problem - individual & systemic default

View of person - client, dependent/codependent

Position of helper - professional caregiver

Nature of intervention - call for social-based behavior adjustment in client

Catalyst for change - connect to good resources, will power

Intended result - productive member of society

Practices - assessing needs, procuring entitlements, follow progress

Where is God? Aside

What is Salvation? social stability, relieved of social oppression

Community impact - self-sufficiency, independence impacts the community indirectly

HOSPITALITY:

View of problem - personal & relational estrangement

View of person - guest, gift-bearer, neighbor

Position of helper - host, toward mutuality

Nature of intervention - opens possibility for change within guest and host

Catalyst for change - sustained, respectful interpersonal interaction

Intended result - neighboring

Practices - making room, hosting, neighboring

Where is God? among

What is Salvations? realizing hope in relationship, emerging community

Community impact - interdependence between neighbors impacts the community directly

A Few Observations:

1. Hospitality offers a powerful "next step" for many faith-based initiatives struggling to breakthrough to more authentic relationships

2. Hospitality reframes redemptive social action away from specialization and professionalization while maintaining a highly disciplined approach

3. Hospitality is thoroughly Biblical in its grounding and Kingdom focused

4. Hospitality places confidence in the work of God the Holy Spirit to foster authentic relationships between guests and hosts

5. Hospitality creates a dynamic system of true freedom, clear boundaries, and mutuality among participants

6. A paradigm of hospitality is not easy to initiate and it is maintained precariously by constant reinforcement of its principles, practices and open conflict (not competition)