This is a reflection on the book Called to be Sent: Co-Missioned as Disciples Today written by Anthony J. Gittins spublished by Liguori Publications in 2008.. All quotes are from this book.
To learn more about Anthony J. Gittins, visit: http://www.ctu.edu/academics/anthony-gittins-cssp.
Gittins quotes this expression of Inagrace Diettrich’s ,
“the purpose of [authentic Christian] spirituality is empowerment for mission” because
he wants to emphasize that mission and discipleship cannot be separated. He states on a previous page that, “One of
the first fruits of spirituality that is really new life in the Spirit is a new
attitude toward neighbor: toward everyone.”
He is convinced that this is part of where the church has gone
wrong. Many people view mission as
going to Africa and sharing Jesus. Mission is something that only a few are
called to do. Others see being spiritual as something only;
those who can shut themselves off from the world are called to do. They
do not see the connection between spending time with God and sharing it with
the world. The Holy Spirit is to be our
guide in developing an inclusive attitude that views mission as sharing Jesus
with the world. We are to live our
faith in the world 24 hours a day, 7
days a week, 365 days a year not just when we feel like it. If we are only interested
in ourselves, then our discipleship only goes so far because we are part of the
message of the Gospel. It is not our job to exclude or include people from the
community of Jesus Christ based on whether or they drink, gamble, read the
Bible, fit our church’s image or look attractive.
Gittins is advocating for Christians to be in the business
of fulfilling Ephesians 2:14-18, “destroying the barrier, the dividing wall of
hostility.”(Ephesians 2:14). This is
done according to Gittins by developing a “Missional Christianity that is
focused on 3 main components, (1) built on faith more than simply belief, (2)
it is more than a process than a state, and (3) it is manifest in both skills
and virtues.)” Possessing authentic
Christian spirituality can be described as trusting and being guided by the
Holy Spirit, accepting that this is a life-long process and developing
life-long disciplines, which lead you to fulfilling your vocation. We cannot do these things on our own strength
nor can do we do these things by simply joining a church and sitting in a
pew. We must spend time with God and
with those also who can walk this journey of faith with us not to be an
exclusive club but rather to give each other strength to be neighbor.
I confess that I struggle with being neighbor both inside
and outside of the church. I am a member
of a church but I am often very cynical about my faith community. However, as I have begun to pray more for the
church and those who lead, I can see the fruits of my time with God. I am more
caring and more loving towards those in my church and outside of the
church. Relying on my won strength does
not get me anywhere. I can see myself
being led in this direction as I begin my ministry. I am hearing God’s call to be a spiritual
director as a call to be welcoming to all, to not label myself as a United
Methodist Spiritual Director or even as a Christian Spiritual Director but
rather to listen and let the Holy Spirit guide.
The other piece of my calling as a contemplative is to pray for others
and to be an encourager. The Holy Spirit
is guiding my focus to be attentive to those around me, to smile, say hello and
even engage in conversation with strangers.
I have often fallen into the trap of believing that I cannot minister to
others until I straighten up and do not have so much sin and suffering in my
life. However, I am realizing that just
as the love of Jesus is not exclusive are neither joy nor suffering mutually
exclusive. When we are Spirit-led, joy and
suffering can exist simultaneously providing us with the strength to continue
to be neighbor.
