THE MISSION DIMENSION OF THE CONGREGATION WITH A NEIGHBOURHOOD FOCUS

Preamble
The 21st European Lutheran Conference met 3-6 June 2010 in Porto, Portugal, under the theme ‘The mission dimension of the congregation with a local neighbourhood focus’. We considered the importance of mission from a number of perspectives. It is our wish that the insights we have received be shared with our churches and used for discussion at the congregational level.

Whether the mission concept is one of ‘go’ or ‘come’ we considered some of the intersections of the Church with the world and what this says about our identity and purpose and tasks. Our theme was divided into 6 sections which, while not exhaustive, gave us much to discuss.

1. The mission focus of the congregation
Key point: The mission of the congregation is to kill and make alive in Christ.

The purpose of mission is not to reform or get people to live better lives or to impose our culture on them to make them like us. The purpose of mission is to use the Law of God to crucify all their (our) idols and then proclaim the Gospel to give them new life in Jesus through the forgiveness of their sins. Mission is not about changing people’s behaviour but giving new life in Christ.

2. The parishioners in mission
Key point: All believers in Christ by living in their relationship with Jesus are involved in mission.

Nurtured and sustained by Jesus who dwells with his people through Word and Sacraments, Christians go out into the world each week from worship to bring the presence and blessings of Jesus to the world. Mission is about identities and being who we are. As we live our baptismal identities in our stations of life (cf. Luther’s teaching on vocation) so Jesus is in the world drawing all people to him.

Mission is not to be a programme for increasing church attendance or increasing giving but is our involvement with people by serving them. In doing so, we share God’s grace. We recognise a tension that exists when pointing to Jesus that it might suggest that our relationship with others is just preparation for a ‘sales pitch’. We value the counsel to ‘preach the gospel at all times and when necessary, use words’ (St Francis) and to speak about Jesus when invited to do so but we also acknowledge that there can be moments when we should take the initiative and invite people to ‘come and see Jesus’. We pray to the Lord of the harvest to send workers into the harvest field and to give us the eyes to see how best to serve our local neighbourhood.

3. Involving the children
Key point: Children’s abilities to learn are endless and as the Church remains close to them and builds on their curiosity so their future is formed.

We share a common goal and vision for children and realise that no matter the size of our churches we share similar difficulties and joys. All means of presenting and teaching the Word are important. Even those things which seem not to speak can speak to our neighbour. Children are encouraged to be present more and more in the church and also to be given increasing responsibility for the shaping of their programmes.

We must never forget that the world is full of temptations. We must put our heads together to advance and adapt all the resources we have for children. ‘And calling to him a child, [Jesus] put him in the midst of them and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.”’ (Matthew 18:2-5)

4. Involving the youth
Key point: The Church is the people of God sent to announce Christ`s love and forgiveness to all. The youth are the Church and are part of this mission and they should not be treated as ‘different people’ in the Church.

For that reason, Lutheran Congregations should remember that there are some important factors that contribute to more effective participation of the youth in its mission activities:
1 - Youth need the example, understanding, and contact with adults in the congregation who as role models are also people they can count on;
2 - Youth need to feel useful in the congregation and are motivated when assigned with useful tasks and invited to take part in the decision making in the church;
3 - Youth need to have their own activities (eg. meetings, retreats) where fellowship is developed; they need approaches that help them understand Christianity, their role in the Church and how Jesus can change their lives;
4 - The Church can motivate the youth to develop their gifts for the work of God;
5 - Youth should be involved in mission activities where they can use their talents. They are encouraged and motivated when they see the effect that God has in other people's lives;
6 - And most importantly, the Church needs to be alert so that her youth are fed with and prepared by the Word and Sacraments.

5. The Church and the Arts
Key point: 2000 years of responding to the Word made flesh has produced a wealth of artistic expressions that have influenced and shaped cultural identity and the Church would do well to remember such history in any discussion on mission.

Take a fresh look at the expressions of the visible Word of God in all the Arts including church architecture; sculptures in church and cemeteries; visual arts in galleries and museums; music whether it be opera, rock, soul, or pop music; and literature including poetry and theatre. Take a closer look and say aloud what you see, hear and discover and speak about what you think of it. A practical suggestion for each congregation is the production of a written guide or booklet of your church and its ornaments.

6. The Church in the Public Square
Key point: The Church is to be where people are.

The Church (una sancta) is hidden in the world and we are members of it by faith in Jesus Christ. The Church is visible everywhere the Word and the Sacraments are administered correctly. We have a clear identity based exclusively on Christ and his Word and Sacraments and our confession of him. We are confessional and confessing Lutherans.

Jesus gave us a mission. We have to go and spread these Word and Sacraments to this world. We need to take our confession to the society and not leave it inside our buildings just for us. The world needs just what we have but the world is not aware of its needs and so we have to use our creativity and our resources to announce what the Lutheran confessional church has to offer. Using the interests and language of the world we can announce what God offers. We can use all resources that God gives us for the mission (including our buildings).

Christians should give their time and talents for mission in all the places they walk in our society. We can and should use all communication means available to us to tell people about Jesus but we need to remember that these avenues of communication are a means to an end and not an end in themselves. The start and end is always the gospel. Everything we do is for the glory of God.

7. What can a small church do?
Key point: A small church should not be afraid to be what she is in the world: a small church.

It is not the impressiveness of the church which gives people faith in Christ but it is the Gospel by which the small church lives herself that is to be the centre of the church – small or large. ‘Jesus said: “Behold, I have put before you can open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name” (Revelation 3:8).’

Conclusion
We commend this topic for your consideration and would be very interested in any feedback. Send us a e-mail to: IELP or to the ELC Secretary – Rev. George Samiec

To God be the glory!

Adopted in Porto, June 5, 2010

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The Delegates of the Member Churches: