Facebook is all a buzz about Kony 2012 (watch this video to see what people are buzzing about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc). The question for us is how should we respond?
It seems to me like a lot of Christians are jumping on the Kony 2012 bandwagon. At the same time with success comes an onslaught of backlash. So, before ordering their 'action kit' or slandering Invisible Children (organization behind Kony 2012) we should first research the organization and the project then respond biblically.
If we take Invisible Children at their word (which we should unless otherwise proven), we see that they are primarily concerned about raising awareness in hopes that the populous will pressure political powers to assist local governments in arresting Kony and disarming his army. They are also funding some practical programs to help locals organize and bring restoration to broken communities and people. Their spending reflects these priorities. Their own release in response to the backlash helps explain this and other popular thoughts/accusations (read that publication here: http://www.invisiblechildren.com.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/critiques.html).
So what should the Church do? As always, we go and make disciples. Really? Yes. If all we did is combat the symptoms of sin, not only would we never get ahead of evil, we'd see both offender and victim spend an eternity in Hell. That being said, God often leads us to communicate the Good News through acts of kindness (responding to symptoms... bringing social justice). For example, we will be lead to help a village install a well and then talk about the spring of water welling up to eternal life (Jn. 4).
The next question is how do we 'go and make disciples' in this situation? The answer is we don't; unless we are invited. Our Churches need to talk with local Churches in afflicted and surrounding areas so we can discover if assistance is needed, and if so, what type of assistance will be appreciated. I know of one solid Christian leader in the Congo that is an active missionary and a national (i.e. not looking at things from Western eyes). He spoke at our Church last year. My plan is to contact him along with our National and International offices to see what local Churches are requesting in terms of support.
We can pray (often undervalued and under-utilized) for all parties involved and send words of encouragement to local Churches. Local Churches will hopefully add specifics that we can add to our prayers. Regarding our response to Kony 2012, local Churches in afflicted areas may say that Kony 2012 is a great thing, a 'couldn't hurt' thing, or a bad thing. They may also have better organizations to accomplish the saving of many and the ending of Kony's social injustice. They could also request the sending of resources such as funds for projects, ministry training, curriculum, manpower, etc. From here we can respond appropriately.
My prayer is that wisdom and discernment would be given to both Churches here and there. My prayer is that the Church in afflicted areas will rise up in boldness to take the Gospel to Kony and his soldiers. My prayer is that the Church in afflicted areas will rise up with strength to love, comfort, defend, and help the hurting. My prayer is that hearts would be softened to God and one another. My prayer is that Christ in us would break our hearts for the lost and the hurting.
To turn up the heat on discussing the big questions this situation raises (we should be discussing them and thinking biblically about every situation)... if the Church backs a war on someone who kills children, what is the Church to do about abortion doctors and policy makers? Every situation requires a unique response. Let's turn to Scripture, listen to the Holy Spirit, talk with those involved on the front lines, develop a biblical plan (which might be supporting Kony 2012), and then act.
This is my response to Kony 2012. And to think that Kony's actions are just a scratch on the surface of a world filled with death and despair. May I seek the Lord and be obedient to His will.
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Articles for or on the Kony 2012 backlash
http://visiblechildren.tumblr.com/
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/invisible-children-in-the-spotlight/article2362416/
http://himawarinochiheisen.xanga.com/759663964/the-lra-ic-updf-and-what-i-think/
http://www.invisiblechildren.com.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/critiques.html
http://blogs.hbr.org/pallotta/2012/03/the-kony-2012-controversy.html (added 3/14/2012)
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/15/opinion/kristof-viral-video-vicious-warlord.html?_r=1 (added 3/16/2012)
Articles on Christians & War
http://www.summit.org/resources/truth-and-consequences/should-christian-go-to-war/
http://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=16-03-045-f
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/1998/issue58/58h022.html