WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF US?
When a congregation is considering the question of what its mission or purpose statement ought to be, perhaps a foundational beginning might be some of the things scripture actually teaches us to be essential to the faith. Jesus’ own specific teachings to his followers would be an excellent place to begin—not simply to lift a piece out of scripture and adopt it as mission (since that would be too general and universally applicable to provide specific identity or direction to a congregation), but to set up some categories to begin with.
We shouldn’t neglect the Old Testament while we are at it, for it is our scripture, too. Recently, I came across an edition of the Bible that comes with yellow highlighting on all verses or portions of verses that mention the responsibility of God’s people to promote justice and to care for others who are in need. The proportion of scripture that has yellow highlighting is impressive, to say the least.
The prophet Micah provides a useful summary. “What does the Lord require of us,” he asks rhetorically, “but to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God?” That pretty well covers it, and I cannot imagine Jesus objecting to that sentiment.
Bishop Barbara Harris quotes the late Dr. Verna Dozier as saying that we too often reverse the verbs in that passage in our own practice. She says we only “love” justice, while we actually “do” mercy. Justice, you see, requires commitment and sacrifice to DO, but it is easy and cost-free to be vaguely in favor of it, if it ever should somehow happen. Mercy is easier to DO; we can just write a check. It has the added advantage of meeting with universal approval, and not rocking anyone’s boat. Justice, however—DOING justice could turn the world on its head (a phrase that rings a Pauline bell, now I think of it. This is what the early church was accused of wanting to do!)
Imagine that. A congregation whose purpose is to turn the world on its head.
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