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I am currently in the midst of a placement at a parish in the Evanglical Tradition, which given my #Catholic leanings is as different from my home parish as could be. But, and it's a big But!, they're working just as hard (if not harder) to build the Kingdom of God than we are.
Just to record some one liners during a conversation with a group of mature ladies that I met last week:
1. I love the worship and diversity of it.
2. I might be old, but I'm not set in my ways. And love how many different ways that we can participate.
3. There is so much going on - there is something for everyone every week.
4. The way that the people here cared for me after I lost my husband six years ago, is wonderful. Even now they still inquire about how I am and visit if I can't come to church.
5. Although I do have children, they're all miles away, and some are abroad - they are my family, but the people here make me so welcome, although I don't belong in this parish, I go to another church, they feel like my family now.
I note that they are not necessarily talking about the Clergy or Leadership team, but the people of the parish. I have felt some of that love in the meetings and greetings and the welcome that I have received there as I observe as an outsider, the life giving nature of their parish.
When we measure the success of Mission, God's work in the world, than as far as I can see, no matter how differently we do it - he can work through the spirit in ways that turns those differences into praise and Glory to the Father. Thanks be to God.
