G.R.E.A.T. Class

Rob McRight, Graduate Student at Vanderbilt Law School and Vanderbilt Divinity School and Ministerial Intern at Vine Street Christian Church, invites you to a discussion group on Wednesday nights at 5:15pm, starting March 24 and/or Sunday mornings at 9:30am, starting March 28.

God, Rob, Economy, Action, Theology (G.R.E.A.T.) Class

This four part discussion group will explore how the church exists in and responds to economic systems that include conditions of poverty and need.  In particular, we will focus on continuing ministries here at Vine Street including: local outreach, Fair Trade coffee houses, New Orleans mission trips, and Week of Compassion support.  The context for our discussions, however, will be both local and global.

• Taking for granted a rapidly expanding global market, how do individuals, Vine Street, and the church universal remain faithful to Biblical mandates to love our neighbor? 
• Do our ministries need to be “sustainable” as well as compassionate? 
• Why do we do the kind of outreach we do and how do we measure success?

Each week we will explore a specific question with scriptures for reflection and a reading germane to the topic.  Each class will include a brief review of the topic and several questions for conversation.  No expertise is required.  Our goal is not to find the answers but instead to consider the questions.  For additional information and for access to the suggested readings, please get in touch with Rob.

Class One—Wednesday March 24^th at 5:15pm and Sunday March 28^that 9:30am

Question:  What does the Christian life have to do with economics?

People, within and beyond the church, often discuss that which is religious apart from that which is secular.  On the one hand is faith and on the other is business.  Are the two easily differentiated?  Should they be?  Specifically, does our Christian journey have something to say about what we consume, what we purchase, and how we live in the market?  Should the church approach the market differently?  What does that look like?

Texts for reflection:  Luke 12:13-21; Matthew 22:15-22

Reading: “The Church as a Household of Life Abundant: Reimagining the Church in the Context of Global Economics.” In Theology That Matters: Ecology, Economy, and God, edited by Darby Kathleen Ray. Fortress Press, 2006

Class Two— Wednesday March 31^st at 5:15pm and and Sunday April 11^th at 9:30am

Question:  Should Christians support Fair Trade?

Fair Trade is a means of exchanging commodities aimed at paying fairer wages to producers and creating sustainable economic systems.  Vine Street has committed to selling Fair Trade products, especially coffee, at coffee houses and other events.  But what do we mean when we say something is Fair Trade?  Are other products “unfair” trade?  How does Fair Trade labeling work?  Who exactly is being helped and how?  Why do we or should we support Fair Trade?  Is it really a sustainable system?

Texts for reflection:  Deuteronomy 24:10-19; Malachi 3:1-5

Reading:  Laura T. Raynolds, “Poverty Alleviation Through Participation in Fair Trade Coffee Networks: Existing Research and Critical Issues.”  March, 2002.

Class Three— Wednesday April 7^th at 5:15pm and Sunday April 18^th at 9:30am

Question: What do Christians do about the 9^th Ward?

Vine Street and numerous other faith based organizations have supported the development and redevelopment of New Orleans.  For Vine Street this has meant localized rebuilding efforts a week at a time.  What about large-scale development?  What role should government have in development?  How should the church advocate for New Orleans?  Should we help rebuild houses in the 9^th Ward?  What if we don’t think it’s a good idea?  Should that matter? 

Texts for reflection:  Amos 9:11-15; Ezra 5:1-11

Reading: TBD

Class Four— Wednesday April 14^th at 5:15pm and Sunday April 25^th at 9:30am

Question:  Why do we support Week of Compassion?

Week of Compassion is the Disciples of Christ relief, refugee, and development fund.  Week of Compassion partners with organizations around the world to provide disaster relief and development efforts.  Vine Street and many other churches support Week of Compassions ministry.  But what does Week of Compassion actually do?  Who are its partners?  How does it choose partners and what work is actually being done?  Does it matter if those partners identify themselves as Christian?  What does it mean to be a sustainable ministry and how important is that?  How should Christians approach outreach and development ministries? 

Texts for reflection:  John 21:15-17; Matthew 28:16-20

Reading: TBD

If you have any questions about this discussion group, please get in touch with Rob McRight.