Is the Christian church ready?
by Mark Goodway - Founder of The Matthew Tree Project (charity)
The challenges facing society in 2014, many believe, are like nothing experienced before. It
is certainly the most challenging times in living memory and the church has a role to play.
The four pillars on which our society stands are; (1) local and national government; (2) the
corporate sector; (3) the third sector of statutory and voluntary organisations and (4) the
faith/church community; and each has a significant role to play. However, the church has a
unique opportunity to stand up and take the lead in demonstrating God's Kingdom on earth
at this time of great change and challenge. God has previous in this. It won't be the first time
He has intervened to save mankind from disaster. Think Joseph and the seven years of
plenty before the seven years of famine.
Poverty is real and is being felt by thousands of adults and children which is adversely
effecting their life chances. And this is not just in Africa, Asia and South America but in 2014
Britain and many of the other Western developed 'rich' countries. Inequality is more stark
now than it has ever been leading to huge social and health problems and challenges. Does
God care about this and the human suffering it causes. Of course He does. For anyone to
think otherwise is not to know God at all. God has chosen us to be His hands and feet to
address the need here on earth.
And he has provided us with all the resources we need to respond to this challenge. He has
even given us a step-by-step guide in Acts chapter 4 with the example of the actions of the
early church. They called upon and proclaimed the name of the Lord, sold all their
possessions and shared with all. No one was in need. We live in a highly materialistic and
consumer driven society that is damaging to us and those around us. In many respects we
work ourselves into an early grave to buy things we do not need and often cannot afford.
God is clear in His instruction to us. Not to concern ourselves with earthly things but with
heavenly things instead - the things that matter to God. People. To love our neighbour as we
love ourselves and to care for them - whatever their need may be. Our task is to accept
everyone we meet as they are, value them for who they are, love them and care for them
regardless. No exception and no qualification needed. This is what God did for us and this is
what we do for those God brings into our lives.
Oxfam recently reported (March 2014) that the 85 richest people are as wealthy as the
poorest half of the worlds population and they called on those gathered at the recent WEF
(World Economic Forum) to pledge: to support progressive taxation and not dodge their own
taxes; refrain from using their wealth to seek political favours that undermine the democratic
will of their fellow citizens; make public all investments in companies and trusts for which
they are the ultimate beneficial owners; challenge governments to use tax revenue to
provide universal healthcare, education and social protection; demand a living wage in all
companies they own or control; and challenge other members of the economic elite to join
them in these pledges.
This is important. Welfare has been heavily in the news for the last two years, with the unfair
government welfare reforms, and the reasons why different people come to rely on it are
incredibly complex. The recent DEFRA report on food aid found that the biggest issues
facing many accessing food aid are low-income, increasing living costs (including food
prices) and personal debt. One of the food poverty charities featured on the recent BBC1
Panorama programme, the Matthew Tree Project, asks those receiving food to bring their
bank statements because they understand that many visiting them need more than help with
their food. It’s only when some of the underlying causes of poverty can begin to be
addressed that significant progress can be made.
The Matthew Tree Project (TMTP), an independent Christian faith based charity, is very
much a (very real) practical expression of the ethos and holistic nature of God in 2014.
TMTP enjoy the (active and practical) support of Bristol City Council (right up to the mayor
himself); the Food Policy Council; Bristol's Food Network; Bristol Green Capital; the London
Assembly; the Tudor Trust; the ward councillors in the wards in which they work (the most
deprived in the city); Bristol's Public Health department; BITC (Business in the Community
network); and the local and national media (i.e. BBC Panorama in March'14; Channel 4
Dispatches in March'14; BBC Radio 4's Costing the Earth last week; BBC Radio 4's Any
Questions May 2, 2014; BBC Inside Out West 2011 & 2012; plus numerous local radio
stations and shows over the past 24 months).
Mark Goodway, Founder of TMTP is also a member of Bristol's Fairness Commission (the
final report is due to be released April 2014); Bristol's Joint Planning Board for Welfare
Reform and Advice Agencies and is also an advisor's to the APPG (all party parliamentary
group of MP's) in Westminster for Hunger and Food Poverty.
There is a tremendous advantage in being in this privileged position to be able to connect all
the dots across all these bodies/groups as the issues being tackled are complex and a
matrix of multiple elements all of which effect each other in different ways. This is why TMTP
model is so successful and making such progress on the food poverty, food security,
economic (skills and jobs), and environmental impact agenda. It is absolutely not a food
bank but instead a transforming, pioneering and unique initiative that is hitting all the right
notes and most importantly... is a sustainable model that works in the most deprived
communities and for the most vulnerable and those on the lowest incomes, as well as for
everyone else.
TMTP work maximises local food growing and healthy food production (volume and
effectiveness); actively promotes the development of multiple skills and training in the local
food sector; actively promotes healthier and happier lifestyles, actively reduces food waste
and maximises resources; actively reduces transportation and packaging costs and
mechanical interventions (carbon emissions); actively engages with all levels of the local
community including council, schools, colleges, businesses, churches, other local
organisations and residents and significantly improves community cohesion and active
(outdoor) lifestyles whilst at the same time promoting the value and importance of ecology
and the need to view the environment around us in a completely different and very positive
way - to help us solve our multiple challenges of social, health and economic problems.
In addition to the above TMTP work also includes cook from scratch cookery courses,
malnutrition and obesity work, money & budgeting support, creating relationship and the
building up of trust, self-confidence and self-esteem (a vital component in any work with
anyone).
Make no mistake, the situation we face is serious on many levels. A major UN report this
week (March 2014) warns The impacts of global warming are likely to be "severe, pervasive
and irreversible".
Scientists and officials meeting in Japan say the document is the most comprehensive
assessment to date of the impacts of climate change on the world. Some impacts of climate
change include a higher risk of flooding and changes to crop yields and water availability.
Humans may be able to adapt to some of these changes, but only within limits.
God has shown he is ready to do what it takes to guide us through this.
The question is...are we?