Member or Disciple?

Indeed, membership does have its privileges, but perhaps not as we might first think.

It has been fascinating to observe the events of World Youth Day (which for some reason stretched over almost a week). We Australians are not used to such public demonstrations of faith. The media didn't really know what to make of the event, though I gauged a genuine sense of wonder that so many young people could express a commitment to religious faith, and be willing to name Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

Again and again I heard the word 'pilgrim' being used to define those who were participating in World Youth Day. It's not a word we hear used much these days, although sports commentators use the word to describe the journey that dedicated football fans make to the that great temple, the MCG. But what exactly is a pilgrim? The author Paul Elie writes that "a pilgrimage is a journey undertaken in the light of a story. A great event has happened; the pilgrim hears the report and goes in search of the evidence, aspiring to be an eyewitness."

A pilgrimage is a journey undertaken in the light of a story. Is that what motivated the 150,000 overseas visitors to make the journey to Australia for World Youth Day? Surely the story that captivated these pilgrims is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and its ongoing repercussions in their own lives and for the life of the world.

There's a Lutheran church in the mallee country of South Australia. It's in a small town called Sedan. One of my classmates from Seminary serves as its pastor. It was founded by German settlers who had moved from the fertile Barossa valley looking for new land to cultivate. The land they found was much harder to farm but in a good year promised a decent living. As the settlers did, they brought the church with them. This congregation they named 'Pilgrims of Zion.' I'm sure they were thinking of the sentiments expressed in LH 480:

A pilgrim and a stranger, I journey here below:

Far distant is my country, the home to which I go.

Yet for the pilgrim, the journey is not just about arriving at the destination, but about all the experiences that take place during the journey. How does the story influence the journey? How does that story enable the pilgrim to cope with adversity along the journey?

Pilgrim or disciple

Pilgrim and disciple fit hand in glove. Think about the definition that I used earlier. Discipleship is a journey undertaken in the life of a story. The story in this case is the grand narrative of God's action to redeem the universe, beginning in his creation, enduring a setback in the fall, encompassing the rescue of God's people from slavery in Egypt, their tortuous journey toward the promised land, the repeated cycle of disobedience, repentance and restoration, God's warning through his prophets, exile and the promise of restoration. This story culminates in the birth of Jesus, through whose life, death and resurrection the future of humanity changes forever. It's this story that shapes the lives of Christian disciples.

For many years, the church has used the word 'member' to describe someone who has committed to be part of a congregation. On Sunday July 20, we welcomed some 21 'members' into the St Paul's community. There's good reason to use this term. Paul speaks of the new community that has been created through the cross: 'So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.' (Ephesians 2:19-20)

In cultural terms, though, membership isn't such a helpful word. Mike Foss notes that "In twentyfirst century United States [and Australia] membership brings privilege with little or no responsibility. I become a 'member' of Sam's club and for a minimal fee I receive the benefits of discount purchases of large quantities of goods. Membership ... has come to mean minimal investment for maximum benefit." (From Members to Disciples, p.5) You pay to receive some benefit, but there is no real expectation of any significant involvement.

Drawn into story

On the other hand, discipleship more clearly speak of someone who has been drawn into the story of Christ, and whose life reflects that story. The church's life is found in the "ancient and authentic story of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ." (Rick Barger, A New and Right Spirit, p.121)

St Paul's will still have members and speak of membership, but it is helpful to do so in terms of discipleship. Each disciple is supported by other learners. Each pilgrim can make more sense of the journey with fellow travellers and with guides. Pastors and staff at St Paul's function as these support people, to help unpack the meaning of the story of the Scriptures.

The congregation offers opportunities for people to grow as disciples. Worship is the weekly reorientation in God's story. Courses like Introducing God and Learning Christ provide an opportunity for pilgrims to immerse themselves more deeply in this story. Once our ministry extensions are complete, we plan to have adult education events on Sunday morning. Small groups are gatherings of fellow pilgrims for support and encouragement along the journey.

Following in their footsteps

Our congregation's founders no doubt thought long and hard about the name that they would give to this fledgling congregation back in 1948. Or perhaps they took the easy option out and chose the Lutheran default position: St Paul's. Did you know that there are over 54 Lutheran churches with this name in Australia?

