Wholistic Mission

I just helped coordinate a Wholistic Mission Workshop in Orissa, and at times, I felt as though I was just a participant soaking up all of the information too. Wholistic Mission is not a new concept for me, but it was nice to be reminded of it. The idea is to consider the needs of the whole person when you're reaching out to them. So often, we preach about the spirituality of Jesus, how he came to die for our sins and was resurrected. While this is true and central to our fait, it doesn't seem very relevant to the poor and marginalized people who are not sure when they will have their next meal.

We can't overlook Jesus' life by concentrating on his death. Over and over again, Jesus proclaims healing for the sick, food for the hungry, and freedom for the oppressed. As Christians, we tend to spiritualize all of these needs. But Christ was talking about physical healing, real food, and for the oppressed to be pulled out of the systems that oppress them. We preach the good news of inner spiritual freedom, and then get upset when these hungry, sick, poor people don't accept our thological presentation.

For someone who is hungry, the good news of Jesus is a meal. For one who is poor, the good news is sustainable livelihood - escape from poverty. For the oppressed, good news is freedom from the oppressor.
As we think about sharing the good news with people, shouldn't we focus on those physical and social needs first? The people we are serving will want to know about our God then! We can minister to the spiritual needs of the people better when the physical needs are met.


I really appreciate this quote that was hanging on the wall of the center where we held the workshop. From John Stott’s book “Human Rights & Human Wrongs: Major issues for a new century.”

I was hungry,
and you formed a humanities group to discuss my hunger.
I was imprisoned,
and you crept off quietly to your chapel and prayed for my release.
I was naked,
and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance.
I was sick,
and you knelt and thanked God for your health.
I was homeless,
and you preached to me of the spiritual shelter of the love of God.
I was lonely,
and you left me alone to pray for me.
You seem so holy, so close to God
but I am still very hungry-and lonely-and cold.