By Demi Prentiss, reprinted from Living God’s Mission.
There is not a single Christian who has not been equipped by God for the particular tasks which God has given him or her. There are no exceptions. All of us are ministers of God and ministers of the church. All of us have been equipped in some way to participate in this important mission.
Br. David Vryhof
The Society of St. John the Evangelist chose “minister” as their word for the Friday after Thanksgiving. They drew inspiration from a message preached by Br. David more than four years ago – before the 2016 Presidential election, before COVID-19, before the economic downturn linked to the pandemic. One of the great lessons of 2020 has been reinforcement of the message: The church is not a building; the church is the people of God, on mission. The fear and isolation we are experiencing reminds us, viscerally, that our faith community is a lifeline in our daily practice of faith. And every single one of us plays a vital part.
Br. David goes on to remind us that our primary mission responsibilities are to teach others and, always, to proclaim God’s good news – to collaborate in God’s work of wholeness among us, bringing compassion and healing to all we encounter.
“You are ministers of God in the world, laborers sent into the harvest….You are the means he has chosen to extend his love and grace into all the world. Embrace your call.”
The Green Room 