A mission field. As an Episcopalian since I was 10 years old, the words leave me feeling a little uncomfortable, but also intrigued. The discomfort comes from the idea that we should be about converting people who aren't Christian, maybe even people who already have a faith tradition and a great relationship with God. I believe, as many Episcopalians do, that many other faith traditions lead to God, and that God manifests a way to salvation in many different ways.

        The part that intrigues me is that there are also many, many more people nowadays without any spiritual moorings, without any experience with faith matters, and who could use some guidance (albeit, gentle-handed) in the great questions of faith.

        One of the excuses many of us used for many years for NOT inviting people to church, or even telling them about our own beliefs is that "they have their own churches, and it's rude of me to try to take them away from their churches." This is just not true anymore. More people than NOT are staying away from church, perhaps because of a bad experience with religion, a grudge they feel toward a former minister of theirs, or even because they don't know where to start trying to find a parish. We can't use our old excuse anymore.

        Now, there are many unploughed mission fields: the youth in our neighborhoods who hang out at the dry cleaner next to Jamestown High School; the neighbor who cuts our little strip of property between driveways without being asked; the convenience store clerk that we see regularly when we buy that quick carton of milk (although she might have to work on Sunday morning; but, heh! we have a Saturday service!)

        At St. Anthony of the Desert Episcopal Church in east Scottsdale, AZ, there is a sign facing into the parking lot so people can read it as they are leaving church. "You are now entering the mission field" it reads. A good reminder not to take everything we received in Sunday worship and put it away for the week.

        We are charged in our Baptismal covenant, which we renew every time we have a Baptism, "Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?" It's not enough to just let our actions speak for themselves (although it IS a good start!). We need to share why we do what we do, so people can connect our behavior to the Gospel we proclaim.

                                                ~ Madre Liz