"The poor have the gospel preached to them." This prophecy from Isaiah which Jesus fulfilled must inform the new evangelical vision. For too long, evangelical (and other) churches have "followed the money," leaving inner-city neighborhoods for suburbia. If these moves were required for economic and convenience needs to insure the survival and growth of those churches then their own orthodox theology did not impact their interpretation of Jesus' ministry to the poor, the outcast, the disenfranchised; or else they consciously chose to ignore this substantial aspect of Jesus' ministry. In all honesty, where would Jesus feel more comfortable on a Sunday morning? sitting on a cushioned pew in one of these magnificent edifices? or out walking and talking with the homeless?

It is a huge challenge and there are no simple solutions. But evangelical churches cannot claim great success in their endeavors if one social stratum is being entirely neglected. To thrive on ministry to the well-heeled is to fly in the face of Jesus' teachings and ministry. We have to admit that much success in these churches is due to and reflects the success of the American economy and, like American society, is accepting of a certain percentage of persons who won't be able to share in the prosperity. Biblically, however, it is to these persons that we owe the focus of our ministry.

The working class in our society are in need of a liberating gospel, a gospel which speaks to their condition and gives them the hope of Christ in the midst of their struggle, even if it does not immediately deliver them from their economic stress. Unfortunately, the gospel they see all too often seems geared to the rich and famous, or at least to the well-educated. Think of the waiters in restaurants making $5 an hour plus tips who work on Sunday due to the church-goers who come in at noon. What is their feeling toward the gospel? (especially if the tips are small!)

Neglecting a substantial social stratum of society will eventually reap the judgment of God, by his allowing such a policy to run its course, which surely will end in the collapse of society itself, due to economic and moral failure. Upscale churches cannot forever exist in isolation from that stratum of society they have chosen to ignore. God, who hears the cry of the poor, will not permit it.