Being missional - there are all kinds of ideas about it in a Christian congregation. One of the thoughts I encounter quite often is that the missionary vocation of the congregation means that we mainly talk; after all, the Word must sound! After the Word comes nothing for a long time, and then somewhere in there is room for the deed. Before we know it, we are pulling Word and deed apart. But the church's mission is wingless if there are not two wings active.
In love
Quite a lot will have changed in the way a couple in love interacts. In the past, it might have been limited to a cautious walk in the park, pink in pink. Today, it might be more about 'chilling out' together. Very long ago it was deftly called the boy 'courting' the girl, less long ago it was called 'courtship', and now I hear young people talking about their 'relationship'. Whatever has changed, one thing remains the same, and that is that you can tell when a couple is having a thing with each other. You can tell by their body language, the way they walk together, seek eye contact. One couple is good at drowning each other in pretty and sweet words (used to be notes, now apps). The other couple doesn't need so many words. Either way: love speaks its own language, even without words.
Vocation
What is natural in love is suddenly a lot more complicated when it comes to missionary vocation. Church members I speak to feel pressured: they feel they have to talk about the Bible to strange people. But what should you say? And what if the other person is not expecting it? Or if he suddenly asks questions that are too difficult, what then?
Love
But isn't it better now to start with love, the love of Christ and to Christ? Love speaks without words. Love sees what is needed, it serves and cares. I think of Dorkas from Acts 9. It says she is a disciple in verse 36. So she walks with the Lord Jesus, is taught by Him, like once Peter, James and John. From that, love comes to her. She knows the people around her. Gives gifts to those in need. Makes clothes for the widows suffering poverty. Her actions speak! When she falls ill, dies but is miraculously raised again, many people in her town of Joppa come to faith.
Word and deed
It is not mentioned, but Dorkas will surely have spoken about the Gospel too. However, in her biography, the deed gets all the emphasis. In the language of the Old Testament, there is a word for that: dabar. It means both word and deed. Where missionary-ness is considered in theology, it is called 'integral mission'. The church is diaconal and evangelising, with word-deeds and deed-words.
Also as a municipality
I am convinced that many Christians serve the Lord in all kinds of ways, just in the daily routine. But what we as churches in the Netherlands are not yet very good at is to very consciously and purposefully connect Word and deed as a congregation, i.e. not as loners, but together.
The church is known for
Now it is often would that churches consist of individuals speaking a word or doing an act here and there, often anonymously, sometimes almost secretly, as if the light should not shine on the candlestick, but should be under the bushel. But how special it would be if a church was known in village or town as a community, a cohesive body of Christ, truly making a difference in society. As a place of light where love flourishes
Practical
What that looks like practically will vary by congregation and context. One church finds a calling in caring for migrants in the city, another for the elderly in the neighbourhood. The third church offers a safe place for children in a problem neighbourhood, the next congregation offers courses for the entire Vinex district, aimed at couples who want to invest in their marriage. Those who ask further about the why are lovingly told: because we want to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Following Him makes a difference of night and day! He is the love of my heart. So goes the mission of the church: on the wings of Word and deed, deed and word.
Rev. Peter L.D. Visser
missionary consultant
