The church is the community of God’s people-a community with a divine purpose, abundant gifts, and a place for everyone to belong and to serve. The core value of Interdependence stresses the importance of living in community, acknowledging and relying on all of God’s people, and collaborating effectively with its talented and committed members. (From the DeVos Urban Leadership Core Values)
Mutual dependence on each other; on the entire Body.
CORE VALUE TEACHING:
Many of us who have relocated into urban communities to live and work with the poor and disadvantaged have often discovered that we are the ones who are lacking when it comes to understanding the power of interdependence. Individuals who know they have financial, social, and spiritual needs learn to depend on one another for survival, and in the process they discover that we all have to lean on one another.
Before we can truly help others in ministry, perhaps we must be willing to allow others to help and minister to us first. Maybe we need to be open to learn from each other and to be vulnerable in such a way that other people know that we need them.
Jose Luis, Maricruz, Aurelia, and their families, have been living a life of interdependence since they all became followers of Christ through their children. Their children began to attend a Summer Day Camp, much like the one many of us run every summer in our ministries. They were loved. They had a great time with peers and with caring adults, and they opened up their hearts to Christ. Before long all of their parents also began to show an interest in the gospel, and eventually they became members of the church family that reached out to their children.
Today, as they continue to walk with Christ, they also have committed themselves to caring for each other, because as they adjust to life in a new country, they have encountered many challenges. They have become “family,” not only on Sunday morning, but every day of the week, as they care for one another’s children, help each other find jobs, lend and borrow cars, share meals, and serve one another in endless other ways.
While Aurelia goes on a weeklong mission trip to Chiapas, Mexico, the rest of the crew will step in to take care of her five children. When Jose’s car breaks down, he will have the use of someone’s car. And when there is need for prayer and support, you can bet that someone will show up to spend some time in prayer. There are many tears and much laughter shared among friends. I’m not sure if this small group of believers could tell you the definition of interdependence, but they could certainly show you what interdependence looks like.
From the DeVos Uban Leadership curriculum