I have often found in churches that there can be two sorts of people: firstly, those who get involved in God’s mission in the world; and secondly those who believe they should be involved, but are not. You cannot read the Bible without encountering God’s call and challenge to his people to be part of the world He created. From Genesis, where man is called to care for the world, to Revelation where we see God’s people ultimately triumphing with good over evil, the story is consistent.
The call to be involved and to be part of the answer to the problems of the world was ultimately modelled in Jesus’ life. Jesus gave himself to others both in his ministry and in his death. There can be no doubt in our minds that we will be judged by our response to the needs of others and there can be no doubt in our hearts that God is with those who suffer.
So, for the first group of people, church is very frustrating. For them, church seems to be a place of inward-looking, parochial trivia and seeming irrelevance to the world outside its walls. To the second group, there is the occasional excursion into mission, and a nagging guilt about avoiding the issue, but overall, they feel can feel an overwhelming helplessness and ignorance about what to do and how to make a real difference.
Churches throughout history have been agents of miraculous works of mission, bringing untold benefits to others, both locally and internationally. Despite their tendency to introspection and procrastination, and usually in a poorly organised and coordinated structure, Christian people have come together and allowed God to use them in the world that He loves. Can this be true for Holywood Parish?
Our three-year development plan deliberately waits until the third year before we look outwards. We wait, not because it is least important, but because this exercise is most important. The year of ‘Family and Faith’ is designed to build solid and growing foundations for all generations that will not be swept away in the challenges that serious mission activity will undoubtedly bring. Next year’s emphasis on ‘A Past and a Future’ will encourage us with the stories of God’s blessings in the past and his plans and hopes for us in the years to come. With a firm foundation of faith and with a direction which builds on our rich heritage, we will be able to confidently engage in God’s world. We will find the part that we together can play in our community and in the world and, as individuals, we will discover what is God’s calling upon our lives.
This third year will take both planning and preparation. Perhaps it will involve a parish trip to another county to serve and learn from others. It might mean inviting others to join us. It will mean a good look at the world of work to which so many of our parishioners are called; the same calling that was given to Adam in the Garden of Eden. It will be a year in which we will seek to understand our contibution to the community of Holywood as we work with the schools, other chuches and community groups for common aims.
Are you excited by the prospects of a year of mission. Then, perhaps you can help us dream dreams and plan for 2012. Please let me know.
- ROGER
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