At this morning’s service at Holy Trinity Church, Tarleton bundles of Invites were handed out to the congregation so they could invite friends and neighbours to the Mission Weekend on September 12th & 13th.
Preaching at the service, which included Matthew’s Gospel account of the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13.1-9,18-23), ALM Sophie Gornall posed the Question: “How do we share the good news of Jesus?”
She shared “There are two key messages I feel we should take into consideration for the mission weekend :
Firstly, develop the roots
Secondly, take an Eeeyore approach to mission
More of Eeyore in a minute. ( Sophie is pictured with Eeeyore)
First the – developing the roots.
In the parable, we are warned that when seeds are received with joy yet fall on rocky ground they prove to not bear fruit because they have no root.
This warning heralds a danger for us to consider with regard to the mission weekend.
Whilst it is good for us to focus on the detail and put great effort into the event itself, I think is important to take a step back and look at mission holistically. As our gospel reading suggests its is good to experience the joys of planting seeds by telling people about Jesus. However, if they have no root the seeds will not be productive.
So what can we do pre-mission weekend to start scattering seeds and developing roots?
I would really encourage you to spend time with the people you are thinking of inviting to the weekend. Talk to them about where they are at with God, tell them aspects of your story of how Jesus has changed your life.
I don’t know about you sitting here today but sometimes when I think about this ‘year of mission’ I feel very daunted by the tasks ahead, I feel anxious about what the reactions might be of the people I plan to encourage.
However, the individuals who we have on our hearts and minds to invite are there for reason. Just as a farmer will have insight into the right time to plant seeds in order to give the best chance of yielding healthy crops, we need to trust that through God’s support we can scatter seeds of faith at just the right times in order to encourage our friends into exploring a relationship with Jesus.”
She continued: “My second message is to take an Eeyore approach to mission.
Many of you will be familiar with Eeyore – the rather pessimistic donkey who ambles through Winnie-the-Pooh’s adventures but proves to be a good friend.
So how is Eeyore relevant?
In our gospel reading today, Jesus uses the image of some seeds falling amongst thorns which choke the young plants and deny them life.
I wonder whether anybody who you are hoping to invite is in a situation currently when they are overwhelmed, facing anxiety or feeling overburdened. Today’s gospel warns us that when people are amongst metaphorical thorns it’s much harder to receive God’s word because they are literally chocked by the worry inside them. This is where the Eeyore approach comes in……. now I am not saying that you need to be gloomy like Eeyore. But rather when sharing something of Jesus with individuals who are going through difficult times, we need to bravely enter into other people’s vulnerabilities, to share in their emotions.
Sophie Concluded with these words”
Eeeyore found unconditional love and acceptance through his friendship with the other animals in the Hundred Acre Wood. We have found that unconditional acceptance though being in relationship with Jesus.
So let’s join together in inviting others into the gift of grace that Jesus has given us. Let’s prepare a space for the Mission Weekend where people can meet with Jesus: where seeds cam be sown and strong roots may develop.”
