BLOG 6/25/19. WHAT IS YOUR ‘APOSTOLATE’?

BLOG. 6.25.19. QUESTION: “WHAT IS YOUR APOSTOLATE?”

Did anyone ever ask you that question? Being a good Protestant kid, I never had heard it until I got immersed with Roman Catholic persons, especially in a couple of weeks in the Vatican where we were in daily discourse with the staff about the mission of the church. It’s a good question to internalize. It derives from the Greek word apostello, with means ‘to send out.’ Jesus told his disciples: “As the Father has sent me, even so send I you.” His final commission was to send them out to make disciples until his gospel of the kingdom of God had permeated every people-group in the world with their love and good works and the message of Jesus.

This would imply for us that, by virtue of our baptism into Christ, we are recipients of that apostolate in whatever corner of this human scene that we occupy week by week, and are to be somewhat self-conscious of that apostolate. The apostle Paul has a way of including encouragements to engage in good works, works of generosity, love, and kindness in our engagement with others so that they will see the love of God at work in and through us.

As a pastor, I probably had several dozen personal conversations, or encounters each week. Ah! But I preached (or attempted to equip for their apostolate) to several hundred. Do the math! That meant that the number of my congregation’s contacts in their daily apostolate ran into the thousands. Lives of generosity, ministries of integrity, works of reconciliation, zeal for justice, patience, and the welfare of the oppressed were the ‘stuff’ of their apostolate, … beginning with those closest such as family and working associates.

It also reminds us that we cannot be oblivious to any who are oppressed or in need. Agencies who provide for the needs of the 70 million homeless refugees in the world, or who provide legal aid for those unjustly detained, or medical help for those in crisis situations who support depends on the financial contributions such as you and me. We are among the wealthiest people in the world, and so are responsible in a unique way for our stewardship of that. Just in case you need some suggestions, allow me to suggest several that I am impressed by:

  • For refugees: The United Nation High Commission on Refugees has superb agencies to provide for those who have had to leave home and go into the unknown with nothing. They have a great track record.
  • So also, The International Rescue Committee (founded by Albert Einstein to provide for refugees in World War II).
  • The Southern Poverty Law Center which seeks justice for those unjustly accused because of race or sexual orientation.
  • The American Civil Liberties Union, providing legal aid for helpless refugees being detained by immigration agencies.
  • Your local food bank.

There are so many more. You church may have its own contact with humanitarian agencies.

So, can you identify your apostolate?

 

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About rthenderson

Sixty years a pastor-teacher within the Presbyterian Church. Author of several books, the latest of which are a trilogy on missional ecclesiology: ENCHANTED COMMUNITY: JOURNEY INTO THE MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH, then, REFOUNDING THE CHURCH FROM THE UNDERSIDE, then THE CHURCH AND THE RELENTLESS DARKNESS. Previous to this trilogy was A DOOR OF HOPE: SPIRITUAL CONFLICT IN PASTORAL MINISTRY, and SUBVERSIVE JESUS, RADICAL FAITH. I am a native of West Palm Beach, Florida, a graduate of Davidson College, then of Columbia and Westminster Theological Seminaries.
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One Response to BLOG 6/25/19. WHAT IS YOUR ‘APOSTOLATE’?

  1. Jermaine Ladd says:

    Yes the Christians crossing the boarder seeking refuge. Sounds much like the pilgrims right. Only except they are not coming to slaughter and take over but to have a better way of life.

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