FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
poor and dysfunctional individuals and families that rarely darkened church doors. Familiar! Secondly they have made mistakes. Being different invites controversy. Being controversial, for whatever reason, invites comment, attack and abuse. People under attack can appear to be — and indeed often are — highly defensive. Shutters go up, doors are closed and an apparent elitism can result. Controversial people have to pray for the wisdom of Solomon if they are going to be influential. New movements are usually a prophetic reaction to the dull, dry and boring church that surrounds them. But the time for action can unintentionally become a reason for reaction — which is quite different. Demonising the opposition and lack of humility (with even a whiff of superiority) can mark the early years of such a movement. I was around in the early days of the New Church Movement (house churches) so I know. It is an almost inescapable situation for such pioneer groups. Thirdly they reach the untouchable. Part of the ‘difference’ and ‘controversy’ is that the Jesus Fellowship and Jesus Army is filled with people found on the streets or in a broken state. They not only get the emotional, spiritual and relational help they need, but the Jesus Army provides jobs for them in their many businesses. This is a holistic approach to the gospel and discipleship. Small wonder occasional problems among such a group hit the press. If most churches had such a high percentage of untouchables, I suggest they would do no better than the Jesus Army. The likelihood is that they would fare much worse. 11