I recall the 95/98 statistics we heard early on this course, which I think is extremely relevant to this session. We spend 95% of our time not in church, and 98% of us are laity. So we must reach into other places outside the church - places of work, or play ensuring that we can tap into the faith, courage and love inherent in all of us as disciples of God. I guess that is why all of us are on this course to help us on that path?
I'm reminded that the church faces significant challenges with falling congregations and less people now identifying themselves as religious (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63792408) so something needs to change.
The spotlight on doctrine in this session said that unless we (lay and ordained) work as equals, complement each other, become mutually accountable then we will never form Christian communities that can evangelise the nation - a powerful vision, but one that highlights how we must work together as Christians to do this. I know from my own experiences growing up as a Christian how this has changed (in a positive way) over the years and how we can as laity begin to realise we have a part to play other than just going to church each week and thinking that's enough. Reaching out to the community in different ways, based upon our calling and vocation - doing the things we love, and sharing that love with others is one way we can do this.
Why it refers to 'baptism mutuality' here - that it starts early on from birth, we are all baptised as equals on our journeys of faith and as disciples of God's mission irrespective of that our calling is. The attached Setting God’s People Free document is worth a read on this - I've copied below text I found especially relevant.
"As a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9), we are summoned – clergy and laity alike – through baptism to a common vocation of divine blessing that originates in Jesus Christ. Baptism is the mark of our incorporation into the life of the Church and a commissioning to participate in God’s mission in the world. As such, the Church, as the whole people of God, clergy and laity, gathered and sent, are charged with continuing Christ’s priestly work of blessing, mediation and reconciliation on behalf of the whole of humanity, to bear witness to, and participate in the mission of God."
What do others think?
We are all equal, we are all made in God’s image and are part of creation, and on a basic level we all have the same vocation, to live and serve God. How we are called to live our vocations may be different, but we are all part of one whole, and are dependent on each other. Simple?
Hi Phil
I couldn't agree more with you Phil and beautifully put. I think it's slowly dawning on all of us that our mission field is out there in the big wide world and not in our churches. in what direction this leads us remains to be seen.
Your right I do enjoy helping at the church a couple of miles away from home, it's in a particular challenging area and we don't really have to go out fishing because the fish come to us. People come to be fed and get a warm and some come just for a chat and a bit of company, whatever there back story we never judge. At the end of the evening we always pray for our guests some just laugh others are deeply moved. Three baptisms in three months isn't bad going it's very rewarding work.
Blessings Chris