Tentative thoughts on Mission

God willing, I will be starting a course of study next year that will lead to a degree in 'Mission and Ministry'. Naturally, because I'm a reader, I've been reading in preparation for that. Over the last few days I've come across a couple of things which have resonated with me, and relate to Mission, in a way that is helpful. 

The first of these, perhaps appropriately, is a simple prayer. It comes from a rather obscure collection of prayers, in a slim volume entitled "Prayer Throughout All Ages". The collection brings together a wide range of prayers, and focuses on the Church Calendar. The prayer I found myself praying and resonating with is attributed to Bishop Westcott;

“O Almighty and most merciful Father, Who didst send Thy beloved Son to die for the sins of the whole world, look down, we beseech Thee, upon all nations who have not known His Name, and in Thine own good time lead them to His Cross. Strengthen with the comfort of Thy Spirit all who bear abroad the message of the gospel. Raise up among us a lively sympathy with their labours. Take away from those who hear all hardness of heart, and pride, and impenitence; and so move them, blessed Lord, with Thine infinite love, that the day may speedily come when all the ends of the world shall be turned into Thee, and there shall be one flock and one Shepherd; we ask all for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Bishop Westcott, A.D. 1825)” 

“Prayer Throughout All Ages”, (Churchman, Worthing, 1988), p. 101

I love this. I think its beautiful. It starts with the Gospel, and flows into the expression of Gospel love which is at the heart of the true Christian mission. And it ends as all things should, "for the sake of Jesus Christ". I don't know who Bishop Westcott was, but I love this prayer.

I've also been reading - and will review shortly - a book by a former Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, authored with his son Andrew. "We Don't Do God" is an interesting look at the way Christianity is approached culturally in the UK. Towards the end the Carey's nail the role of the Church, having examined the issues that can often unfortunately lead to Christians in courts;

"The role of the Church and the individual Christian in society after all is to be a witness to the love of Christ, not an advocate for a shrill and selfish culture of victimhood"

"We Don't Do God", (Monarch, Oxford, 2012), p. 123

Amen! I love that summary - concise and clear yet open to contextual interpretation and application. The mission of the Church is the love of Christ, no more, no less. It is nothing else. 

I'm excited to think and read more about Mission over the coming months. I hope you've enjoyed these two brief quotes/thoughts, and that the above prayer is one that can fuel your engagement with God's mission to his world.

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