Restoration is Our Goal

Almost nine years ago we founded Common Ground Montgomery with "restoration" in mind. We were called to locate in Washington Park/Gibbs Village as our geographical focus, but restoration in every area of the lives of all who choose to participate in this ministry is the hope and prayer of our staff. We assume much and trust God for much. We assume that we ALL need to be restored and that this is a life-long process and that God is so powerful and big that He can do whatever He wants, when He wants, and how He wants. 

We assume that every person that chooses to get involved (staff, pastors, donors, teachers, volunteers, board members, mentors, friends, family, neighbors) have deep, broken, messed-up places in their inner lives that need restoration. We believe He has chosen to use as primary instruments broken, weak, needy, humble people and the relationships they enter into as the ground for His powerful work and transformation. 

     

Restoration is not necessarily the same thing as good programs, busy ministry initiatives, self help, disciplined lifestyles, education, accumulation of wealth and status, and/or success; it is more. 

   
When we talk about restoration some people act like it's something to "go back to" - like speaking of times 40 or 50 years ago when the community was not violent, when people left their doors unlocked and kids were disciplined by parents and community alike. Some talk of getting back to "what this country was founded on" and argue restoration to a Christian nation. But in every generation massive injustice, sin, and oppression was practiced to and by many, notably even those who claimed Christ. 

     

 Restoration is more than relative peace, safety, and diminished mass shootings, crime, and terrorism. God says, through Paul, that he is restoring to the rightful places love, relationships, marriage, sex, language, money; ALL things. 

   

This is the goal. It matters that kids have access to the opportunity and healthy environment for their development into the creative and equipped Images of God that they were made to be.                      

   
Restoration is absolutely NOT a short term thing. 

     

It's why "door-to-door evangelism", or "drive-by evangelism", is not enough - great and needed as it is, but only a beginning at best. 

     

Restoration into the redeemed image of God is the goal. 

     

People experiencing restoration are the kind of people who love as they have been loved; nothing else will be enough. Those kind of people and families cross all lines and move toward others in humility who won't move towards them (because nothing else will be enough: no government reconciliation policies, no calling the "other side" out through social media, and no mainstream media rhetoric will ever be enough). I am grateful for the actions of policy makers and non-violent protests because they have accomplished great systemic change, which is needed, but it will be ineffective by itself in changing the hearts of people. 

     

Only God's work, in the hearts of people who are able to move towards one another in deep humility will accomplish Kingdom trajectory changes. This is where restoration comes in. God chooses to do this, I earnestly believe, in real relationships. 

     

He is after utter wholeness. 

     

He is after deep change. He is after bringing light and His presence into the deepest, darkest, most hidden, most defended, and most broken parts that we still all have as followers and "saved" people.        

These are the relationships we seek to create through living in this community, through creating space for friends, family, teachers, tutors, coaches, mentors, kids, adults, different races, different cultures, and those with all kinds of different Christian traditions, to be together and to truly connect in consistent and lasting time together; to be restored together. It is so painful at times. It is so sad and frustrating. But, my friends, it is so very worth it. 

    

I think this is what Jesus notes as "fruit that will last," at least, as we abide in Him and abide together. We will not have heaven here, of that I am sure. But I think we can have so much more than the poverty we all have accepted. What if there are, in increasing measure, beautiful expressions and experienced glimpses of the Kingdom of God that serve as a growing foretaste of what's coming on that future glorious Day? 

     

     Thank you for helping us create space, time, and an environment where God is doing beautiful things among us. Your partnership is deeply necessary and the chosen instrument God is using. You are literally: called, sent, and the very answer of our prayer. May God continue to bless your help and sacrifice. 

Founder and Executive Director of Common Ground Montgomery, Bryan Kelly, along with his wife, Delta, and four boys, believe they have been called to become part of the fabric of Montgomery’s Washington Park community for the purpose of its transformation. Find our more about Common Ground Montgomery