Rector's Thoughts and Reflections

July 1, 2006

Why Do We Do What We Do?

Why do we do what we do? Have you ever been driving, taking the same route that you have taken countless times before, and for a moment been amazed that you had just made a turn without remembering you just made a turn? It is as if we have put our minds on autopilot, relying on a repetitive tape in our minds to guide us to our destination.

Having the luxury of some spare time this summer, I have been reflecting and giving some thought to seemingly divergent activities of this parish. Where is the connection between the Dominican Republic mission trip (scheduled for a week in July) and our children's curriculum entitled "Godly Play"? How are they connected, and where is there meaning as we undertake these divergent activities? What makes them meaningful for us, and how do they relate to a parish family?

Not all of us will be going to the Dominican Republic; in fact, only ten will make the trip (July 15-22), and yet we have made this missionary work a very high priority in terms of both finances and people power. By most standards our children's Sunday School is considered small in numbers, and yet there are parents and teacher/parents and children who find Godly Play absolutely critical to the Christian formation of our youth.

Many of us don't have a dog in the fight, to use a phrase, and yet if we look at ourselves as the body of Christ, the Dominican Republic and the missionary work there and Godly Play for our children here may be the most important ministries that we undertake, among many ministries that are important.

Why do we do what we do? A large portion of our parish is made up of retirees or households without young children who have, nevertheless, made it possible for the biblical story to be known by their children. Many in our parish may feel the Dominican Republic is too far from home to find a meaningful outreach ministry. In fact, there is much need closer to home, so why the Dominican Republic?

To be the body of Christ is to say to ourselves that if we have but one child in our parish.. .or two or three or a dozen or two dozen... that one child or a dozen children deserve to hear and understand and know the biblical story as if their lives depended on it.. . and their lives do depend on that story being their story. To be a member of that body of Christ is to place that child or those children as our highest priority.. . not because of any personal gain but for the building up of the body of Christ. We cannot simply say, "I've done that, been there." Godly play is not solely about children and their Christian education; it is about the body of Christ and our Christian education. We do have a dog in the hunt, because all of us are part of the hunt! When we act on behalf of one, we act on behalf of all who make up the mystical body of Christ.

It is when we move beyond the familiar parameters of our faith, such as our upcoming missionary work in the Dominican Republic, that our eyes and hearts sense ministry and missionary needs in our own backyard. It is always and/or with regards to ministry/outreach/and missionary endeavors. The Lord places many opportunities and challenges before us, and thank God there are people willing to build a church or a school in the poorest areas of the Dominican Republic and others who find it exciting and worthwhile to labor close to home. There is room and need for all...it is a matter of where you are led by the Spirit to do the work of Christ.

Why do we do what we do? Will our children have faith? Are we willing to follow Christ beyond the safety and comfort of our own lives? Our children will have faith if that body of Christ deems it important. Christ is always taking us out of our comfort zone, to places of the heart that we never dreamt of going to or experiencing.

Autopilot is not helpful for Christians.

Consider being a "story teller" or "doorkeeper" or "friend" of our children as they engage in Godly Play.

Consider missionary work in our own "backyard" with existing ministries or something new and unheard of...on the Island or off or even in a distant country seeking the aid and cooperation of Christian ministry.

Why do we do what we do?

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Rector's Thoughts and Reflections