Word and deed - A mandate for mission

10 February 2008

James 2:14-26

There is no theme more central to our purposes at Wesley Mission than ‘word and deed’. Its origins are clearly many-faceted but soundly biblical and with a distinct focus on the ministry of Jesus himself, who both taught and demonstrated his message.

Consistency between word and action is a theme that sits comfortably with what Jesus brought in ‘good news’.

The bitter falling out between fundamentalists and followers of the so-called social gospel early in the twentieth century has left its mark on the church. One group was deeply passionate about leading people into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, and the other would see their purpose being to bring care to the poor and engaging in matters of social justice. Both groups are partly right – but neither has the whole picture.

The development of central missions around the world brought together evangelical passion and ministry alongside the growing urban masses and the multiple deprivations that attended such growth. City centres often bore the brunt of the many injurious changes in society. The demands of a seven day, twenty-four hour city were appropriately met in a word and deed concept of mission and ministry.

The mandate or instructional authority of the Christian community embodies ‘word and deed’. The Apostle John explored the nature of love and concluded, “… let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:18)

The mandate for mission is not exclusively for a community such as Wesley Mission – it is for the whole Christian Church. If we lose this message, then everything to which we have been committed for close on two hundred years implodes and we lose our way!

Nowhere is this theme more apparent than in the Book of James, but we remind ourselves that it is a gospel truth embodied in the person of Jesus Christ.

Faith must be expressed in love and service, as well as in word and deed. Salvation is not a private matter; it becomes salt, light and leaven. Jesus went about the cities and towns preaching … healing … and serving. (Mark 10: 46-52)

We are called to demonstrate a new humanity and this is extended to all (John 3:16), showered like rain upon the just and the unjust alike (Matthew 5: 43-48) and not restricted to a particular group of people because God shows no partiality (Mark 7: 24-30).

Our life and values may differ from the societal context in which we find ourselves and we are not afraid to challenge the values of our setting. The gospel has both personal and social implications (Ephesians 2:17-22).

Text: James 2:17
“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

These words come from a section in James that has caused great controversy at different moments in history. Some have even tried to dispense with James, and even Martin Luther mistakenly called it “an epistle of straw”.

The reason some people struggle with it is because they see its message as inconsistent with that of the Apostle Paul. A closer examination, however, would lead us to say – Not so! He wrote, “For it is not those who hear the law that are righteous in God’s sight but those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.” (Romans 2:13)

Today many find themselves pushed in either direction in response to this truth. The two wings of the Church still exist and it is our God-given responsibility to articulate how the two must belong together.

This theme is worthy of our examination and, by placing it at the beginning of a new year, we are emphasising its significance, worth and relevance to our mission today.

Let us look at this theme from three perspectives – a danger, a temptation and from the angle of proclamation and practice.

The inherent danger of a "word-only" Mission and Ministry

Words are the vehicles which carry thoughts – and we are judged by what we say and how our words apply to the specific circumstances of life. This danger is particularly pertinent at a time when (for some) preaching, prayer and spirituality have declined in value. We are all too aware of the deep spiritual hunger that exists around us, and there is a danger of concentrating our minds and narrowing our focus in what can only be described as unhealthy introspection.

James cannot abide profession in practice and word without deed. When the leaders of the Christian community in Jerusalem agreed that Paul should go to the Gentiles, there was an injunction laid on him not to forget the poor.

He reflected on his agreement to go to the Gentiles, “All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.” (Galatians 2:10)

Throughout the history of the Christian Church, there have been those with an entirely different emphasis from the one we have understood to be the gospel. Some have concentrated on emphasising the pursuit of serenity, with absence of feeling for those in need. Such an approach is a million kilometres from the heart of the New Testament gospel.

However, there are times when narrowly focused personal religion is replicated in gatherings of huge numbers in worship, praise and giving glory to God, without any expression of commitment to those who are vulnerable.

When people ask the striking question – ‘You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?’ – it challenges us to active involvement and authenticity in our lifestyle.

