I have been greatly challenged over the last five years by the ministry of Jesus in the gospels. His approach to those on the margins gives us some idea of where to head and hope for the future of mission and ministry in our churches in the UK. We Jesus dining at the tables of sinners and outcasts, We see him relocating the centre of his ministry on numerous occasions. We see the fruits of his labours, and his view of the kingdom of God. We the people who he associates with, people of brokenness and pain, people who have been ousted from society, people who have been misunderstood, and stereotyped because of their manner of lifestyle. We see Jesus getting “Stuck in” among them “Moving into the neighbourhood” John 1:14. (The Message Bible) living life alongside, and in the company of. I have been challenged for some time by this radical Jesus, and have refocused my world view, and my view of mission and ministry towards the margins. Because of this I have agreed with my church to take a sabbatical in which I will do further reflections on ministry and mission towards the margins. Ill be travelling to Australia for a month......find out more in next post.
