The Fifth Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 6A), June 15, 2008
BCP: Exodus 19:2-8a; Psalm 100; Rom. 5:6-11; Matt. 9:35-10:8(9-15)
RCL: Gen. 18:1-15, (21:1-7) and Psalm 116:1, 10-17; or Exodus 19:2-8a and Psalm 100; Rom. 5:1-8; Matt. 9:35-10:8, (9-23)
Let’s face it. Modern Episcopalians tend not to be very talented at sharing the faith that’s within us, either individually or as a group. Our much touted Decade of Evangelism in the 1990s netted us a decrease in both baptized membership and Sunday attendance. And perhaps as a result of the negative publicity with which we increasingly tend to bring upon ourselves, a recent study has identified us as the fastest-declining “major” denomination in America.
Yet today’s gospel makes it clear that evangelism is the Church’s primary ministry. Jesus commissions his disciples to spread his message of reconciliation. “As you go,” he directs them, “proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near’” (Matt. 10:7). For the accomplishment of this urgent work, we’re told, Jesus “gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out” (10:1). “You received without payment; give without payment,” he exhorts them (10:8).
Among the ministries of bishops, the Catechism lists “act[ing] in Christ’s name for ... the building up of the Church.” Similarly, the work of priests and deacons is “to proclaim the Gospel” (BCP, pp. 855-6). And however much the ministry of the laity has been touted in the past few decades, many in the Church apparently still believe that the clergy are our evangelists. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Statements from cathedras and pulpits can certainly have incredible power, but they seldom draw any outsiders into the fellowship of the body. Far more frequently, words spoken by the clergy are the catalyst for longtime members to leave the church. And however positive a spin the clergy might put on this, it works out to be negative evangelism.
Some half of all Americans are today unchurched. Of these, “more than 80 percent ... say they would come to church if someone they knew invited them” [TLC, March 16]. Clergy, by and large, simply don’t know these folks -- but the laity do. To paraphrase Hymn 293 in The Hymnal 1982, they’re neighbors and coworkers and classmates and friends. They meet them in lanes and in school and at tea. And there’s not any reason, no not the least, why lay people shouldn’t take for themselves the mantle of evangelism.
In terms of faithfulness to the Savior’s commission to the first evangelists, lay people don’t get paid.
Look It Up
How does the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) relate to our ministry of evangelism? Are Christian souls just interior realities, or do they spill out into our everyday lives?
Think About It
How have I shown Christ to someone in my life during the past week? What opportunities have I missed where I could have done this?
Next Sunday
The Sixth Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 7A), June 22, 2008
BCP: Jer. 20:7-13; Psalm 69:7-10, 16-18; Rom. 5:15b-19; Matt. 10:(16-23)24-33
RCL: Gen. 21:8-21 and Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17; or Jer. 20:7-13 and Psalm 69:8-
11(12-17), 18-20; Rom. 61b-11; Matt. 10:24-39