I recall, when I was minister in a growing church, a person who was always at Bible study, prayer meetings, absolutely faithful in attendance at worship, but never came to tidy the church grounds, was poor in responding to practical need – and one day, when we were looking for new stewards (or elders as we refer to them), the person asked me what I thought about their being considered. It was a difficult question, but I remember saying, “It had not crossed my mind because there are so many things about this ministry that are not really your cup of tea.” It resulted in a very creative conversation: not only was it a wake-up call for them, but this person eventually became a leader and entered full-time Christian service … becoming the most practical of people!

It is possible to put all our emphasis upon the Word or the spiritual focus at the expense of the practical.

I recall reading the story of an heiress who kept her priceless collection of jewels in the vault of a large bank. One of her prize possessions was a valuable string of pearls. She had been told that pearls can lose their lustre if not worn once in a while – so once a week it was arranged that a bank secretary, guarded by two plain clothes security men, would wear these precious pearls to lunch. The brief contact with the human body kept them beautiful and in good condition.

Our faith is not like the pearls. It must be used in order to be useful. It must be exercised at the heart of life.

Our faith needs to be put into practice. The Wall Street Journal recounted the no doubt apocryphal story of an employment office checking an applicant’s list of references: “How long did this person work for you?” a former employer was asked. “About four hours” was the swift reply. “Why, he told us he’d been there a long time,” said the astonished caller. “Oh, yes,” answered the ex-employer. “He’s been here for two years!”

James has opened up for the growing Christian community an important theme – and that is how they (and we) “should live out our faith”. It is inconceivable that a person whose life is centred on Christ would fail to see such faith spelled out in works of kindness and opportunities of service. The staff and volunteers of Wesley Mission should likewise be alert, alive and practical in mission. James uses the illustrations of Abraham (v.21) and even Rahab (v.25), but he brings his argument to a conclusion with the thought: “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.” (v.26)

The powerful temptation of a "deed only" Mission and Ministry

Because the first danger is true, there is a temptation that arises at the other end of the spectrum – in that part of the Christian community becomes ‘all deed’. This is a temptation we have to handle here at Wesley Mission. Hardly a week goes by without my having a conversation with someone who tells us how much they admire the work we do. They invariably comment upon our welfare and social ministry. We know that literally thousands of people come into contact with us every week and we are able to offer practical support which helps to give hope and purpose. This, plus our care for the marginalised, can mean we feel far too good about ourselves – and there is a powerful temptation to place all our emphasis on ‘deed only’.

This can be true in the fundraising area.
This almost certainly true in the area of statutory funding.
This is always the default position to which we are prone to return.

Leonard Griffith, in “We Have This Ministry”, reflects upon the 1960s model of church youth clubs and the dangers they presented for the church. He wrote, “Outreach, evangelism and mission are not optional activities like bowling, billiards and ping-pong for the members of a religious club. They are mandates from Christ himself, a part of the original givenness of the gospel.”

There are particular issues that arise in the Australian context. Those in the Christian community who have responded to the particular challenges of providing social and welfare support, because this is delivered by NGOs and Christian agencies, have to be on their guard that they do not sacrifice the gospel for the sake of the delivery.

Such a temptation is underpinned by the perception people have that –

we must be careful not to proselytise.
we must never offend people’s sensitivities.
we just don’t have time to do it.

For four years I had responsibility for an area of Methodist work in the industrial heartland of North-West England. Because of the cotton industry, we had high numbers of immigrants from India, Pakistan and neighbouring countries. Many of these people came from Hindu and Muslim backgrounds. Along with the Anglican Bishop, I set out to build positive relationships with all communities.

In one of the towns, with a population of three hundred thousand, we worked with the local authority to actively pursue harmonious opportunities together. We encouraged the celebration of all that life means to each community. When the millennium year came, we wanted to share our Christian faith with the thousands who never came near a church.

There was some resistance from one or two church leaders, but none from the Hindus and Muslims and the many of no religious persuasion! I have to say that they were perplexed that Christians would choose to celebrate such a major event without reference to what defined their faith. We are sometimes far too hesitant to name the Name of Jesus Christ.

