Meet Shane Claiborne

Meet Shane Claiborne, and here is just a small piece of his story. Shane lives in a "monastic order" in community and covenant with a committment to living like Jesus lives. His community reclaims food thrown out by restaurants and stores, he makes his own clothes, share a common car, washer and dryer, and grow vegetables to help feed the poor neighbourhood they live in. The took seriously the question, 'what if the stuff in this Bible is true?' and began to live it out intentionally. They believe in simple living and challenge issues of justice for the poor, grace for homosexuals, environmental stewardship, and find solutions for homelessness by giving up the couch in their home to people who have no home to sleep in.

Shane explains how he was profoundly affected by the plight of homeless mom and her children who had taken up residence in an abandoned church, and was facing eviction by the church. Shane and a group of friends took up residence with this family, drawing the attention of the media, politicians and the Philadelphia police. Eventually media attention died and the police arrested this group. While offers of legal help poured in for their support, they instead chose to be represented in court by a homeless man who declared to the judge, "These people were arrested for helping this homeless family and this is wrong. Defense rests." The judge declared, while staring into the face of this young activist sporting a "Jesus was homeless" t-shirt, "We know this young man has broken the law, but unless people break unjust laws we will never test the constitutionality of our laws." He declared them innocent.

The group talked and came up with this conclusion, "Let's stop complaining about the church we experienced and become the church we dreamed of."

He shared God's vision for redistribution...of justice, wealth, and resources, and I'm left wondering...

What would happen if I believed the Bible meant what it says? Would I own 4 coats while some have none? Would I throw out lettuce that went bad because we didn't eat enough fast enough? Do I live as simply as I should or am I a slave to consumerism and brand names? Do I care if the $2 I save on a piece of clothing was borne on the backs of child labour? It is hard to here the Word when I live in comfort and my wants satisfied.

On a side note for everyone who wants to justify their life choices by slamming a guy like Shane...He doesn't judge those who have and tell us we're all bad. That probably stings the most...

I can't do justice to the gospel this young man has enacted and affected in this world, but you can read more about his organization and the work they do...
www.thesimpleway.org
www.relationaltithe.com
www.ccda.org

Read his book... Irresistable Revolution

peace,
rZ

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