There is no place for spectators in the missional church – all who respond to the call of Christ are sent into the world to be participants with God in God’s redemptive mission. Now at first, even as I make this statement, it sounds biased towards those who are able, and so perhaps even a bit harsh – what about those who may be unable to actively participate, those who may be struggling, those who are weak, those who are in need to help, those who require care – is there no place for them in the missional church? I guess it all depends upon what we mean by “participating with God in God’s mission” and how we think about those who require care in our midst?
I believe not only those who give care, but also those who are recipients of care in the church, are participating with God in God’s mission. It is a misunderstanding to think of those who are recipients of ministry are spectators and those who “do” ministry are participants. I understand a spectator to be someone quite different – not even on the giving care – receiving care continuum. A spectator is someone who is not involved. They sit on the sidelines or in the stands observing and they do not contribute to the ministry of the church. They neither give nor receive – they are just watching, seeing what is going on.
It is erroneous to think that only those who are doing are participating with God in God’s mission. This understanding has more to do with our Western bias that only those who are doing are productive or contributing. But that is to misunderstand what it means to be the community of Christ Jesus in the world. Those who receive ministry or receive care are also actively engaged in participating with God in God’s mission. Those who receive care, by their presence help shape the church be missional – to pray for one another, to care for one another, to share or carry one another’s burdens, to express grace, hope, love, peace, to offer comfort, strength and support. The body of Christ, at any moment, is filled with persons who require care and those who have been strengthened by the Spirit of Christ to extend care.
It is in this way that the church is a sign, foretaste, and even instrument of God’s present and coming reign. What does it look like for a community of Christ-followers to show the presence of God’s reign in the world? We reveal that we are the community of Christ by loving others and being there for one another in difficult times. We show what it means to be human under God’s reign by loving and caring for one another, as well as being loved and being cared for by others. It is in caring for and being cared for that the community of Christ reveals a different way of being human in the world – a way of being human that is in communion with God – the Trinitarian community.
Those who participate with God in God’s redemptive mission of making all things new are not only the ones who “do new life-giving acts,” it is also the ones who are the recipients of “new life-giving acts.” Jesus was most able to demonstrate the presence of God’s reign through those who were sick, blind, deaf, in prison, oppressed – those who were in need of being made whole. Those who claimed self-sufficiency, the “I don’t need any help, I am here to do” often found themselves not in need of a “physician,” opposing Jesus, becoming the enemies of Jesus.
I once read that Mother Teresa was asked what kept her ministering to the poor of Calcutta. She responded it had little to do with her desire to do good. If that was all that motivated her, she would have quit years ago; rather, she saw Jesus in the life of every leper, every beggar, everyone who was “the least of these.” Her life and ministry was dedicated to ministering to Jesus who was to be seen in every life.
Indeed, throughout Jesus’ ministry he not only cared for others, he was also cared for (cf. being housed and fed throughout his ministry, his feet being washed and anointed with perfume by a woman prior to his betrayal and crucifixion). Revealing and living out God’s mission in the world requires us to be both willing to give grace, as well as to receive grace. In this way God’s presence and God’s reign is manifested.
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Roland,
ReplyDelete"It is erroneous to think that only those who are doing are participating with God in God’s mission." I like this.
We may think missional applies exclusively to doing something outside the four walls of the church. But what goes on inside the church as we care for others is just as missional ("By this shall all men know you are my disciples...). The church is by nature and at least in part a redemptive community. And if part of the definition of missional is working with God in his redemptive actions and efforts, I firmly believe this goes on inside our churches too; at least, I hope so.
"Those who participate with God in God’s redemptive mission of making all things new are not only the ones who “do new life-giving acts,” it is also the ones who are the recipients of “new life-giving acts.” well said.