There needs to be an integrity in all we do – and a most significant question arises in relation to why we are engaged in the huge programme of practical help to those in need. By avoiding the temptation of ‘deed only’ –

We give people insight into the values that underpin our practice.
Faith in the public arena becomes honest and intelligible.
The faith we practise (which is visible) points to the spiritual reality that inspires us.

When we lose our spiritual priorities and purpose, we might as well pack up shop and leave it to others. This direction is the inevitable end of organisations that begin as Christian, but who lose their way.

Urgently in need of “sleeping cars” a Canadian railroad inserted the following advertisement in one of the trade journals: “Three hundred sleepers wanted. At once.” A short time later, they received a letter from a minister from a church in Iowa in the US, who offered his entire congregation!

The practice and proclamation of authentic faith in word and deed

How often can we observe (sadly) that Christianity is represented as an ‘either or’ … when it is always a ‘both and’. In the disciplined and spiritual heart, there is a healthy balance when word and deed both declare our allegiance to Jesus Christ. The same is true for the Christian community.

When both occur together –

we are able to engage with issues of faith and culture.
we will be prevented from deteriorating into mere welfare.
we will occupy a distinctive and altogether compelling place in Australian society.

Such a mission and ministry will be consistent with what we meet in Jesus Christ.

It has been interesting to observe the recent elections around the world. Of particular interest and concern to us all are the Primaries in the United States of America. What a different atmosphere from the 1980s when the religious right dominated politics on all sides. Now a new mood has emerged which enables Christian people to see that following Jesus is free from party and political emphasis.

This is the same kind of change that has been happening on a global scale in the Christian Church. The evangelical world began to change direction in 1974 at the Lausanne Conference on Evangelisation held in Switzerland. The changing of direction was, in one sense, a return to vital roots, where evangelism and social compassion were intricately bound together.

When faith is expressed in ‘word and deed’ there develops the prophetic biblical tradition. Such a tradition is not afraid to question the foundations and securities of society. This is a whole gospel for a whole person from a whole church.

A whole gospel is bound to talk about forgiveness of sins, inner-conviction and the message of salvation – but also economic relationships, the conditions in which family life is sustained (or otherwise) – and so on.
A whole person is the object of our care and compassion. We simply refuse to be part of that understanding of Christianity that warms a heart, cleans a soul, but leaves a man or woman still in the gutter.
A whole church approach feels absolutely right for Wesley Mission. We live out our discipleship in a place where compassion and witness belong together. We seek to pull together in a unifying vision. Building a healthy Christian community and being involved in a dynamic, prophetic and social ministry are not conflicting priorities.

Ronald Sider put it this way: “When the church is functioning rightly as the Body of Christ, it will also serve as the hands and feet of Christ in the world.”

All the ministry of word and deed we exercise is to bring glory to God in Jesus Christ.

In 1993 I had a particular challenge to raise a large amount of money rather quickly to enable some development to occur in the life of the church for which I had pastoral responsibility. I was in North Wales and I wrote to everyone who had links with Wales – from Barry John to Shirley Bassey and Tom Jones and so on. Many of them responded positively.

You will know that the Snowdonia range of mountains is situated in North Wales and I was aware that a young Ed Hillary (who recently died at the age of 88) had spent time practising for his Everest climb on some of its dangerous peaks in winter snow. I didn’t have his address; I simply wrote to Sir Edmund Hillary, Auckland, New Zealand, explained what I was doing and, sure enough, within a month came a hand-written reply – and a drawing to sell. Hillary was a great man who didn’t declare open religious convictions, but who did demonstrate in one clear way what the Christian faith should lead us to understand – that if we have any opportunity and privilege in this world it is given to us so we might help others. The tragedies of his life and the public attention did not displace his concern to help others. He was practical in every bone in his body!

The people of Wesley Mission have a mandate from God to live out our relationship with Jesus Christ in the most practical and demonstrable of ways. We remind ourselves of the words of Jesus: “… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Christian Life