Today while traveling to Denver, Colorado—by airplane, of course—I read through a book I first read when it came out in 1974. A book on a phenomenal social action congregation, Gideon’s Gang: A Case Study of the Church in Social Action, is an inspirational book for those who take special purpose congregations seriously.
I loved this book when I read it in seminary. It talked about commitment. While not necessarily the flavor of commitment at all points I would personally choose for my own congregation, the principles surrounding the unique ministry of the primary congregation discussed—The Congregation of Reconciliation—are very much on the cutting edge of Christian ministry.
Their overall focus was racial reconciliation which is obviously a theme I would fully embrace. Their specific, most noteworthy social activity I still laugh about. I experienced it before I knew about the congregation and this book.
It related to the perceived collusion of an American-based corporation with a foreign government in several African countries. The company was Gulf Oil. The country was Portugal. The action was to place round orange stickers that said “Boycott Gulf” in Gulf service stations restrooms throughout the country.
I saw those! My family traveled a great deal. We often stopped at Gulf service stations. Usually we had to use the restrooms. Often the stickers were there. I never understood why. [If the Internet was in existence then I could have found out.]
Ever since then I have always wanted to be part of a congregation that had a special, focused purpose and an impact far beyond its size and scale. I have experienced that in part in various congregations. There is much of life left. One day yet I will be part of such a congregation.
How about you?
