I’d Go There
FROM THE RECTOR
One of the joys of hosting out-of-town company is the excuse to go to those special places nearby that you otherwise might not visit. A trip to Crystal Bridges, a hike at Devil’s Den, a coffee on the town square—these are the things we love to do but somehow find a reason not to do them until a guest gives us that extra incentive. Recently, when Adelyn and Angela were in town, I had the chance to drive to some of the places I have not been in a while, and it was a delight to remember and experience again the richness of our community’s resources.
Another thing I rediscovered while hosting them is the way the people of St. Paul’s describe our parish to newcomers. During their visit, we had the opportunity to meet with a handful of parishioners and staff members, and many of them used the same words or phrases to describe Fayetteville and St. