The following article, entitled 'Choosing Mission Over Affinity' is from the blog 'Mere Mission' (July 15, 2007), in the context of thinking about what it looks like to missional communities to navigate a communal life without defaulting to consumer-oriented affinity. I concur with the article's sentiments:
"I am not inclined to advocate individual engagement with those it’s hard or unnatural relate to. To be sure, this is what local expressions of the Church ought to be doing, but doing together. There’s nothing wrong with cultivating relationships and growing in love with those to whom it’s easier or more natural to relate. However, if those clusters of disciples aren’t moving out together and seeking to engage people unlike themselves - those it’s more difficult to love, then there’s probably something lacking in terms of their Christ-centerdness.
"Affinity may indeed be one the hardest obstacles to overcome in suburban contexts, but if we are to embody the Kingdom of God for the sake of the world, it’s something we must grapple with together.
"I am not inclined to advocate individual engagement with those it’s hard or unnatural relate to. To be sure, this is what local expressions of the Church ought to be doing, but doing together. There’s nothing wrong with cultivating relationships and growing in love with those to whom it’s easier or more natural to relate. However, if those clusters of disciples aren’t moving out together and seeking to engage people unlike themselves - those it’s more difficult to love, then there’s probably something lacking in terms of their Christ-centerdness.
"Affinity may indeed be one the hardest obstacles to overcome in suburban contexts, but if we are to embody the Kingdom of God for the sake of the world, it’s something we must grapple with together.
