Tuesday: Social Capital
“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold” (Prov. 22:1, NIV).
How does the concept expressed here relate to our community witness and outreach?
Image © Krieg Barrie from GoodSalt.com
What is “social capital”? When you make investments in a bank account, its value grows. Social capital consists of positive, productive relationships that are just as valuable as money in the bank. When you nurture rapport with community leaders, asking them what are the community’s needs, seeking their advice on meeting these needs, and then following up with action, you are building relationships with them. This is social capital. Each positive experience with them is like an investment in your relationship. Your social capital continues to grow, and you increase in value in their eyes.
The Church Manual reminds us that Seventh-day Adventists “should be recognized as outstanding citizens. . . in working for the common good.” We “should support by our service and our means, as far as possible and consistent with our beliefs, efforts for social order and betterment,” “maintaining an uncompromising stand for justice and right in civic affairs.”-“Standards of Christian Living,” in the Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual (Hagerstownk Md.: Review and Herald® Publishing Association, 2010, pages. 137, 138.
In addition to Jesus’ earthly ministry, Scripture gives other examples of what can happen when God’s people have acquired “social capital.” Read the following passages and describe the positive relationships these Bible characters experienced with “outsiders” and what happened as a result:
Of course, we might not have the kind of dramatic rescues and stories that are seen here. But that’s not the crucial point. These men displayed strength of character that impressed those around them. Ellen G. White states in Patriarchs and Prophets (pp. 217, 218, 221) and in Prophets and Kings (p. 628) that the following qualities among these godly men won the confidence and favor of the “heathens” around them: gentleness, fidelity, wisdom, sound judgment, abilities, noble dignity, and unswerving integrity.
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Yes this is true. In fact, I was concerned about the folks that I am surrounded by, I was just saying the storm is about to start. But the lesson study gave me some encouragement, it reminded me that even though people may act indifferent towards me, or do mean things, I should live the way God wants me to.
Daniel and Joseph are 2 examples of youth who loved and obeyed God in a strange land
They were courageous full of the spirit and they possessed excellent characters
May we all do likewise in our daily lives
Blesings to all
They (Daniel, Joseph, Nehemiah) all had a close connection with God. They communicated with God every day despite the circumstances that they were in. They kept the faith. God rewarded them greatly for their actions in their faithfulness towards Him.
The only thing that we will leave earth with at the "second coming" is our character that has been sanctified by by our victories, though God, over all of life's circumstances that "Satan meant for evil, but God meant them for our good". Sometimes it is most difficult to press on especially when we are affiliated with trials of health issues. Like as in the case of Job, God has to remind us who He is. He reminds us daily that if we remain faithful that there is a "better day" coming. Also that what we may have to endure here on earth is worth it. And through it all, one day, we will be able to sing the words of a song written by Elenoa Wright "I would not have it any other way".
We should be role models ...let christ in us be seen even if we are in strange land good deeds will out do the evil,so let us be true and honest to ourselves then God will let the light in us be seen and people may be drown to christ Himself.
We live in a world beset by social problems. Communities are suffocated by hunger, poverty, violence, bigotry and are bereft of the ability to extricate themselves from this situation. Christ showed us while He was on earth that He has the capacity to adequately meet human needs. He gave us the blueprint for addressing these. In additiin He has equipped His church with the ability/ skills to apply His solutions to human problems and become centres of influence for good. With that reality in mind, followers of Jesus working in His vineyard exist to help alleviate the plight of the poor, aged and disadvantaged members of society.(Matthew 25:33 - 46) To do this effectively and succesfully,the church needs to build social networks that will ultimately result in reciprocal productive benefits with communities they serve. In this way the church will become relevant, demonstrate its capacity to impact the lives of people positively and thus fulfil its mission on earth.(Luke 4:18).
The church becomes relevant when it's welcoming and accessible for communuty use; engage in transformational projects that enhance the lives of people; providing tangible support to the disadvantaged at a time of need/crisis; proving support for young people suffering the effects of parental separation; work with young people and families affected by substance abuse; help alleviate the effects of poverty by providing meals to homeless and poor people and equipping them with skills to ultimately help themselves etc
I have encountered the term "social capital" primarily when studying social networks such as Facebook, so the term is not a new one for me. Those who seek to be influential in the social networking scene understand the importance of two way communication. I can site case studies of large organisations that have not understood that to their detriment.
In the church environment we are often seen as one-way communicators. We have the "truth" and are determined to share it no matter what! Our language is often unnecessarily confrontational. Such attitudes make us appear elitist and arrogant and does not raise our social capital.
