A Letter from Bishop Chris (August 2024B)

Friends,

As he was ascending to Heaven, Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20).

Notice that Jesus told his followers to “go and make” disciples. He didn’t say: Stay and be disciples, but go and make them. It’s vital that we recognize there’s an outward movement to Christ’s Great Commission; there’s an outward movement to discipleship.

For too long, discipleship has been equated with knowledge accumulation and doctrinal development and it has focused on our church buildings. While learning is certainly part of our faith life, we’re called to be disciples who make disciples of others. What we learn in church is meant to be shared. I’ve noticed Christians who never move outward in their discipleship end up fruitless and spiritually stagnant.

What’s interesting is that it’s in the act of reaching beyond ourselves that we actually become more of who God created us to be. It’s when we live other-focused rather than self-focused that we are transformed into Christ’s likeness. I know personally I grow most and learn most when I am helping others.

What I’m describing is a missional life. And it’s not as complicated as you might think. In fact, here are a few ways you can live missionally without even adding to your schedule:

1. Eat with other people

We generally eat three meals a day. That’s 21 opportunities for missional engagement each week without adding anything new to your schedule. Catherine and I regularly seek to eat with our friends and neighbors.

2. Be a “regular" somewhere

Adopt a cafe, pub, park, shop, or gym that you regularly visit and become known as a local. Be intentional about knowing those who work there and those who frequent the place. Be friendly. Tip well. Look for opportunities to speak about God and to pray for people.

3. Leave the house in the evenings

It’s easy after a long day to slump in front of the television or surf the internet. Get out! Visit a friend. Take food to a neighbor. Attend a local group. Go for a walk with someone. It doesn’t matter where you go as long as you go with gospel intentionality.

4. Serve your neighbors

Weed a neighbor’s garden. Help someone move. Put up a shelf. Volunteer with a local group.You can do this one evening a week or one day a month. Try to serve with your small group so you share a common project and so that together, you apply the Bible you are studying. People will see your love for one another and it will be easier to talk about Jesus.

Let’s be a diocese that practices what we preach by living missionally in the world. Let’s be people who joyfully and faithfully move outward in our discipleship.

Blessings,

+Chris