A Mission of Relationship

I find myself thinking about relationship lately.  We live in this world that increasingly allows us to choose our communities and ignore the people who live near us or who challenge us.  I have been teaching and preaching on the Johannine Epistles and the Gospel of John.  I am inspired by Jesus’ initial engagement with followers as he first invites would be partners-in-ministry to, ‘come and see,’ (John 1:39 and following).  This is how ministry with the Christ begins, as an opportunity to come and see; to move into relationship. I have wondered about what such a command/invitation to relationship might mean for practical ministry and mission in Chattanooga and in my community.

What would our ministry and common life look like if we simultaneously followed the example of Jesus, inviting others to ‘come and see,’ while at the same time following the command of Jesus to come and see what Christ is doing in and through others.  What if we became a missional people who majored in relationship and only supported that with money? What if we began to believe that what we have to give is not from our power, or our money, or our ideas, or our strengths, but instead from our very selves?  What if our mission was to become vulnerable to others, a mission of relationship, community, and reconciliation?  

I think this would mean creating the opportunity and space to eat with, hear the stories of, and share our own stories with those who find themselves ostracized from us and from each other. I believe that the Missio Dei (mission of God) is partly expressed in the redeeming work of building community by connection in vulnerability.  The examples of the life of Jesus are centered on sharing: meals, experiences, ministry, worship, and conversation, all with striking vulnerability.  Jesus gave up everything to be in relationship with his human community.

A mission of relationship is about life changing engagements, about finding the Divine in the face of those who we are estranged from.  Lower socio-economic school aged youths might encounter parents, educators, and college students.  Fathers behind on child support (some 50% of those court mandated in TN) would enjoy conversation with parents struggling to understand their children.  The refugee from Sudan might share a meal with an undocumented immigrant working at a local chicken plant.  Those struggling with mental illness might find companionship in an alcoholic/addict.  The over worked, over committed business woman might find herself in the life of a homeless person. Conservative/evangelicals might explore God's identity and work in the world with progressive Protestants.  The services that might be provided: tutoring, social work, mental health care, 12 step, housing, food, outreach, worship, are all secondary to and a result of relationship.