We have chosen the theme for this year’s Annual Council in Tupelo quite intentionally. The words themselves are something of a Rorschach inkblot test for us all. Does “The Challenge of Mission” speak to the obstacles that the church faces in this time? Clearly there are many such challenges— financial stresses, internal conflicts, a culture increasingly disinterested in the institution of church, a loss of conviction that the faith of which we are stewards has external value and should be shared.
These challenges are all part of the world in which we live and in the air that every one of us breathes. But “The Challenge of Mission” is also meant to suggest that God’s claim on our lives is sealed in baptism where we are “marked as Christ’s own forever.” That challenge to a life of faithfulness, beginning with Jesus’ words to those Galilean fishermen, “Follow me,” has challenged the church in every generation — in good times and bad. In fact, history suggests that it has been in the worst of times that the faithful witness of the church has shown most brightly.
As we prepare to gather as a church in Tupelo, I would ask that each of us continue to be honest about the obstacles that we face. However, we need to remind ourselves this is the easy part for we are far more comfortable with excuse making and blame.
But I would also ask that we be open to hearing in new ways within our soul that claim of God on our lives and the implications for mission in those ancient words to us, “Follow me.” That is where the rubber meets the road in our soul’s faithfulness.
When that day comes when we must give an account of our lives, I don’t think “We didn’t have enough money to do the things we were called to do” will be much of an excuse.
