{"id":2446,"date":"2011-12-21T16:34:52","date_gmt":"2011-12-21T21:34:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/hungerrumblings\/?p=2446"},"modified":"2011-12-21T16:34:52","modified_gmt":"2011-12-21T21:34:52","slug":"twas-the-week-before-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/worldhunger\/twas-the-week-before-christmas\/","title":{"rendered":"Twas the week before Christmas…"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>And I am at it again…<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, this will not be a Christmas post. \u00a0Click here<\/a> or here<\/a> for more seasonal commentary. \u00a0Or just reflect for a moment on the lovely image of the holy family over there.<\/p>\n

As I was looking through recent posts and comments I realized\u00a0that I have been speaking about hunger and poverty very much in terms of personal decisions. \u00a0Several of you in the comments rightly pushed back that systems and structures cannot be neglected–they often dictate the options that are presented to us. \u00a0Moreover, our individual choices can only be as efficacious as the system allows. I can turn off lights when I leave the room, but what about the carbon and particulate\u00a0emission and when I need to turn the lights on? \u00a0I can support good work<\/a> in Bangladesh, but the ~$487 million in annual tariffs that the U.S. imposes is really the bigger problem. \u00a0I can support migrant worker rights, but that won’t fix our fundamentally flawed food and trade policies with Mexico. \u00a0(Maybe you have a better example you would like to share in the comments…)<\/p>\n

Here is the rub, and I mentioned this in comments on an earlier post<\/a>, I am not convinced how well equipped the church (where I have most influence) is to address the systemic issues that perpetuate and exacerbate hunger and poverty. \u00a0Some limiting factors:<\/p>\n

1)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There is no clear agreement on what the church should be. \u00a0Theologians may make proposals, and I have made a few assertions (that are very convincing, if I do say so myself), but pastors and congregants ultimately define the direction of their congregation (this seems to me to be in line with the two most recent social statements<\/a> released by the ELCA where the \u201cbound conscience\u201d of individuals, congregations, and synods play a large role in moral discernment).\u00a0 People participate in churches for personal solace, for community, for family programs, because they always have, etc.\u00a0 The church has become a place where individual piety and preference play an ever increasing role.\u00a0 Why this may be so is a topic for another day.<\/p>\n

2)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The church itself is a part of the system.\u00a0 The church often benefits from the same structures that keep people impoverished.\u00a0 My pension depends on companies performing well. Large gifts to the ELCA generally come from those who are beneficiaries of the system.\u00a0 Those of us employed by the church best not bite the metaphorical hand.<\/p>\n

3)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Related to points 1 and 2, the church creates its own system.\u00a0 Like any institution, the church exists to a certain degree for itself.<\/p>\n

In light of these limitations, what can the church do? First, I think it is important (essential even) that the church be engaged in anti-hunger work.\u00a0 It is part of our identity and key to our public witness.\u00a0 Second, and related, we do have texts and traditions that present alternatives to the current system.\u00a0 We need to continue to lift these up and remind people (especially those who identify as Christian) of God\u2019s vision for humanity.\u00a0 Third, I am convinced that the church is uniquely situated within the system to provide real relief and development.\u00a0 We are nimble, low to the ground, and work out of longstanding partnerships.\u00a0 Our accompaniment methodology is sound.<\/p>\n

I’ve given you my thoughts, what are yours? \u00a0Where is my thinking limited? \u00a0How would you frame the issue? \u00a0Let’s talk! (Oh, and happy holidays \ud83d\ude42 )<\/p>\n

– David Creech<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

And I am at it again… Unfortunately, this will not be a Christmas post. \u00a0Click here or here for more seasonal commentary. \u00a0Or just reflect for a moment on the lovely image of the holy family over there. 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