Fire in our hearts - Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
poor and dysfunctional individuals and families that rarely
darkened church doors. Familiar!
Secondly they have made mistakes. Being different invites
controversy. Being controversial, for whatever reason, invites
comment, attack and abuse. People under attack can appear
to be — and indeed often are — highly defensive. Shutters go
up, doors are closed and an apparent elitism can result. Controversial
people have to pray for the wisdom of Solomon if
they are going to be influential.
New movements are usually a prophetic reaction to the dull,
dry and boring church that surrounds them. But the time for
action can unintentionally become a reason for reaction —
which is quite different.
Demonising the opposition and lack of humility (with even
a whiff of superiority) can mark the early years of such a
movement. I was around in the early days of the New Church
Movement (house churches) so I know. It is an almost inescapable
situation for such pioneer groups.
Thirdly they reach the untouchable. Part of the ‘difference’
and ‘controversy’ is that the Jesus Fellowship and Jesus Army
is filled with people found on the streets or in a broken state.
They not only get the emotional, spiritual and relational help
they need, but the Jesus Army provides jobs for them in their
many businesses. This is a holistic approach to the gospel
and discipleship.
Small wonder occasional problems among such a group hit
the press. If most churches had such a high percentage of
untouchables, I suggest they would do no better than the Jesus
Army. The likelihood is that they would fare much worse.
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