'MISSION' DEFINED

A definition of 'mission' may be found on page 855 of The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Q. What is the mission of the Church?
A. The mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.

Q. How does the Church pursue its mission?
A. The Church pursues its mission as it prays and worships, proclaims the Gospel, and promotes justice, peace, and love.

Q. Through whom does the Church carry out its mission?
A. The Church carries out its mission through the ministry of all its members.

My reason for posting the quote is to remind myself of the reference base in the BCP for the meaning of mission, because when members of the church, especially leaders in the church, speak of mission, I so often have only a vague idea of the meaning the speakers assign to the word.

Thanks to Tobias Haller for leading me to the definition in the BCP.

PLEASE PRAY..

...for all involved as we continue the selection process for priests-in-charge for four parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana. The Q&A sessions yesterday went quite well. I'm pleased that we are blessed with a slate of excellent candidates from which we and the candidates will choose the best church/candidate matches. I thank you all for your prayers thus far.

Lord, look upon the congregations St. John's in Thibodaux, St. Margaret's in Baton Rouge, St. Mary's in Franklin, and Christ Episcopal Church in Slidell. So guide the hearts and minds of our leadership teams, Bishop Morris, Canon Mark, the participating candidates for Holy Orders, and all those participating in the Clergy and Congregational Development Program, so that we may come to prepare and strengthen each other in our respective ministries. Make us all thankful of Your many blessings, faithful to Your Holy Word, and mindful that we are working to your honor and glory. Amen.

I confess that when I first became part of the selection process for a priest-in-charge, I did not quite realize the solemnity of the responsibility, which I now do, and it's awesome (in the old sense of the word). However, I am convinced that erring humans that we are, the Spirit of the living God guides us in the process.

Omnia vestra in caritate fiant. (Let all that you do be done in love.)

Soli Deo gloria. (Glory to God alone.)

PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYER

Starting today and for the next several days, members of the vestries and congregations of four churches in the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana will be interviewing and spending time with six candidates for rectors priests-in-charge for four churches in the diocese.

St. John's in Thibodaux
St. Margaret's in Baton Rouge
St. Mary's in Franklin
Christ Episcopal Church in Slidell.

Because I showed up for the meeting at St. John's which explained the process, I became involved. That's what I get for showing up. :-) Seriously, I am pleased to be part of the process. I'll be busy with my duties as a team member at St. John's for the next few days. The several congregations have been praying the prayer on my right sidebar for several weeks, which I repeat below. Please join your prayers with ours that God will guide the diocesan leadership, the members of the congregations, and the candidates.

Lord, look upon the congregations St. John's in Thibodaux, St. Margaret's in Baton Rouge, St. Mary's in Franklin, and Christ Episcopal Church in Slidell. So guide the hearts and minds of our leadership teams, Bishop Morris, Canon Mark, the participating candidates for Holy Orders, and all those participating in the Clergy and Congregational Development Program, so that we may come to prepare and strengthen each other in our respective ministries. Make us all thankful of Your many blessings, faithful to Your Holy Word, and mindful that we are working to your honor and glory. Amen.

Thank you.

UPDATE: From the comments:

susankay said...

...I ask your prayers for St Marks, Durango CO as we first try to find an Interim.