[Dialogue] What is a social pioneer to do?

[Karl Hess]

Dick,

Wonderful questions.  Our rhetoric of the '70's looks pretty naive, 
doesn't it - or at least our sense of the time scale over which it 
operates.  When we were in England a few years ago, I noted that from 
1000-1600 a substantial percentage of the kings and queens of England 
had been assassinated.  Since 1600 none.  One could say that 
represents progress, and suggests patience.

Skipping over the distinction between the invisible church and the 
organized church, I would suggest looking at Sojourners as a pioneer 
worth emulating - not just admiring.  And I just read that Rick 
Warren of all people is mobilizing his network (huge!!!) to take on 
the whole of Rwanda.  Certainly no results yet, but the talk is new.

Whether "society" is worth saving depends on your theology, whether 
you think you will save it or God will, and what you think of the 
people who are starving today, who do not have the luxury of 
speculating like this.  Maybe it is also worth rereading the 
Foundation Trilogy.

What would Spong do?

Karl

>  The following article is the most depressing I've seen to date. 
>Yet, I cannot take issue with anything here.  It is all too true!
>
>The "church" as social pioneer seems to do well at the local level 
>helping the poor and idsadvantaged.  However, I cannot seem to find 
>that "church" leading the way toward justice systemically.  In fact, 
>I can't seem to find anyone leading that charge!
>
>Maybe Daniel Quinn ("Ishmael") is right.  A few will simply abandon 
>the current system and let it decay into ruin.  I find myself 
>tempted.  How do you feel?  Is our society worth saving?
>
>Dick Kroeger