Each year CCC puts on two banquets for the local community, with a particular focus on providing a fun, warm, welcoming night with food, music and friendship for the most disadvantaged in the city, especially those who are homeless. I wanted to write a quick blog as to the vision behind the banquet and how it fits into the wider vision and values of Christ City Church.
(1) It’s our calling
Jesus commanded us to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16) preventing decay (salt) and dispelling darkness (light), that is why part of our vision statement at CCC is to make a positive difference for Christ, spiritually, culturally and socially – we are called to both call people to Christ individually through repentance and faith, and to have a positive influence on society at large. The banquet, whilst only a drop in the ocean, is a small contribution we can make to hinder the decay and dispel some of the darkness in our society (the decay and darkness of hunger, lack of shelter, isolation, loneliness, fear, etc.).
(2) It’s a practical way to love the otherwise ‘faceless’ poor
It is easy to ‘love the poor’ at a distance by throwing money at projects and supporting others who do the ‘frontline work.’ But when we do this we are loving ‘the faceless poor’ – we don’t actually know and love any specific individuals and we are not trying to involve them in our lives in a meaningful way. Proverbs 14:21 says
It is a sin to despise one’s neighbour, blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.
The banquet gives us an opportunity to be kind to the needy and to get to know our neighbours. In other words, we are called not simply to be a donor/service provider to the poor but neighbours and friends to them.
Whilst we cannot solve the homeless and housing crisis in Dublin with one event, we can offer community, friendship, love and some food and fun, a warm welcome and a kind smile. This is often more challenging than just ‘throwing money’ at people as a donor.
Additionally, since Jesus said “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God” (Luke 6:20) we must remember that we can learn from those who are less fortunate than us, and we can share in the blessing God gives them. We not only give…we also receive when we get to know people and listen to them.
(3) It is part of a longer-term strategic vision to establish a mercy ministry
Proverbs 29:7 says
The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.
Tim Keller tells us that “the word care translates a Hebrew term that means to search out a matter, to do exhaustive research.*” In other words, it is our responsibility to discover and understand the real needs of the city and consider how we can meet those needs. Loving the poor is not less than helping one beggar on the street, but it is certainly a lot more…we must be strategic!
So, long-term, we are praying and asking God to help us establish (or partner) with a long-term mercy ministry in the city of Dublin that meets the real needs of the people in the city. The banquet helps us with research, both in preparation (as we go and speak to local hostels, the Peter McVerry Trust, The Simon Community, Focus Ireland, the existing food services in the city, local community centres, etc. etc.) and on the night of the banquet (as we chat to people who are the ones suffering, listening and learn from them so we have our pulse to the ground so to speak!). Additionally, the banquet helps prepare our hearts more and more for such a ministry longer-term, as well as building up this network of relationships and understanding.
(4) It’s good for us – ‘church’ is not about us!
We have always said right from the outset that we must not be a church for ourselves – we’re a church for the good of the city and we’re a church for the sceptic who is not coming to church at the moment. It is very easy for church to become about ‘my preference’ and what suits me. And of course, to some extent, we have to cater to the needs we have within our community and accommodate one another so that church is life-giving. But we never want to become insular, so for us to transform our regular worship service into a banquet for the homeless and be part of the organisation of the event and part of the event, getting to know the people…this is good for us. It reminds us what church is all about!
(5) It has great evangelistic power – in 2 ways
We’re called to share the gospel, and the banquet gives us this opportunity. Firstly, on the night of the banquet, we get to share the gospel with people by telling them of a God who knows them and loves them and wants to help them. We respect the integrity of the event, in that people are welcome for the food, music, warmth and friendship even if they have no interest in God whatsoever. But we always have a short talk and we want people to know the good news of Jesus who is the saviour, not us nor any human institution.
Secondly, Proverbs 10:11-12 says
When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.
In other words, when a group of people in the city are truly living “righteously” (doing good, caring for their neighbours, living justly, etc.) they will be of such benefit to the public good of the whole city that the entire populace will exult, feeling that their prosperity is a victory for everyone. So our desire at CCC is that people might say to us: “I don’t believe what you believe…in fact, I find some of what you believe offensive and narrow…however, this city wouldn’t be as good without your community…so you must stay and do what you do”.
Do you remember how 1 Peter 2:12 puts it
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
(6) It’s because we trust in a God who multiplies
Zechariah 4:10 says
Who dares despise the day of small things
In other words…whilst what we can do is small and will not in and of itself change the homeless crisis in Dublin and solve every social issue, it is just ‘the day of small things’ – God tells us not to despise the small offering we bring.
Do you remember the feeding of the 5000…Jesus took that small offering of 5 loaves and 2 fish and multiplied it, not only to feed the people physically but to feed them with himself, the bread of life who fulfils our hearts and desires and secures eternal life for us.
So may we keep doing our small part, not despising the day of small beginnings, because we believe in a God that can multiply our offering and, over the next 10-20 years, who knows what he might do through us as we depend on him, listen to our city and get to the know the poor in our city.
(7) Serving together as a team is strengthening & edifying
When this blog was first written (2019) it was just 6 reasons. But we have noticed over the years that there is a 7th major benefit of doing the banquet – we benefit greatly from working as a team to serve others. It strengthens relationships, it gives us a chance to utilise different gifts, it edifies us – as Jesus said ‘it is more blessed to give than receive’ (Acts 20:35) – that is our experience. There is a blessing from serving together as a church.
What can you do?
I hope you’re motivated and understand the short- and long-term reasons why we host 2 banquets a year.
So how can you help? In three ways:
(1) Spreading the word (one month to 24 hours beforehand) – In preparation before the banquet through advertising, flyers, building relationships and inviting people. Some of this happens 2-4 weeks beforehand as we go around local community centres and hostels and participate in the existing food service options in the city. Some of it happens in the 24 hours beforehand when we go around Dublin inviting people in the streets.
(2) Running the event (on the day) – there is a tonne of work on the day to get the place ready in terms of food, setting up the banquet, the music, the crafts for the kids, security, etc. etc.
(3) Friendship building (During & after the event) – this is the most important thing and why we do this event at all. We cannot solve every problem but we can offer community, friendship and love and we can start to build relationships with those that come. So come, sit at a table and chat to those who come. Get to know them, ask them questions, have fun with them, enjoy the music with them. And where appropriate and possible, follow up with them to meet in McDonald’s or invite them back to church.
Any questions or suggestions do let us know – admin@christcitychurch.ie
See when our Free Community Banquet is here – https://www.christcitychurch.ie/a-community-banquet/
We’d love as many of you to come along as possible, and if you’d like to help out – by bringing some food, helping to set up and decorate, or anything else, please contact Ola.
*Tim Keller – The way of wisdom, a year of daily devotions in the proverbs, December 6th. Also, see his book ‘Generous Justice’ for a biblical overview of why we must care for the poor