Faith in Practice

"... and it came to pass ... that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him."

God: "Where is Abel thy brother?"

Cain: "Am I my brother's keeper?"

God: "What have you done?"

We all get angry at one time or another, but what drives a man to such anger that he believes taking another man's life is worth forfeiting his own?

The answer lies somewhere in the heart.

Today, our Anniston community — particularly the black community — has a heart problem.

Our beloved city has seen eight murders in the first four months of 2008. The city had eight murders in all of 2007.

This isn't just a problem that has affected the families of the victims. Family members of those who have been arrested as suspects also are devastated.

The situation is so dire that Anniston Funeral Services director, Minister Jeffrey Williams, is actually working against his own business to save lives.

"I don't need the business that bad," he was quoted by The Star as saying.

Williams and local pastor Frederick Durant, coordinator of Anniston Funeral Services outreach ministry, are leading a charge to mobilize the community to address crime.

But what does it mean for ministers to "address crime?"

Anyone who has seen the change that Christ has had in their own lives can affirm that conditions in Anniston won't change until hearts are changed.

But those who need to be reached have no reason to listen to us talk about Jesus if they never see Jesus in us.

Specifically, Williams said in a phone interview this week, ministers need to do more with the youth in our communities and be positive male role models.

"Get out of the pulpit and talk to people around their respective communities," he said. "Let people touch you and see you. Get out among the people."

Simply put: Be like Jesus.

Our Lord and Savior left the comfort of glory and dwelt among men that we might come to trust him and be saved. When he was criticized for dining with known sinners, he said it's the sick, not the well, who need a physician. (Matt. 9:12)

A doctor who won't take his cure to a needy patient is not much of a doctor. As ministers, we must have the courage to venture into areas where death frequents because we have the words of eternal life.

And, while most of the murder victims have been young black men, this isn't just a black, west Anniston problem.

The city this year has seen numerous shootings, robberies and other acts of violence that, thankfully, were not fatal. But the victims and suspects have been of various races and backgrounds — and from both sides of Quintard Avenue.

This is a community problem, and men of faith from all over the city are needed.

"White ministers are welcome to assist in the effort," Williams said.

Now is the time to get involved.

When we're lamenting Anniston's crime statistics at the end of the year, as ministers we'll have to all ask ourselves the question God asked Cain.

What have you done?