Dear Friend,
"Looking for an answer to entrenched polarization? Look
at what is happening to overcome hatred and create peace across Ethiopia."
So begins the words of a good friend and colleague who served on staff
with me in the 80's when I was pastoring in Greenville, Pa. After several
pastorates, his last in Visalia, Ca, Rich Hansen and his wife Marilyn traveled
across the ocean to serve on the mission field in Ethiopia, where Rich
would teach in a seminary in Addis Ababa where he helped
train Ethiopian pastors. Presently he and his wife are living in
Annapolis Maryland where he is a life coach for pastors.
In his weekly newsletter he shares an interview with
Andrew DeCort, whom he met while teaching at the Seminary. Andrew leads the
"Neighbor-Love Movement" in Ethiopia. It is a movement that had
chosen to not only study the Sermon on the Mount, but to live out its
message in specific and practical ways. They are practicing “the greatest
message ever preached” in real time in a country divided by hatred where
Moslems and Christians continue to wage war, and where families are being torn
apart by tribal, religious, and political hatred. I think the message they
share is ripe for hearing in our politically and racially charged
environment.
The Sermon on the Mount was not only meant to be preached but to
be practiced. Jesus expects us to "actually, concretely, and
unequivocally love our enemies," and in Ethiopia there are those who are
taking seriously these words by practicing what is called
"Neighboring Love." The foundation of this ministry began
when a few people took to heart the words of Jesus who told us we are to love
our enemies, and in doing so they are leaving behind them the footprints
to their faith as they step into the middle of the ethnic, social and
political conflicts amidst their society. This year the "Art of
Neighboring" will be shared in all 45 universities across the
country, and already the stories of the radical relational
transformation that have resulted from this ministry are amazing to
behold.
When I listened to the interview with one of the founders of
the "Neighbor Love Movement" which you can access by
clicking on to the link below, I was amazed at the biblical simplicity of
their message which embraces loving others with every part of
our body.
1. I will use my eyes literally see you as my neighbor
2. I will open my ears to hear and listen to your hurt, and
I will love and respect you even when we disagree.
3. I will use my mouth to speak truth and show respect and to ask
forgiveness when I have wronged you.
4. I will use my hands to help you, not harm you
5. I will use my feet to move outside my own circle and walk with
people who are different from me, even those who are my enemies. And I will
work to get closer to them to try and make them my friends.
6. I will use my heart and make it a place where I can
embrace your joy and your pain and not revert to envy, cursing or
revenge.
7. I will use my mind and brain to live a unified life and hold
together unified values of lifestyle and belief and practices without
ever saying I am a follower of Jesus while choosing to hate my enemy.
Many of us wore WWJD, 'What Would Jesus Do" wristbands. That
was an easy thing for us to do, and hopefully it made, and still makes a
difference, in how we live out our faith. Wearing a wrist band can certainly be
a good reminder of how we are to walk in Christ's footsteps, but the Art of
Neighboring takes this challenge to a new and higher level. This is not
Christianity 101. It is for only who are seeking an advanced degree
in discipleship.
I close with the words of our brother James who writes: "But
be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves."
(James 1:22), Enough said. I hope you will click on and listen to the
link below.
Yours in faith and friendship,
Tom
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