Say What You Really Mean!

How can the church in the local rural community support the development of the local economy? In the local community, there is a need for processes that work to develop a common commitment. These processes have much in common, regardless of the location or the community.

People are an active part of the experience of creating something together. There are existing common commitments to the Vision. There are also strong processes which enable folks to develop commitments to each other and to the value structure. The Church has an active leadership role in developing these commitments.

Frequently I have been asked by those I visit what it is I want them to do. My answer is a simple one. "Be the Church. Disciple yourself to Jesus. Do what he did. Make human life as good as it can become."

Building commitment has been part of almost every religious activity. Every pageant, every prayer, every class has included some emphasis on commitment to the work of some deity. Christianity is no different. Even Jesus asked us to commit ourselves to his work of making human life as good as it could become.

Luke 14:25-35

"Whoever comes to me and does not place me above father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." (NRSV Luke 14:26-27)

When the Hebrews under Joshua were ready to come out of the Wilderness, they knew their task would be difficult. There were some who thought they could simply cross the Jordan River and set up the new nation. But most knew the task would be horrendous and be very costly.

The Hebrews were committed, however. They embarked on the struggle and were eventually successful in building the nation. The task took many years, with confusing ups and down, but they kept up their commitment. Their commitment was not just a self-serving platitude, but a statement of faith as well.

It was this commitment to the Lord that was the major human effort toward success. The commitment of the community has been ans still is a major work in the process of economic development. From Genesis to Revelations, every writer has emphasized commitment as part of the faith relationship.

Even the escape from Egypt and preparation to enter the promised land called for concentrated commitment ideology. Those who had escaped from Egypt knew they would not live to enter the promised land. Yet these people were called to a deep commitment to the efforts of the community to enter the new land.

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