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Making Apostles
- Date: Fri, Jul 23, 2010
- Author: Paul Forman
As we sat at the breakfast table this morning, Kathie and I watched a mother flicker land on our suet feeder. Soon two baby flickers appeared and lined up on the rail below the feeder with up turned heads and open beaks. A blue jay chick observed this and went and got in line—head up, beak open. Unfortunately some squirrels arrived and the scenario never got played out.
Now I am sitting at my desk at church and reflecting on the moment. We do a lot of spiritual feeding of our own kind. How much feeding do we do for others? An author I read recently suggested that the church needs to stop making disciples and start making more apostles. In that person’s thinking, disciples are students of the master who spend their time learning while apostles are those who are sent out to spread the good news of God’s present realm. In the world of the Bible and in our world today, there are those who are hungry for the good news that we tell each other—the news of God’s love and forgiveness, God’s extravagant welcome and inclusiveness regardless of who one is (gender, age, religious background, opinions, marital status, sexual orientation, education, economic circumstances) or where one is on their spiritual journey (believer, seeker, doubter). That is the good news that we print weekly in our worship bulletin.
We use our buildings during the week for sheltering homeless women, caring for young children, providing community for persons trying to beat addictions, giving bus tickets and food to others but do we invite those who come to our church so often to join us for worship and hearing the good news? Many people walk past our church to get to work or return home. Are they invited in or do they know that they would be welcome?
Church growth experts say that most people come to a church because they have been invited. Have you invited anyone to come to church with you recently? Have a new neighbor or friend? A favorite grocery clerk or bank teller? A new tennis, golf, or bridge partner? With a new church year and new church leadership coming soon this is a great time to invite someone. What could the church do to help you invite someone? How can we equip you to share the good news?
These are the scripture readings in the Revised Common Lectionary for the forthcoming Sunday:
Luke 11:1-13
The Lord's Prayer
11:1 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say:
“Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread,
4 and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.”
5 And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
