Intentional and purposeful

The Rev Ruth Kennedy says that the purpose of mission has not changed regardless of the technology used.

ENTOMOLOGY and etymology. Entomology is the scientific study of insects. Etymology is often heard in a sermon, for it is the study of the origin of a word and the historical development of its meaning. They are not something you want to get mixed up when preaching, as I have been known to do! And whilst there are plenty of insects in the Bible, it is to etymology that I turn this month.

It is fascinating that this study of words includes how the meaning of a word develops over time and can also reveal where the concept has been in the travels of world history. Some words have arguably held onto their meaning throughout time, although might have a slightly different nuance in various contexts.

Take ‘mission’ for example. Christopher J H Wright defines it as ‘our committed participation as God’s people, at God’s invitation and command, in God’s own mission within the history of God’s world for the redemption of God’s creation’. Jesus invites us into His mission in Matthew 28: ‘Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”’

What happens when we travel back further, to King David and the Psalms? Psalm 67 urges God to bless His people so the nations know of His saving power and exhorts the nations to praise God for his justice, mercy, and wisdom. For all: ‘May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you.’

Clearly, the saving power, kindness, compassion, and guidance from God were and are for all peoples. The words and media used to share the love and heart of God may have changed over time but in every era, they are contextually relevant and purposeful.

We see throughout the generations that message of ‘God loves you and sent His Son to bring you back to Him’, continually conveyed by the people of God with words and actions that are relevant to the people around them. Mission is always intentional, it is purposeful and this is the basis for mission in digital ministry too. When we develop podcasts and blogs for example, to either encourage believers or reach those who do not yet know Jesus or to all, the best practice is to make them intentional with a purpose.

“ The words and media used to share the love and heart of God may have changed over time but in every era, they are contextually relevant and purposeful.

Society is in a transitional era with a mixture of digital adopters and natives. Some generations need to adapt to or adopt the digital age as it has been a technological advancement in their lifetime. We also have the digital natives who have only ever known the digital world. This transitional era will eventually end with only digital natives on the shores of the UK. As we navigate through this societal transition, our mission remains intentional and purposeful. We still have the best story to share and how beautiful to know that we our intentional and purposeful mission shapes the development of the word mission in our time.

The Rev Ruth Kennedy is Digital Ministries Advisor for the Church of Scotland and minister with Sanctuary First.