Significant changes in community perception occur when we appear to be part of the community. Those churches that open their doors to community activity during the week are seen as much more approachable.
One thing that we may like to consider is to change the role of church buildings. Rather than having a stately edifice that is used for a few hours each week, a utility building used all week and open to the community on Sabbath is much more inviting to the community. I have seen that happen in a variety of ways and it is a practical modern application of an ancient principle of hospitality. If we are appreciated for our contribution to the community they may just be willing to listen to us.
The explanation for "social capital" that is given may be a bit different than I grasped. There are applications that have potential that are worthwhile. Change that has the appearance of being radical would undoubtedly meet with opposition, especially certain age groups. Isolated sectors can have an impact, nothing ventured nothing gained.
I think it might be helpful to view "social capital" similar to deposits in a bank account.
We develop "social capital" in a community when we serve the community in a tangible way that people recognize as being helpful. This "social capital" translates into goodwill which makes people open to listening to us when we have something to say or even cooperating with us when we have something to do.
In our little town, we have now for five years or so put on a program we call "iLearn Street" which is a community service project where all sorts of government and social agencies as well as businesses demonstrate what they do for the community in a way that is understandable to children. (It is called "iLearn Street" because it was originally featured on a street that was closed off for the purpose. Nowadays, we do this on the local fair grounds on a Sunday. It is a one-day event, but it has created a great deal of goodwill/social capital for our church because people can see that it is a service for the community, not just something for which we plan to "get" something. One woman of influence spent some time observing our "church" station in which my husband and the first elder interacted with the children. I believe it was the year that the focus was on prayer. She later spoke to them and expressed that she was impressed that we did not just promote our church but pointed the children directly to the God who answers prayer. This event is unique and interesting enough that it generates a a fair amount of publicity in the local media. (I must admit that it was costly to begin. Now we get donations from local businesses to help with the costs which mainly pay for the attractions where children can "spend" the tickets they earn by attending educational booths. But even the collection of donations develops "social capital" because it is a way of developing relationships with local businesses and community leaders, such as the mayor.)
Ellen White used the term "disinterested benevolence," and I believe if we exercise "disinterested benevolence," we will develop "social capital" i.e. influence in our communities. "Disinterested benevolence" means doing good (benevolence) without expecting to get anything in return. How much of that are we and/our churches doing in our communities?
Please share regarding any "disinterested benevolence" of which you are aware.
This week I came across a parallel text that sounds very similar to Proverbs 22:1, where it says: "Better than much riches is a (good) name (reputation)..." In Ecclesiastes 7:1 it reads: "A good name (reputation) is better than (precious) ointment..." (As to cosmetical usage of precious ointment see Ruth 3:3; Matthew 26:7; John 12:3.) Both, much riches and precious ointment, are word pictures expressing the outgoing influence of a good reputation. In this discussion it is well noticed that a godly character is exerting a beneficial influence in society (Daniel in Babylon and Joseph in Egypt). The lesson also noticed that the rulers of those countries showed confidence in those men who exerted such influence in their surroundings. Whereas the gospel is all about restoring all things, lost by sin (Acts 3:21), the loss of confidence in this world also is the object and aim of restoration. As the lesson further points out, restored confidence in man, created in the image of God, has to be redirected to the ultimate confidence in God. This inspries us with hope.
Winfried Stolpmann
I just couldn't help but share this text with you this am. It is I do believe appropriate for today's lesson. As we are taking about today, I do believe we can confess Jesus without our mouth by our actions, disinterested benevolence if you will. All the while we are praying that the Holy Spirit will bring some one to us to confess Jesus to Christ to. Now our social mingling brought on by our disinterested benevolence, may lead us to someone we can use our God given boldness to confess Jesus to who may never have learned had it not been for our Holy Spirit led forwardness for speaking out for Christ. We don't need to be Monks hiding behind a social capital event, if the Still Small Voice is prompting us that now is the right time to confess with our mouth.
Good day.
KJV Romans 10
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
I need some help. I will like to know if invited to an event in the community, should Adventists attend that event? An event some may class as secular because of the music etc. I'm speaking about events such as a wedding celebration etc. not a party. I ask because some feel that we should decline because of the kinds of music or the food and beverages that may be served. But, some of these same people have jobs where they maybe the only SDA in an office
Of course Advetists should attend. Your presence at a community event speaks volumes about your appreciation of others. Obviously you need to be discerning, but for events such as weddings just being there indicates that others are important to you.