GOING FURTHER
PLEASE NOTE THE "Bible Reading" OMISSION FROM STUDY 5 It should have read - Matthew 9: 35 - 10:1-14
Study (5) The Future Church
Over the centuries much has been written about the future of the Church, and despite it's ups and downs, it is obviously God's will that it goes on. Much of the material written is of a theological or structural nature and that is necessary, but at the coal face the future is simply and solely dependent on connecting with people. Let me give you three stories that profoundly illustrate this point.
The first comes from English urban theologian Kenneth Leech in his book, Eye of the Storm (DLT London 1993):
"It was the very ordinary life of this obscure London street which brought home to me the common-ness of grace, and the ordinariness of spirituality. I think I went there believing that I was bringing love, bringing intellect, bringing care, possibly bring Christ, to the deprived Cable Street community. I came to see that it was I that who was deprived, that it was I that was in need of their love and care, that Christ was to be found there and did not need to be brought in from outside, and that until that fundamental truth of God's presence and activity in the midst of the oppressed and downtrodden is recognised, all pastoral ministry and all religious life will be unreal." (Page 146)
Leech went to begin his ministry in the East End of London, believing that he had to bring Christ, and in that sense he believed he was the Church. Thankfully he came to the realisation that Christ was already there and did not need to be brought in. The ministry of the Church must think outside its structural framework and discern Christ in local communities.
The second story concerns St Francis and is entitled: "The leper on the Umbrian Plain".
One day Francis was riding on the Umbrian Plain, on his way home to Assisi. Though he too was struggling with God and destiny, he was still a rich man's son, and was fashionably dressed and riding a gaily-caparisoned horse. Then suddenly his horse shied under him, and he looked up to see the sight that he most feared in all his life, a leper. Then happened for him, as for is also, a tremendous event, for Francis, fighting down his loathing and his fear, dismounted from his horse, and going to the leper, put money into his hand. Then impelled by some power that had overcome his fear, he took the hand and kissed it, putting his lips to the leper's flesh. And the leper, seeing that Francis was afire with love, took hold of him and gave him the kiss of peace and Francis also kissed him also. Then Francis mounted his horse and rode back to Assisi with joy. From that day onwards he began to visit the lepers in the lazar house of Assisi, bringing them gifts and kissing their hands. He wrote in his will, 'the Lord Himself led me amongst them, and I showed mercy to them, and when I left them, what had seemed bitter to me was changed into sweetness of body and soul'. A Legend: Francis remounted his horse and rode away. Then suddenly he turned round, but there was no one to be seen on the road at all. Then he knew that he had kissed the Lord. (Page 139)
Young Francis had an amazing encounter and in a person where he felt least likely was Christ to be found. There he was! This kind story comes from a recent experience in a Neighbourhood House in one of Melbourne's northern suburbs. The House offers programs on literacy being taught by volunteers. Leading one of the classes was Bob, a retired teacher and a member of a local church.
The two students were Chris, a fifteen-year-old, and Steven, a twenty-five year old. Chris had rarely been to school since he left primary school because he couldn't read or write and similarly Steve couldn't either, and had recently been released from prison. As they sat there on this particular morning, Chris began to tell the others of his deep sense of hopelessness about going to school: the being made fun of, the taunts, the abuse and his feelings of anger and worthlessness. It was heart tugging stuff to see and hear this teenager pour out his feelings. There was a period of silence when he had finished, and then spontaneously Steven grabbed Chris and gave him an affectionate hug saying, "No worries mate, I've been through that, but you can count on me. We'll stick together".
Bob told me of this experience and said it was one of those "rare and serendipitous moments in life when you felt the presence of God invade the room and you realised this was what you were meant to be doing".
The Church, its mission and ministry must step outside its institutional and safe boundaries. Many Christians always and continue to do so. They are at the frontier of ministry and mission and will give the Church a future.
For Reflection:
In what ways can you identify with these stories / experiences?
Identify a friend or someone you know who does not have a close church connection and then ask them what they think about the future of the Church?
What is one suggestion that you would make for your church or congregation to address the future of the Church?