Serving the Community: The Poor and the Marginalised

The Book of Acts covers the work of the Holy Spirit in and through the Disciples of Lord Jesus Christ. The first several chapters reveal the growth of the early Church, as believers were added to the Church. Thus, the early Church community was increasing.  In the 6th chapter, we see that there was a conflict between the Hebrews and the Hellenists over language and culture. The Hellenists were Greek speaking Jews and the Hebrews were Aramaic speaking Jews. The Hellenists were complaining that the Hebrews were neglecting the Hellenistic widows, in the distribution of food. 

According to some scholars, ‘Widows’  in this context were the disadvantaged in some way in the Community– Distribution of food in this context meant divisions over social and cultural customs and practices.  The community of disciples resolve the conflict by creating the division of labour. The community selected seven men to serve at the table and thus, freeing the others to continue to preach the Word of God. Thus, equal status was given to both aspects of service.  

In Acts 6: 5-7, we see the list of names of men appointed for the distribution of food and their names are not repeated in the succeeding chapters. Stephen’s name appears again as the martyr and Philip as he shared the Word with the Ethiopian eunuch. Thus, the seven men may have continued serving the community of believers, an essential part of the Kingdom of God alongside preaching the Word of God. 

We shall look at the contemporary application and implication of serving the community, with special reference to the Poor and the Marginalised. In other words, the disadvantaged in some way, in the local Church Community, Denominational Community, Neighbourhood Community as well as in the Interfaith Community in the Indian context, which is pluralistic in nature – language, caste, colour, creed, cultures, etc. 

General Understanding of Serving the Community: Many Scholars have done research and published articles on serving the Community, in order to enhance our understanding, for plan of action. However, we shall look at the practical aspects that we have been witnessing in our Ministry daily over the years. Ministry, as we see daily, ‘is any act of kindness, with the redeeming love of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, that contributes to the benefit and welfare of people in the community’. ‘Care or Caring’ is an act of kindness in serving the Community.  This became vital and visible during the COVID 2019 period which continues.  

Besides, the recent Manipur case is another aspect that has drawn the attention of the Seminaries, to respond to the needs of Christian Community as well as the Meitei Community, both within and beyond Manipur. Serving Community through Care Ministry seems to be the need of the hour.  

Understanding the Care Concept: In order to understand the concept of Care, we need to look at CARE from various perspectives. Let us look at the following perspectives:

1. DICTIONARIES :  It is helpful in understanding the meaning of CARE – both in Noun, Verb and Adjective Forms.   

a. NOUN: CARE is the provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance and protection of PEOPLE or/and THINGS. For example, THE CARE OF THE CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE, ADULTS, etc. Another example, THE CARE OF THE DISADVANTAGED – THE POOR AND THE MARGINALISED.  Another example, THE CARE OF THE FAMILY.  One more example, THE CARE OF THE CONGREGATIONS, etc.,

CARE involves –safe keeping, supervision, custody, charge, protection, control, guidance, management, responsibility, guardianship, wardenship, provision of care, looking after, parenting, mothering, fathering, concern. Consideration, attention, attentiveness, thoughtfulness, respect, etc.

b. VERB: CARE is feeling concerned about God’s creation – human life, people, plants, animals, something. It is feeling concerned about ourselves. It is showing interest in people whom we are looking after, It is providing for the needs of the people or plants or animals, etc. It is fulfilling the responsibilities of giving care to people or something or some tasks.

c. ADJECTIVE: CARING is displaying kindness and concern for others. For example, this person – he/she, is such a caring person and he/she has a kind word to everyone. Another example, this person is loving, understanding, considerate, empathetic, sympathetic, gentle, treating people with respect, generosity and kindness. 

2. PSYCHOLOGICAL CARE OR WHOLESOME CARE OR WHOLISTIC CARE: is the culturally sensitive, provision of care for meeting physical, psychological-mental and emotional, social and spiritual needs through nurturing and healing communication, by Individuals, Parents, Family, Care Team, Community, etc.,Psychological Care is like a CIRCLE and it is also known as ‘Holistic Care or Wholesome Care’ ..wherein the needs are met with an integrated approach.  

Maslow’s Hierarchy of five needs show us the needs of people from childhood, adolescence through adulthood stages  The basic survival needs are the first of the five – physiological needs that include Food, Clothing and Shelter.  However, this does not include meaning or purpose of life, without which, a person cannot have joy or peace. 

Maslow’s  Hierarchy of Needs theory is a comprehensive , humanistic and developmental theory of motivation. Although it has implications for counselling and education, as well as in the field of organisation and management, its limitations seem to be in the lack of clarity about how other basic needs were selected and ranked and why some needs, for example, spiritual needs, were not included. Also, it rejects divine revelation and any notion of dependence on a divine being.  

This pyramid theory has been modified in the Indian context, particularly in relation to Care Ministries  while keeping in view the basic understanding of people’s needs. These needs are met using integrated approaches in real life situations, as they are interconnected, in various contexts, namely – Family, Faith Communities, Educational Institutions, Hostels, Care Providing Homes, Hospitals, Orphanages, Care Centres, Rehabilitation Centres, Half Way 

We need to plan for meeting the physical, mental, psychological, emotional, social and spiritual needs of the Poor and the Marginalised people in each community in order to serve them effectively.  

a.   PHYSICAL NEEDS: Physical Needs (Physiological Needs) are central to human functioning.  In order to sustain ourselves physically, we need food, clean water, clean air, shelter, sleep, exercise, health, hygiene, temperature, etc.,  

b.  MENTAL NEEDS: all forms of Cognitive Needs - knowledge, meaning, understanding, reasoning, etc., Mental health is emotional, psychological, and social well-being.  

