In a Weird Place

So, after almost 12 years of being employed as a counselor at one of the premier residential homeless programs in my area I find myself without employment due to a disagreement over an agency guideline.  Being without leverage or power in the face of a formidable non-profit corporation I was escorted out of  their employment with only a two week severance - conditioned on the promise of not suing and only saying nice things - and a clear conscience - the clear conscience being the of utmost importance.

I find myself in a weird place.  I mean at my age (60 years old), with a family, a mortgage, normal day to day financial obligations (although I need to tell you that I embraced a very simple way of living several years ago as a part of my Christian faith and as a result I am not in consumer debt of any kind) I could end up on the doorstep of that same residential homeless program!  God has such a sense of humor, doesn't he?

I'm serious about God's sense of humor!  For some time I have had this gnawing sense that what I was doing in my counseling as a part of the "getting out of homelessness and be like us" program was not truly dealing with the core of poverty or homelessness but instead only choosing to manage it.  Certainly important, but insufficient I have come to believe.

And so, I am beginning to consider a ministry of presence and pastoral care to my homeless friends.  Loving them instead of merely trying to "fix" them.  Establishing true relationships with them based on an authentic love of God and love of people.  I just think Jesus would not be a very effective social worker or therapist with the mandatory "professional distance" ethic and all.   I mean he was so up close and personal.  The Gospels show example after example of his loving care, not "professional distance."

Yes, I'm in a weird place with little money or know how as to how to proceed in such a ministry.  I can say I don't think I'll end up homeless due to a loving, faithful, hardworking and employed wife - and the safety net of food stamps and unemployment compensation provided by the government - without which sustainability right now would be indeed much more difficult!

Anyway,  I'm asking for your prayers, your input and any support (emotionally, spiritually, financially) you can offer as I consider this potentially heart-changing ministry to the poor and homeless.  I'll keep you in the loop.  Thanks for listening.

Peace,
Dennis