When the Members are the Missionaries . . . 
Introductory Session Following a Parish Covered Dish Supper

St. Anthony on the Desert, Scottsdale, AZ, 2/28/03 (90 minutes)– 45 people


Presentation

God is on mission

at work in the world

to make it a better place by overcoming evil

justice is the public face of love

where love and justice are blocked, God is working for change

where you meet love and justice, God is there

God’s mission has a church

the church does not have a mission

the church is the visible instrument of God’s mission

the church collaborates with any who work for greater love and justice

We join God’s mission in baptism

to make Jesus Christ known in deed and word

to love your neighbor as yourself

to strive for peace and justice

so, mission is “inreach” – “reaching into” God’s mission – rather than “outreach”

Jesus is most concerned about how we live from Monday to Saturday

Sunday is for direction and power to live that way

You have six mission fields

home – work – local community – wider world – leisure / re-creation – church

A spirituality for missionaries

coworkers with God

Jesus Christ, the victor over evil

Jesus shares his power over evil with us – “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22)


Interaction

What are you doing now to make life better

home – work – local community – wider world – leisure / re-creation – church

Group divided into six parts with each part given one mission field. Each person works privately for five minutes; then, share with the rest of their subgroup.

Ask: “Do you believe what you are doing there is part of God’s mission?” Yes or no or questions

Share as time allows – at least one from each of the six mission field – be free to press for specific actions. Next: which one or two of your mission fields are most active in? Share as many as possible


Closing

You need a vision that draws you on – every member on mission wherever they are all the time; and a structure – a mission statement calling for supporting the members in their daily living as Christians; and an action – the members discerning their daily missions in their mission fields.

Such a vision, structure, and action are tomorrow’s 3-hour workshop.

Remember the return of the 70? “Lord, in your name, even the demons submit to us.” You will say that too when the members are the missionaries


 

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