Voices from the Dignity Center

A couple weeks ago Ann asked the staff to write a blog entry for the site; today I hope to accomplish that. Be warned though, there might be a few tangents along the way. I love writing about the meaningful things in life, thinking deeply about all its complexities and, if I’m lucky, simplify them a little. None of what is written is meant to offend; I hope only to provoke your thoughts.

Religion certainly would be considered to be one of the most complex things in life, especially Christianity. What other religion has denominations within denominations and different theological statements within each congregation. I could sit here and try to convince you that fundamentalists are the crown jewels of Christianity, but somehow I don’t think that was the purpose Jesus had in mind when he hung on that cross.

I look at the Gospels and see the life Christ lived, and then I look at the Christian church (as a whole) today and struggle to see the relation. We bicker endlessly about politics, while Christ rarely spoke of them. We strive for the biggest and the best, while Christ said be thankful for what you have. We greatly esteem friends in high places, while Christ honored the humble in heart. We talk about poverty and dream of solutions, while Christ went out and became the solution.

It’s somewhat frustrating being  in the church when many in Christianity fail to actually be the Church in the capacity that Christ intended us to be. It’s not to say those other things aren’t important, but it becomes a problem when the poverty rate rises alongside the number of new churches being built each year.

Yet among all this doom and gloom, there remain a few flickers of light. A few congregations, a few ministries, a few people who are committed to carrying the same torch Jesus chose to carry. These people reach out to those whose closest friend is the mat they sleep on; they defend the rights of those whose rights are threatened; they spend their existence dedicated to a people whose existence is quickly forgotten.

If you know one, you’re in privileged company. Not because of their brilliance, fortune or striking good looks, (although I’ll have you know some of them are downright gorgeous, aka Rev. Jim), but because they are among the few who still place the needs of others above their own. They work in a variety of settings and serve in many different roles. They wouldn’t stand out in a crowd, but that’s how they would want it, because they don’t do what they do to be recognized, but rather to recognize those who are ignored. Whether they’re called advocates or receptionists, greeters or office support, directors or coordinators, I call them the Church, but more locally, I call them the Dignity Center.

DC Advocate