We like stories with a happy ending.
Conflict is resolved and things are made right again.
However, real life doesn’t usually work that way.
And yet – God is working and there’s a story to tell, even though it may unfinished.
The Canadian church is in the middle of a story in regards with relationship to the First Nations communities.
We do not yet love each other as neighbours as God intended.
But there is progress – small steps in the right direction.
Ben Peltz, who runs ministries for First Nations people on behalf of VMC, has seen a gradual shift on behalf of Canadian churches in the past 12 years.
We started with significant historical ignorance and perhaps a good dose of apathy,
We moved towards “Oh that’s interesting. I don’t know much about that.”
Then a little further to “I don’t know as much as I should but I see the overall significance.”
And now, due to the discovery of the unmarked graves at residential schools in 2021, there is an increased awareness and an intentional desire within the church to address the broken relationship between us.
It’s not perfect.
Ben still encounters pushback from time to time, but is hopeful by the overall trend.
It’s moving in a good direction.
After all, loving our neighbour is the second half of the Great Commandment.
Let’s keep on – as we walk in step with the Spirit.
Step by step.
Learn more about Ben’s ministry at benpeltz.ca