Matthew’s parable of the workers in the vineyard is one of my favorites. I love the final scene where the various workers stand, waiting to be paid. Imagine it: workers who began early in the morning stand grimy, sweaty, and exhausted; workers who worked only a couple of hours appear fairly fresh with little fatigue, not to mention all manner of workers in between.
I suppose this scene is so compelling to me because I was trained when the concept of the missional church was all the rage. How many hours were given to debate, understand, and define the term missional in seminary classrooms and local congregations? My favorite definition of a missional church looks like its community. Hence, the reason I love the characters in the parable. They gather in various and diverse circumstances after their day’s work, learning that grace comes in the invitation. For most of us, if our church looks like the community it serves, we will experience a Matthew 20 moment each and every Sunday.
But looking like the community you serve is more than gathering on Sunday morning. It means being willing to bear the burdens of our neighbors. As you know, this burden-bearing is no small task. Many of our congregations have enough challenges of their own without trying to accept any more. However, to look like and serve our community, gospel faithfulness allows for nothing less.
I recently sat down with someone who would define herself as “spiritual but not religious.” She talked about how she had little time and patience for church. She spoke of finding spiritual nourishment in reading, outdoors, and in engagement with others. She did, however, go on to tell me of a positive experience she had recently with a congregation. She told me of a friend’s death from cancer that was unexpected and tragic, as her friend was in her early 30s. She felt it only right to go to the memorial service, even though it was going to be held in a Baptist church. She had only negative experiences and ideas about Baptists, but for her friend’s sake, she went. She said the memorial service was difficult yet lovely, a touching tribute to a life well-lived but cut way too short. Most of all, she was astounded at the church. She said she didn’t know that this type of Baptist congregation existed. A Baptist congregation that welcomed all people. A congregation that honored doubt while grappling with faith. A church that encouraged honest lament and questions in the face of monumental loss.
She finished the story by sharing gratitude for the existence of this congregation. She said it brought her comfort knowing they were there and what they stood for. It made her feel like she wasn’t all alone in her grief. And, dare I say, it helped her burden to be a bit lighter? Missional church indeed!
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