The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada Daily Meditation for Thursday, 5 November 2015 "The Mission of the Church" - from Henri Nouwen's Bread for the Journey

The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada Daily Meditation for Thursday, 5 November 2015 "The Mission of the Church" - from Henri Nouwen's Bread for the Journey

There are more people on this planet outside the Church than inside it. Millions have been baptised, millions have not. Millions participate in the celebration of the Lord's Supper, but millions do not.
The Church as the body of Christ, as Christ living in the world, has a larger task than to support, nurture, and guide its own members. It is also called to be a witness for the love of God made visible in Jesus. Before his death Jesus prayed for his followers, "As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world" (John 17:18). Part of the essence of being the Church is being a living witness for Christ in the world.

For further reflection...
"You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life."[John 5: 39, 40 (NIV)]
The upcoming Advent Book Discussion - The Inner Voice of Love. To find out more, click here!
The First Annual Henri Nouwen Lecture featuring Jim Wallis happensNovember 14, 2015. For more information, click here.
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Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Photo by V. Dobson. Scripture chosen by L. Yeskoo.
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