Reflecting on Faith: A CEO’s Call to Embrace Community Values

This past week marked the first anniversary of a CEO leading a significant faith-based mission that operates an emergency shelter, food pantry, and supportive housing apartments in the United States. Over the course of this year, a critical lesson has emerged regarding the essence of faith and community. The CEO reflects on a concerning trend within Western Christianity, emphasizing a shift from looking outward towards others to an inward focus on self-interest.

Faith’s True Message: Community Over Individualism

In a society increasingly preoccupied with personal gain and individual salvation, the CEO argues that the core message of Jesus has been misinterpreted. Questions like “How do I earn my salvation?” and “What has Jesus done for me lately?” dominate discussions, shifting the focus away from community and relationships. The CEO poignantly references the lyrics of country musician Toby Keith to illustrate this self-centered mindset: “I wanna talk about me, wanna talk about I.”

Jesus’ teachings, the CEO contends, were never about self-satisfaction. Instead, they were fundamentally about finding God in our interactions with others. “We will never find peace, or for that matter, prosperity, focusing on ourselves,” the CEO states. This sentiment resonates strongly in the current cultural climate, where many individuals grapple with spiritual, physical, and mental health challenges, often exacerbated by a culture centered around self.

Lessons from the Shelter Experience

Drawing from twelve months of experience in a shelter environment, the CEO has gained valuable insights into societal priorities. Observations made during this time suggest a significant disconnect between the values espoused in the Gospel and those practiced in daily life. “Kyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy,” the CEO expresses, calling for reflection and change.

In a recent devotion, Richard Rohr emphasized the importance of genuine connection, stating, “True union does not absorb distinctions, but actually intensifies them.” The CEO highlights the notion of “perfect giving” and “perfect receiving” as foundational principles in fostering authentic community relationships. This concept, while present in many faith traditions, appears to be more pronounced in Eastern expressions of Christianity, which place greater emphasis on community.

The CEO advocates for a reevaluation of priorities, urging society to learn from these faith disciplines that nurture communal values. The message is clear: to address the deeper issues plaguing modern society, a collective shift towards outward focus is essential. Only by prioritizing relationships and community can individuals find true fulfillment and purpose in their faith journeys.

As the CEO reflects on this transformative year, the overarching message remains that faith should propel individuals towards altruism and community engagement, moving away from the narrow confines of self-interest. The call is for a holistic approach to faith that embraces connection, compassion, and the shared responsibility of uplifting one another.