Enhancing Mission

A BEAUTIFUL NEST

From the Church of Ceylon

Photo: Church of Ceylon

It is important to remember that Jesus’ disciples were not alone in the early Church. They were supported by many lay people: ‘3000 were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need’ (Acts 2: 41-45). The witnessing life of the believers in the early Church challenges lay ministers to fully devote themselves to the Church, contributing to the life of the Church in their own ways and supporting clergy too. Sri Lanka is a religiously diverse country, comprised of Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians. In Sri Lankan schools, children are taught about the different traditions and practices within each of these religions. By teaching our young people about different beliefs and cultures, we hope to foster an increasingly tolerant society, where people are aware of and respectful of various religious beliefs. Curiosity towards religion, and Christianity in particular, offers members of the Church of Ceylon valuable opportunities to share their faith with those outside of the Church. The Church of Ceylon trains male and female lay leaders, respectively called Devasevakas and Devasevikas. These leaders strive to share God’s love with their local communities, through practical service and prayer. I often think of the Church of Ceylon as a bird’s nest.

A nest can be beautifully constructed whilst still offering warmth and comfort to those who settle there. A bird’s nest is made up of various types of string and other materials, woven carefully together. Just as a bird's nest is comprised of various materials, the Church is comprised of a wide variety of people with different ideas and from different backgrounds. Yet these people are connected together by the love of Jesus Christ. There may be arguments and differences between members of the Church, but our love for each other, regardless of our opinions and origins, remains. As lay people, we are called to carry the light of love and the warm welcome of Jesus Christ to those who are in need and those who need to be loved. The mission of lay people in today’s church is to build relationships between those within and those outside of the Church. To do this, we must share God’s love through our actions. Whether this is through pastoral conversation or the provision of food and medicine, we are called to share the love of Jesus Christ with the world. By doing so, we hope to welcome new members, with their own stories and ideas, into our nest. ■