The Missional Church

Our Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Michael Curry, has been proclaiming that we are “the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement.”  By that, he is reclaiming our identity of being part of the early movement started by Jesus Christ in his earthly ministry and passed on to the apostles and to the communities they helped establish.  These communities were not created to begin a new religion, but to follow “the Way,” that is the way of life Jesus preached and taught to his followers – to love God, love your neighbor and love yourself.

In our post-Christendom society (i.e. where faith is no longer a priority in many people’s lives), the Church is looking to reclaim relevance and impact.  We cannot depend on the model that people will come looking for us because we have something they want.   Rather, we need to be more like the members of the early movement and find ways to go out into our community and share Jesus’ message of redemption and love.

That sounds like a great idea and yet terrifying.  What do we bring with us?  Where do we go? What if they don’t want to hear from us?  All of these are practical questions – all of which Jesus answered when he sent out his first disciples.

Luke 9:1-8
Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. He said to them, ‘Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.’ They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

It seems that Jesus sends his apostles out with nothing, but he did give them “power and authority” – essentially he gave them the Holy Spirit.  He also required them to have faith in their mission, that no matter where they were led, they would know what to do – tell about the “Realm of God” or walk away if the message was not being heard.

How can we at St. Barnabas model this risk taking?  We can start by finding opportunities to serve our neighbors wherever they are.  That might be in South Brunswick or New Brunswick or at work or at school.  It can be helping at a food pantry or telling someone your faith story (that is how the Gospel story intersects with your life). It is about learning how to live into our Baptismal Covenant promises in authentic ways.

Two weeks ago we celebrated the day of Pentecost when the Church became the inheritor of the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit given to those apostles in Luke 9.  We need to own our authority and be bold.  That does not mean condemn.  That means to reach out in love and solidarity in a world that seems to have less patience and tolerance for the very ideals we yearn for – truth, connection, belonging.
It is time to think big and risk big.  No idea is too strange or weird.  Let’s brainstorm of what this missional identity can be at St. Barnabas.  Let’s join the Jesus Movement!

In Christ,

Rev. Valerie+

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