On June 29, the church celebrated the festival of St Peter and St Paul: Apostles and Martyrs. You may, like me, be surprised that these two towering figures in the life of the early church share this day of commemoration. You would think that they would be worthy of a separate celebration. (By the way, there are only 21 St Peter's Lutheran churches in the LCA.)

Separately celebrated

In fact, the church does celebrate separate pivotal events in the lives of these men and fathers of the church. On January 18, we commemorate the confession of St Peter: "Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say that I am?' And they answered him, 'John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.' He asked them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Peter answered him, 'You are the Messiah.'"

Matthew lets us in on a further conversation between Jesus and Peter. Jesus points Peter to the source of his confession: "Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven." This is God's work. It's this confession that forms the building block of the church. "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church," on the rock of Peter's God-given confession. The truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, is the basis on which the church will build and grow.

A week after Peter's festival, on January 25, the church celebrates the Conversion of Paul. This is also due to God's gracious initiative. Saul, the one whose heart is set on persecuting the infant church, is struck down by none other than Jesus. Blinded by the light of the world, he is changed in an instant to one who will now follow the Lord he formerly persecuted. Now he knows that which Peter confessed, and he too knows it only through the grace of God. He too, like Peter, is gifted with his mission by Jesus himself: "He is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings, and before the house of Israel."

El Greco (a Greek-born, Italian-trained painter working in Spain), St Paul and St Peter, painted in oil on canvas between 1587-1592. Now in The Hermitage, St Petersburg, Russia.

Peter, the first disciple called by Jesus to leave his fishing boat and follow him; and Paul, who describes himself as one untimely born, and yet, as he writes, "set apart before I was born ... called through his grace, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles." Peter and Paul, brothers in apostleship, disciples together, sharing the privilege of sharing the good news of the mission of God. This was something much bigger than either of them and their reputations. Their whole lives were dedicated to telling the story of Jesus' life, death and resurrection.

What do we learn from these two men about being a disciple? The first thing that's clear is that they see everything that has been accomplished in their lives as the gift of God working in them. Paul is uncomfortable with the human adulation that came his way. Perhaps the fact that we celebrate this festival at all might disturb him. Without downplaying the role that God had given him, he writes to the Corinthians: "According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it... No one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ." This is a good point to remember as we engage in a building project.

The foundation principle

And on this foundation is built "God's temple." Each person who is in Christ is a dwelling place for God's Holy Spirit. This, of course, is the intent of the gospel: a life founded on the love of Christ witnessed to by God's messengers through the power of the Holy Spirit.

So too Peter can write in his first letter: "Come to Jesus, a living stone, though rejected by mortals, and precious in God's sight, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." Christ himself is the cornerstone, the content of Christian proclamation. "Whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."

Peter, whose name means rock, confesses that the rock on which his ministry and message is based is not his competence or constancy. He is no example of faith and fortitude. He can't comprehend the death of Jesus the Messiah. He is perplexed when Jesus is revealed in the fullness of his glory in his transfiguration. He decides to fight fire with fire in the garden. He denies Jesus three times. The only constant in his life is the forgiving love of his Lord, which restores him when he falls, the same love that grabs Paul by the scruff of his neck and turns his life round 180 degrees.

Peter and Paul stand together as co-witnesses to the cornerstone, Jesus Christ. It is the call of Christ that has given their lives meaning and purpose. And it's this call that will also take their lives too.

The church father St Augustine wrote: "Both apostles share the same feast day, for these two were one; and even though they suffered on different days, they were as one. Peter went first, and Paul followed. And so we celebrate this day made holy for us by the apostles' blood. Let us embrace what they believed, their life, their labours, their sufferings, their preaching, and their confession of faith.'

St Paul's Box Hill is not founded on the good news of Paul's life, but on the content of his witness. As we wrestle with plans for extending our church and building new facilities, may we always keep at the forefront of our minds the message of these preeminent apostles: that the church is built on the confession of Christ and nothing else.

Pastor Andrew Brook