A layman serves people in poverty -- and offers them shelter from the storm

[littlemissmartypants]

A layman serves people in poverty -- and offers them shelter from the storm. by: Yonat Shimron

?itok=8Ky2VCa7
Randy Evans at the meal and service he offers to people who are poor on the waterfront in Wilmington, North Carolina. Photos by Alex Maness

When Hurricane Florence pounded the North Carolina coast, Randy Evans opened his home to people living outdoors. That act of hospitality exemplifies his ministry, which offers community and friendship to the poor.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2018
Randy Evans has spent the past three years accompanying people who are homeless.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays and every other Saturday, he cooks them a hot meal. Other days, he visits their encampments and listens to their stories.

As relationships form, he’s there for them. He drove one man to Fort Myers, Florida, to get a driver’s license, and another woman to Philadelphia to get her birth certificate. He’s welcomed people to his home for showers or to do their laundry. He’s found day jobs for some and rooms to rent for others.

But when Hurricane Florence barreled toward the Carolinas in September, Evans, a 35-year-old United Methodist layperson who lives 7 miles from the beach in Wilmington, North Carolina, realized he needed to assist his homeless friends in a bigger way.

After quickly deciding to evacuate his wife and great-nephew, who lives with them, he began collecting food -- cans of tuna, breakfast bars, bottled water. Then he moved most of his furniture into his garage and began to spread the word. If people couldn’t or wouldn’t take cover in one of the city shelters, they were welcome to stay with him.
Snip...
Much more at the link.
https://www.faithandleadership.com/layman-serves-people-poverty-and-offers-them-shelter-storm

♡ lmsp

[unc70]

1. Several good points in the article

Particularly about the choice of language.

[guillaumeb]

2. From the article:

His ministry, Walking Tall Wilmington, is still fledgling. This year’s budget of $30,000 comes from local businesses, churches and a United Methodist conference grant. Evans doesn’t take a salary but uses some of the budget to pay for his travel and the food he prepares. He has an eight-member board and about a dozen people he can call on to help him when the need arises.

[littlemissmartypants]

3. And?

[guillaumeb]

4. He is actually a clergymember.

But the article was very good.

[littlemissmartypants]

5. Why do you think that? Rev. Baker disagrees with that notion.

"The idea is to shift from “working for” marginalized people to “being with” those same people. Instead of rushing in to provide food or housing or jobs or transportation, Christians practicing this approach stand alongside their brothers and sisters in need, befriending them and forming relationships. Theologians sometimes call this type of work a “ministry of presence,” but at its best, it is a gesture of Christian witness."

I have reread the article and am not seeing anything in it that suggests that he is a clergymember. That notion seems to be contrary to the approach and philosophy of the organization.

He presents as more of a semi religious activist. The services, if there are any, are performed by clergy but not by him. He may aspire to be clergy and exists in a sort of church or religious no man's land. But he does not have the credentials nor does he behave like clergy and it appears that he is rejecting the patrimonial, paternalistic hierarchy consistent with the clergy vs. flock relationship.

I think you have missed the point if indeed you did read the full article.

[guillaumeb]

8. I read all of it, including the part that describes it as the Walking Tall Ministry.

That might be the fault of the author, but the word ministry generally connotes a religious connection.

[Major Nikon]

10. It's not the fault of the author

Clergy and layperson are generally mutually exclusive. Those who perform work in a ministry are one or the other. My dad’s church had several people who were referred to as layman/layperson/etc. it was a title that designated them as someone who performed work for the church, but wasn’t paid and couldn’t officiate ceremonies.

[Mariana]

11. It doesn't matter what Rev. Baker thinks, or Mr. Evans either.

Gil knows better than all of you.

[trotsky]

12. Precisely.

And with gil there's the added element of making sure religion gets extra credit for anything it does right - but blame shifted to "human nature" or "both sides" whenever religion gets it wrong.

[Major Nikon]

13. Anything wrong is the fault of the devil

And the devil has no greater tool than atheism. That's why more than a few religionists hate atheists even if they don't admit it. We are the cause of hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, AIDS, and teletubbies. Well more specifically their imaginary friend is the cause because he's pissed at atheists.

[Mariana]

14. But we deserve it!

All those fine Christians who get creamed by Acts of God (so to speak) are just collateral damage.

[Major Nikon]

15. Mysterious ways

[marylandblue]

16. I think atheists actually are responsible for teletubbies

A religionist would be afraid to make a show about such hellish freaks.

[Mariana]

6. The article clearly describes Mr. Evans as a layperson. nt.

[guillaumeb]

7. The article also talks of his ministry.

He may not be ordained, but.....

[Mariana]

9. So what?

It's common in some Protestant denominations for laypeople to call any faith related activity a ministry.