Fine Lines - Rolando Santiago
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DownloadSince the Inquiry Task Force meeting of March 19-21, 2009, I have been taking note of some “fine lines” in perspectives about MCC. I’d like to share some of these “fine lines” to see if others have also observed these fine lines, or if there are other fine lines that you have identified.
“Local” or “parochial.” Will those of us who serve through MCC encourage ourselves and others to act locally while thinking globally? Or, will it be too tempting to affirm local action for its own sake and interest, and forget about the contributions and benefits of local action to others in our interdependent world?
“Global” or “colonial.” To what extent do we see MCC as an organization that facilitates global exchange, communication and action on peacebuilding, sustainable development and disaster prevention and response? Or, to what extent are any of these efforts a guise for neocoloniasm?
Church as “liberator” or “oppressor.” We sometimes hold within ourselves differing views about the church. On the one side, we view the church as having the capacity to be an agent of liberation of the world, as the Brazilian educator, Paulo Freire did in a 1974 essay, and on the other side, as an agent of oppression of human beings and creation.
Do we want to be a bottom-up, or a top-down organization? Are MCC current structures mostly flexible or mostly bureaucratic? Must institutional change occur fast and impulsively, slow and deliberately?
As an educational psychologist by training, I should know why we hold differing views about these fine lines between each other and within ourselves. But I don’t. Rather than fret or become cynical, I choose to celebrate our differing perspectives. By wrestling together with these fine lines – through safe dialogue, difficult discussions, clarification of misunderstandings -- I expect we will drink new wine, from new wineskins that God has stored for us!
Rolando Santiago
Executive Director, MCC U.S.
Comments
Thank you Rolando for these reflections. They are worth pondering.
Perhaps another one, although I'm not sure the best way to frame it, is the question of how we understand/perceive the gifts of members and of the church collectively? Who do they belong to? How do we want them to be used?
Paul, excellent thought. How we use gifts from people in our Anabaptist churches or those in churches who have Anabaptist leanings should also be added as a "fine line." I think about this often when I worship in my home congregation and I look around at see the talents in the congregation. Many times I conclude that we have not created enough opportunities in MCC or in other Mennonite and Anabaptist institutions for Christian service. I am convinced many people would answer the call to serve, in the name of Christ, with integrity, in non-oppressive ways, and with competence. My dream is that there would be a groundswell of interest in our churches in being an agent for change in the world through our faith in Christ. We need to provide the opportunities. Thanks again!