I remember the earlier days of ministry when I used to be rather bold in my undertakings. I'd think nothing of walking into an orphanage or a drug rehabilitation centre, just to connect with the people there and to make them my friends. Or to walk along the streets of the city and to have chats with the beggars I saw there. It was very much a regular feature of my life. It was, in fact, a lifestyle.

But it was quite a high price to pay to live such a lifestyle. The fact is, a Christian who lives a lifystyle like this does not live within the normative prescription of urban Christianity. So in the process, I got some very painful kicks in my behind from my church leaders. As an urban Christian, I was taught to pursue the good life: to amass wealth, to pursue upward mobility, and in the process convert some people and take them to church... all for the glory of God!

Over time, I "matured". I learned to conform. Even when I did go connect with people in those places, I did it silently, as if it was a wrong that I should hide from the knowledge of my religious community. This was my sincere way of abiding by the orders of my leaders: "You're a very threatening character, did you know that? Don't rock the boat!"

But recently, I'm challenged all over again as I observe a faith community - in the heart of an urban area - gearing themselves up to go out into the slums. Care to participate in Soul Action?

It's not just about us helping downtrodden people who need some love and help. It's also about us finding the magnitude of our own love challenged for God and our neighbour. Just when you think you love deeply enough, you realise - through these interactions with the unloved and the unlovable - that your love isn't nearly as deep as the way God would have you love.

We have a lot to work on. Before we even think of gospelising the world, I think the modern church needs to work on thoroughly gospelising herself first. Learn from those who're doing it right. If you ask me, I'd say this is ultimate spirituality. It's not merely about dispensing the sacraments, but about being in the world as real sacraments of Christ, dispensing the grace of God in real time to real people.

It's not about religion, it's all about soul.