Ministry of Mercy

Published: April 13, 2021

In response to a recent article in the November issue of Christianity Today, GC religion professor, Dr. Joe Culumber, wrote the following letter to the Editor of CT.

In Luke's narrative of the Christmas story, Mary exults in God's mercy "to those who fear him from generation to generation" (Luke 1:50). When John the Baptist is born, Elizabeth's neighbors and relatives rejoice that she too has been shown the Lord's mercy. The theme continues in the ministry of Jesus as He extends mercy to the poor, prisoners, the blind, and oppressed (Luke 4:18-19).

The emerging generation of young evangelicals demands a faith that takes compassion seriously. They are looking for a faith community that is intentional about expressing mercy and extending God's justice. A recent cover story in Christianity Today (November 2009) highlighted the expanding ministry of Jars of Clay (a contemporary Christian musical group with Greenville College roots). They are one of many such groups who are now both making music and making a difference and are closing in on their goal of bringing fresh water to 1,000 African communities. The cover story was entitled "Songs of Justice, Missions of Mercy."

I was struck by this article because ministries of mercy are at the heart of the Wesleyan tradition and central to my work at Greenville College. As a professor of religion, I am always thrilled to teach about John Wesley's insistence that while "works of piety" (prayer, Scripture, sacraments, fasting, etc.) are vital to discipleship, so also are "works of mercy." Wesley asserted that both are means of grace for the Christian. He took the words of Jesus quite literally, insisting it is the "plain duty" of every believer to care for the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, strangers, the sick and imprisoned.

At Greenville, we elevate this theme through our COR program for Freshman. COR is designed to help students understand the integrative nature of their liberal arts education and brings students and faculty together in a collaborative experience that integrates multiple disciplines, values and theory during all four years at GC. Students explore the biblical mandate for such initiatives as mercy, and then have opportunity to minister directly to the homeless on the streets of St. Louis. One student, reflecting recently on such an experience, wrote that it had "awakened a feeling in my soul - an inclination, an urge, a drive; something that felt like the birthing of a passion." Her response resonates with the words of the prophet:

He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. - Micah 6:8

I am inspired that Christianity Today wrote a cover story on this issue and is encouraging fellow believers to acknowledge and support these efforts. As a Christian community that strives to teach and practice these principles, GC inspires students to perform missions of mercy along with those, such as Jars of Clay , who are catalysts for widespread action. Together, we can all be agents of compassion and mercy.