I believe in the Church. I believe it has more potential than any other entity in the world to bring about change. I believe in the promise of Acts 1:8 that we will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us. I believe that the local church is to be a microcosm of the universal Church―a group of student-followers of Christ, ministering to one another and impacting the outside world (see 1 Corinthians12:12-31).

But I also believe the Church is failing miserably. One area of failure is the Church's response to issues of poverty and justice. The Church has a clear mandate in Scripture to take seriously the plight of the poor (see Isaiah 58:6-10, Micah 6:8, James 1:27; Matthew 25). As disciples of Christ, it is not an option: part of our faith journey must be about justice among the poor.

“ 'Holy solitaries' is a phrase no more consistent with the Gospel than holy adulterers. The Gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness. 'Faith working by love' is the length and breadth and depth and height of Christian perfection.” — John Wesley

What is the Church known for today? From my perspective, the only time we get any attention is for what we are against―issues such as same-sex marriage. But what are we for? Do we stand up for justice? Are our voices heard when people are dying in our streets every day due to oppression? Do we get outraged when welfare rates get cut?

According to James 1:27, “religion our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” While the Church may have begun to take seriously issues related to orphans and widows, it has not yet realized that it is being polluted. Right now, we're no different than the rest of the world. For example:

1. Many Christian professionals who make six-figure salaries are still fighting with everyone else for a raise. (Not that there is anything wrong with making that much money, but it's wrong to be claiming that this is not enough.)

2. Our church members are still driving SUVs to church and throwing recycling in the garbage. How can we worship the Creator and destroy the creation? Is this not hypocrisy? Just depositing a can in the recycling bin is an act of worship.

3. Many Christians keep buying more expensive houses, installing security alarms and putting up big fences and “keep off the grass” signs. How can we find out who the widows and orphans are in our community if shut ourselves off?

4. Christians shop at Walmart and other large corporate entities that only exist for profit. These companies move into communities, destroy small businesses and build factories in Third World countries that hire poor people to increase profits and decrease prices. Yet the Church does not speak out when they move into our communities. However, if I were to try and build a shelter in a community there would be such a public outcry that it would be impossible to open the program.

Not only does the Church refuse to support to these kinds of issues, it often joins forces with groups advocating against it. I was once involved in opening a new program when the usual community demonstrations ensued. “What about the safety of our children?” residents cried. (Has anyone noticed how unsafe schools are these days?) “What about our property values?” When we spoke to the leader of the protest group, we noticed she was wearing a “What Would Jesus Do?” bracelet.

What difference can we make in the world if we worship money, material things and personal security over God?

Why would anyone want to join the Church if we are as polluted by the world as everyone else? What difference can we make in the world if we worship money, material things and personal security over God? Why would God pour out his Spirit on us if he is second place? If we don't love our neighbour as ourselves, what is it that we are about?

We will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us. Then we can make a difference. Then we will be known for what we stand for more than what we stand against. Then people will start to flee to our churches for safety and community when they are feeling abused, scared and lonely, rather than fleeing to our streets or turning to alcohol, drugs, sex, TV and Walmart for companionship.

Too often we have sacrificed our communities, the environment and our integrity as a church on the altar of consumerism. Some of our sacrifices have been human; they are the poor. Let's start naming our idols. Let's start preaching from the pulpit about issues of justice and poverty. Let's start holding each other accountable for the way we live our lives. Then the Holy Spirit will pour himself out on us and we will receive power to change the world.

Dion Oxford, along with his wife, Erinn, and daughter, Cate, live in Toronto and are committed to journeying alongside people in the margins of society. Dion and Erinn have spent a combined 30 years working amongst folks who are living on the streets of Toronto. Dion is the director of Gateway, a Salvation Army shelter for men experiencing homelessness. He and his wife see the solution to homelessness as the church taking seriously the two great commandments of loving God and loving our neighbours. He likes to read, write, fly kites, cycle long distances, watch TV, play in his band and hang out with his friends.