We don’t need to be gathered in a church to ‘do’ mission. Mission doesn’t have to be a big organised activity. A prayerfully offered kind word can literally transform someone’s state of being. Of course, Christian mission is much more than just being nice to people but this moment in time presents a unique opportunity to engage in that first step of mission, which is to establish authentic relationships with people, being ambassadors of the kingdom, salt and light in a decaying and increasingly gloomy world. Imagine if that happened in every street in our city! He received a few raised eyebrows, but generally people were deeply appreciative of the offer and many were happy to debrief their circumstances with him through the front door.
He introduced himself as a neighbour and offered his mobile number if people found themselves in need of support. One of my friends, who for months had been praying for an opportunity to connect with his neighbours, recently went and knocked on every door in his street. It is acceptable to offer support to others. It is more ‘normal’ now to enquire of stranger’s wellbeing. As our normal social conventions are disrupted by exceptional circumstances, many social stigmas are also being interrupted. This is a tiny example of the missional opportunity that currently abounds. Their value and identity were actually found in the regard and action of their Creator toward them. They were surprised but said, “OK!” That led to a lengthy conversation where Al was able to reflect with the boys that their value and identity was based on so much more than their ability to perform dramatically. Al offered to pray for these boys in their distress. He said, “Dad, I’ve just realised how much opportunity there is in the world at the moment.” He went on to relay a conversation with two students who had lead roles in the school musical – they had been rehearsing for months, a joint production with St Aidan’s girls’ school, full-day Sunday rehearsals, just a few weeks out from the performance … and it’s cancelled in a moment. All the things the boys have been looking forward to for years have been taken from them.īut recently he suddenly seemed quite upbeat. The cricket season was abruptly halted, the football season will be cancelled, the school play is cancelled, the Year 12 formal has been cancelled, Old Boys’ Day has been cancelled. Like most of his peers, he’s been feeling deeply discouraged by the impact the Corona Virus has already had, and will continue to have, on his final year. I recently had a fascinating conversation with my son, Alister, in his senior year at Brisbane Boys’ College.
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