A Christian Perspective of Kony 2012

If you been on the Internet over the last couple of days you may have noticed a new slogan of “Kony 2012″. This is basically an awareness movement, led by a non-profit group Invisible Children, to bring to light the horrible acts of Joseph Kony and the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army) in Uganda. The movement calls for the United States government to keep US advisers in Uganda and increase the efforts to stop and arrest Joseph Kony.  They have a 30 minute video that explains what the movement is all about.

There are mixed reviews on the effectiveness of Invisible Children and the viral stop Kony 2012 video. Personally do not have the knowledge or experience to condemn or endorse the effectiveness of such awareness tactics. Upon reading through the FAQ on the Invisible Children website I noticed they are not associated with any religious group. After looking at their financials, Invisible Children spends a large percentage of awareness and only 37% on ground relief efforts. With that being said, it’s hard not like this movement and here’s why…

These guys are doing something.  They are trying to make a difference.  They see a wrong in the world and doing what they think is right to correct it.  They are pouring their time, energy, and committing part of their lives to help children on the other side of the globe.  As a follower of Christ, I want to be part of an effort the cares for the less fortunate and helps protect those who cannot protect themselves.  As Christians, we should be actively involved in helping the less fortunate.  James 1:27 challenges us that we should care for the widows and orphans.  So rather than criticize, I want to help.

But what level of help?  I want my time, money and energy to be used to help make Christ and His name know.  I believe this would be best utilized by supporting on the ground missionaries in the areas affected by Joseph Kony.  I believe there’s more to just stopping Kony, it’s about bringing in Christ.  But I believe we as Christians can do this through the Kony 2012 movement.  By utilizing this awareness initiative, we can help make our brothers and sisters in Christ aware of Christian missionaries who desperately need our support. We can rally with Invisible Children supporters and share our reason for participating, Christ.  There is great opportunity to show that followers of Christ are concerned with the hurting and healing all across the globe.  As this is an opportunity the Christian’s shouldn’t miss (Colossians 4:5).

Please feel free to comment on your thoughts about the Kony 2012 movement.  What do you think should be the Christian’s reaction?

Being a Servant: It Starts From the Top

This is part 3 of the Being a Servant series:

We all know that being a servant is one of the key elements of what it means to be a Christian.  We know that we are to serve those around us.  We know that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves.  It’s part of the Christian’s DNA.  It’s who we are called to be.  One of the greatest challenges of Christian leaders is how do we teach servant-hood?

Sermons, lesson plans, illustrations, video clips will always fall short on teaching what it means to be a servant.  Christianity and one of the key traits of Christianity, servant-hood must be caught and not taught.  C.S. Lewis calls this process The Good Infection. Others will never completely understand what servant-hood unless they see it and experience with their own two eyes.

The sales world knows hows this principle.  That’s why when you go shopping you can touch the merchandise.  Try it on to see if it fits.  Electronics are on display so you can personally see how all the features work on every gadget they are selling.  Most stores even offer a 30-90 return policy so you can even “sample” the merchandise in your own home.  The sales world knows you need to see it to believe it.

Christians leaders are called to do the same thing.  We must demonstrate what it means to be a servant by our actions.  A paraphrase of James 1:22 applied to Christians leaders might go something like this: Do not just merely preach servant-hood.  Be one! The Church and the unbelieving world doesn’t need more teaching, it needs a demonstration.  It needs to see servant-hood lived out in the flesh.

Jesus knew his disciples needed to see his servant-hood lived out.  His teaching was not enough, he had to physically show them what it meant to be a servant.  John 13:3-15 tells of how Jesus displayed what it mean to be a servant.

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵ After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” ¹¹ For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Jesus set the example for his disciples and we are called to do the same.  We are called to serve in the lowly of positions, like washing feet.  Stinky, nasty, dirty feet.  And by getting on our hands and knees and doing the dirty nasty things that nobody else wants to do, at that very moment that’s when we teach what it means to be a servant.  It happens from the top down.  When leaders, teachers and those at the top serve, other get it.  If this was method was good enough for Jesus to use to teach the disciples it’s good enough for us to use today.

Related Articles

Being a Servant: The Example of Jesus

Being a Servant: From Toilets to Servants

Being a Servant: It’s Not About YOU!

To Vote or Not to Vote

That is the question that some are asking.  I heard a similar question yesterday, “Do Christians have a responsibility to vote?”  I’ve been pondering about that question since I first heard it yesterday.  Is it the responsibility of the Christian to vote today?

There are a couple of passages of scripture that deal with how a Christian should respond to government and its officials.  One is found in Romans 13:

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Within Romans 13 one of the sentences really stands out to me, “Then do what is right and you will be commended.”  Paul is trying to communicate the message that God instituted government and the government has a purpose and role to keep society in order.  Without the rule of government society would be in utter chaos.  The right thing is to acknowledge that God is behind government and the Christian’s response is to be subject.  Our responsibility is to submit to leadership because government exists to serve a greater purpose for God and His Kingdom.

But what about voting?  Here are my thoughts.  As Christians, God chose to have His Spirit dwell within us.  In scripture this is called the Holy Spirit, God’s Spirit, and the Spirit of Christ.  Not only do we have His Spirit residing within us, Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  So what if the good work that God is preparing for us to do is voting today?  And by voting today God will work through us the setup the authority He chooses.  What if God wants to use you and I at the voting polls to place the leaders in government that He wants?

That brings up an entirely different question, one which I don’t have the answer to, who to vote for?  I cannot answer that question.  Here’s what I can recommend.  Review the facts.  Read everything you can about the candidates.  Research their voting record, their business practices and even think about how they use political ads.  After reviewing the facts, sit down in a time of prayer with God.  Ask Him who he would like to see in authority.  What type of leader best exhibits a Godly character, fruits of the Spirit, and a spirit of servanthood?  After that, on faith, vote.

How does God want you to respond today to his command, “Then do what is right and you will be commended.”?  Reply in the comments section with your comments, questions or rebuttals.