Published on: 09/09/2025
Taking forward the church’s mission is always a challenge and can be quite daunting. Questions arise about what we should do and how we should do it, and this can sometimes lead to indecision and inaction. This situation underlines the need for a good process of discernment. A good model for missional discernment has three elements that need listening to, the Holy Spirit, the church and the local community.
Listening to God. God is made known to us through Jesus by the Holy Spirit. Our God is not impassable or distant but his character and will are made known through the Bible, reason, tradition and directly through experience of the Holy Spirit. From the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, at his baptism, God calls on his followers to listen to him. Jesus calls his disciples and the crowds to listen to his parables and vitally he insists that wisdom is found in those who hear him and put his words into practice, Matthew 7:24. In our discernment for starting something new we first listen to God.
Listening to the church. Our church communities are full of people with diverse, gifts, skills and interests. This is not accidental, God brings together the church so that together we can be Christ’s body in mission. The whole body of Christ can draw on the passions and callings of those that belong to take forward the church’s mission. In discerning how to take the mission of the church forward we can ask people what they sense their role is, who do they know, what do they enjoy doing, hobbies, interests and relationships. These are all starting points to se where we might reach out.
Listening to the community. Our parishes and local communities have a multiplicity of people and needs. There are usually people at all stages of life, community groups. and clubs but also sometimes a lack of community. What is going on in our parish that we can join in with and where can we take the initiative? Where are the people and situations crying out for us to express God’s love and kindness?
Discernment in mission begins with listening to these three things and of course therefore prayer is the key. Prayer together to hear from God and each other. Prayer walks to listen to God and the local community. Considering what we have heard and knitting the strands together is our discernment.
If you would find it helpful to talk this through in more detail do get in touch with me, john.marsh@sheffield.anglican.org