Ministry In an Era of Unprecedented Change

Things Are Changing, Changing, Changing… We live in an era of unprecedented change.

• Family is changing.
• Technology is changing.
• Belief systems are changing.
• Friends are changing.
• How we communicate is changing.
• We are changing.

What is more, change is happening quicker and quicker. It used to take generations to see changes in attitudes. We valued things pretty much as our families had done for generations.

Now we see profound changes from one generation to the next… and even within just a few years’ time.

Change is a fact of our life, whether we like it or not. So, there is a question we must ask about how we minister.

How do changes affect our ministry?

Shouldn’t we give serious thought to how these changes affect our ministries and personal attitudes as we serve?

Have the needs of the people we are committed to serving changed?

In one sense, they have not changed. They still need food, clothing, and shelter.

In another sense, they have changed. Today, we are more aware of systems that trap so many.

One of the major changes is similar medicine … recognizing the role of prevention. Medicine today looks to underlying causes and prevention.

Catching up to forgotten truths

Have we forgotten that Vincent addressed underlying causes in our ministry and worked for long-term solutions?

Should not followers of Vincent and Louise have the courage to address new and often unrecognized situations and causes… and opportunities in how we serve?

We know of Vincent’s legendary care for each individual he encountered. Vincent is a living example of Pope Francis’ calls to personal encounters, especially with those forgotten as “throw-aways” in a consumer culture.  

Forgotten truths about the Vincentian Way

We must also remember that …

• He was convinced that others shared his vision and would be generous in responding to needs. “The poor suffer less from a lack of generosity than from a lack of organization.”
• Vincent was humble enough to ask others to help. He was not wedded to any messianic delusions, “Lone Ranger” tendencies of thinking that he had to do it on his own.
• He was adept at involving others in what he saw needed to be done. He found his strength in accepting his limitations.
• When called for, he had the courage and the skill to walk where few had walked before.
• He often courageously spoke the truth to power.

He involved others from all classes in direct service but also raised the consciousness of laypersons and clergy.

Have we forgotten people need a “hand up.”

A handout is something given freely or distributed free to those in need. It can refer to government welfare or a charitable gift, and it may take the form of money, food, or other necessities. As such it addresses an immediate need.

But a hand up, in contrast, goes beyond “first aid” and meeting an immediate need. A hand up literally means helping someone stand up on their own. It does not mean carrying them if they can walk.

These approaches are complementary!. Each of us has our own gifts. But today we must respect and support those who recognize what we have forgotten.

Now is the time to ask … am I

• Convinced that others share our vision?
• Humble enough to ask others to collaborate in projects ?
• Open to accepting my limitations as reminders to collaborate with others?
• Courageous enough to go against popular prejudices?
• Strong enough to speak the truth to power?

Click below for an audio version of this Vincentian Mindwalk