• It affects how we think, feel and act 

• It also helps in handling stress, relating to others,  and making choices and decisions.  

• Mental health is important at every stage of life, 

• from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

c.  PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS: Life is never 100 per cent perfect, but as long as our main essential needs are being met, and our resources are being used well, we do not suffer mental/psychological health Psychological Needs include:

• The need for attachment. 

• The need for orientation and control. 

• The need for self-esteem enhancement.

• The need for increasing pleasure and avoiding pain.

d.   EMOTIONAL NEEDS: We are all born with essential physical and emotional needs and the innate resources to help us to fulfil them – known as human ‘givens’ – which need to be met in order to facilitate good mental health.  Following are the ten main innate emotional needs:

• Security–safe territory and an environment which allows us to develop fully

• Attention (to give and receive it) – a form of nutrition

• Sense of autonomy and control– having volition to make responsible choices

• Being emotionally connected to others 

• Feeling part of a wider community 

• Friendship, intimacy– to know that at least one other person accepts us totally for who we are

• Privacy– opportunity to reflect and consolidate experience

• Sense of status within social groupings

• Sense of competence and achievement

• Having meaning and purpose – which comes from being stretched in what we do and think.

e.   SOCIAL NEEDS: Belongingness, love, affection, intimacy, family, friends, relationships, self-esteem, self-confidence, achievement, recognition, status, respect, etc.  We all have these needs which should be met at different stages in life from Childhood, Adolescence through Adulthood. 

• Social development is the development of social skills that are needed to relate to people and strengthen relationships. 

• Social development also involves developing empathy and understanding the needs of others.

f.  SPIRITUAL NEEDS: Every human being needs spiritual resources to help heal the painful wounds of grief, guilt, resentment, self-rejection, shame, arrogance and unforgiving spirit, We also need spiritual resources to deepen our experiences of trust, self-esteem, hope, joy and love of life.  

Spirituality means different things to different people. Religion and faith might be part of someone’s spirituality, but spirituality isn’t always religious. Everyone has spiritual needs throughout their lives whether they follow a religion or not. Spiritual needs can include (www.mariecurie.org.uk):

• the need for meaning and purpose in our lives

• the need to love and feel loved

• the need to feel a sense of belonging

• the need to feel hope, peace and gratitude.  

In view of the above discussions, CARE is providing care to the people in order to meet their physical, mental, psychological, emotional, social and spiritual needs, simultaneously, in the Community. Care providing approach varies at different stages in life, namely – childhood years, adolescent years and adult years.  

Care is provided for the development and empowerment of people- belonging to all age groups, by the entire family and community, wherein, mixed age groups care for one another and themselves, too.  Providing care is a continuous process that takes place daily round the clock, in various ways in every context.   Care becomes meaningful with love, concern, understanding, firmness and creative discipline.

Implications of Care Ministries in Specific Contexts: The entire Community, in any context, plays a powerful role in the process of caring and it is in the community context that the people receive insight, support and opportunity to express their uniqueness as people growing towards Christian maturity. However, implications of Care Ministries in the Communities are dependent upon their particular needs – both general and age groupwise. Nevertheless, trusting the Holy Spirit is the need of the hour, to meet all the needs of people, definitely based on the Spiritual needs.  Sharing the following for further understanding.

Serving the Christian Community:  In the present context, serving the Christian Community continues to be our primary focus. We do this through Preaching-Kerygma, Teaching-Didache, Worship-Liturgia, Service-Diakonia and Fellowship- Koinonia, they go together with equal status. During COVID19 period from 2020 to 2022 Church Denominational Teams, Inter-Church denominational teams and Individual Christians Teams Served Families who lost their loved ones and who were unable to take care of their medical expenses, with the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. During 2023 May till today, Churches, Christian Families and individual Christians served the Christians and the Meiteis in Manipur as well as the Displaced Manipur Families in various parts of North East India and the rest of India. The concept of Kingdom of God has been more visible, vital and vigorous from 2020-till date in the Body of Christ – both locally and globally.  

Serving the Manipur Christian Community now: is a big challenge. Zoom Sessions and Physical Sessions are needed to empower, equip and engage them continuously. Volunteers are needed. More prayer support is needed, too, along with financial support, due to uncertainties and the future seems to be bleak and blank. 

Serving the Community of Faiths:  Diakonia is the need of the hour due to Government laws and policies today in the Indian context. Trusting the Holy Spirit, we need to obey the Law of the Land implicitly. God is no one’s debtor. Believers are added to the Body of Christ. I have many Case Studies from our Networks Members but I am unable to share due to security reasons. Truly, the Lord Jesus Christ is the One who builds the Body of Christ. Halleluiah. 

CONCLUSION:  Who are the poor?  Who are the marginalised? We need to define and identify in our own local Church contexts, in the neighbourhood, in our locality/province/in our country and worldwide. Any community that is disadvantaged in some ways is the WIDOW, to be cared for or to be served. May God help us accept the Disadvantaged people as they are, understand them and their needs in order to empower, equip and engage them, in the Kingdom of God.  Amen.