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Chapter 10 of “The Holiness Manifesto” is called “Holiness in the City”, written by George McKinney. McKinney is a Bishop, and pastor in the Church of God in Christ in California.

His topic is one that will tug at the heart/spirit of anyone involved in ministry to an urban area, for sure. He reminds the Church that in our discussions of pursuing holiness, we must also be talking about our response to: Fatherlessness, declining parental skills, marital health, other manifestations of our young frustrated by unfulfilled needs, education of our children, injustices, oppressive forces/systems/people/habits, ministering primarily to those impoverished in one way or another..etc.

To quote McKinney, “(Jesus) also ministered on behalf of what held them captive – socially, politically, economically, ethnically, linguistically, and in other physical ways as well as spiritually and, perhaps, demonically.”

He discusses many of the roles the people of God can play in bringing the (holy) presence of this Jesus Christ into our urban areas that need it badly, and the work Jesus continues to offer to do through us. As someone who has been called into ministry here in an urban context, many of his words offer encouragement to things we find ourselves doing, and a call to further action…and prayer.

Decatur, Illinois certainly has the need for the people of God to follow his example set for us in Christ. To reveal God, His identity, love, Spirit, etc…for all…..not simply the ones who have “caught on”. Out of our comfort zones, and in ways that make us vulnerable, to carry his message of freedom, love, grace, and mercy into our city…not simply invite them into our building in order to hear it.

A challenging message, and one I admit to doing better here in my place of work…than in actively going out to be involved in. May God give me opportunity and resource to go beyond…

Look out world, I decided to man up, and finally finished reviewing a book I’ve been working on since 2008.

Chapter 9 of “The Holiness Manifesto” is called “Social Holiness: Journey, Exposures, Encounters”, and is written by Jonathon S. Raymond. Raymond has a rich background with the Salvation Army, and currently serves as President at Trinity Western University.

He talks briefly about 2 (3) main views of “holiness” within the Salvation Army. First, Brengle Holiness, which crudely summarized focuses on an event or “crisis” alone. A distinctly “second” blessing of grace which God performs, subsequent to forgiveness of sins. Second, Coutts Holiness, which focuses more on the “ongoing, growing relationship, communion, and fellowship in Christ, and not just a single crisis experience.”

Raymond goes on to acknowledge the faults of taking either approach as the definitive “correct” choice. He suggests another “ecological” approach, emphasizing Pauls’ call to Christians to “Grow in grace”. I really like some of his illustrations here, and think it’s valuable to today’s Church that often wonders what a life pursuing “holiness” might look like.

“(Paul) means for us to mature as we immerse ourselves in nutrient-enriched (appropriate) environments of God’s grace, in context of his lovingkindness, in his presence, and in our relationships with him and others.”

That along our journey towards what God is actively doing, we will experience both Exposures AND Encounters. Exposures, Raymond describes as being these “means of grace” type things, ways of being exposed to the activity and presence of God in daily living. Encounters, he continues, are Emmaus Road and Damascus Road type experiences. Upper room encounters, both heart-warming and challengingly transformational.

Raymond continues to talk quite a bit about how all of this calls us to social action, and existing in extremely inclusive communities. Echoing Wesley’s sentiment that there is “no holiness without social holiness”, even pointing at movements like Wesley’s, and also the early Salvation Army as times where God has used large scale spiritual transformation towards social holiness to impact societal stability and progress. I don’t think any of us would say “the more people focus in holiness, the closer we get to “fixing” problems we face today.”……but I do think we’d agree with Raymond that there’s definitely some sort of connection in God moving through His people into the world and a Supernatural-healing-taking-place….um…thing. 🙂