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Will Willimon. Studying the Bible as Wesleyans. Podcast.
Willimon was not directly talking about campus ministry, he was preaching on the success which started the Methodist movement and carries it to today. It was at the University of Oxford, where John Wesley was preparing for the priesthood, where the Methodist movement started. Wesley noticed the common people were not welcome in the Anglican Church. His work grew out of his great love for his fellow country men and women. It is interesting to note that Wesley was not interested in starting a new denomination. He died as a Anglican priest, Methodism sprang up later. Wesley aimed to build up the established church, not tear it down. The college campus needs to be (re)realized as a key place of revitalization of our denominations. College students have a keen sense of idealism, motivation, and enthusiasm to reform the church. They want to see their denominations be God’s agent in the world. Unfortunately, many denominations are reporting a staggering downturn in the number of young people entering ordained ministry. One of several reasons is the lack of voice young adults are allowed. Think about it, do you continue to share your ideas with someone who brushes you off/shoots you down every time? Yea, me neither. I am encouraged by the work of denominations, especially my state conference who is making efforts to create space for youth and young adults to voice their thoughts. Allowing open dialogue between churches and college campuses will foster a powerful combination of idealism and life experience. The combination will prompt change, with the knowledge of how to carry it out. The acceptance of the voices of college students as critics of the church will dissuade them from jumping the denomination ship. This is one way we provide our denominations a steady source of strong leaders for generations to come. |
Our pastor is doing a series around the mission of the church. In light of necessary budget cuts, the church is reevaluating our mission statement. Unfortunately, when the economy recesses, giving levels decrease, and thus, churches can’t spend as much. It’s the negative side of “trickle down” economics.
While I am fully behind our church’s mission, I got to thinking about missions statements. Every church has a unique and individualized statement. You will see them plastered on signs, bulletins, website, walls, etc. However, couldn’t every Christian church simply say, “We are about the Missio Dei.”
“Missio Dei” is Latin for “Mission of God,” and speaks about the work God is already doing in the world. The individual believer, local church, and denomination need not worry about what ministry they can do. Instead, the prayer becomes, “What is God already doing in me, my neighbor, this city, and the world.” Secondly, we ask, “Where can I join into your work in progress?”
A shift to a Missio Dei model for ministry could help struggling churches to reconnect with their community and local neighborhoods. The model would help large churches with budget issues to really focus their work. The inherent success of the Missio Dei lies in Christians leaving behind their desires for ministry and taking up what God is interested in doing. The model also brings balance. God does not work frantically. He is paced, focused, and takes breaks (see the Creation narrative in Genesis).
“It is not the church that has a mission of salvation to fulfill in the world; it is the mission of the Son and the Spirit through the Father that includes the church.” -Jurgen Moltmann, The Church in the Power of the Spirit
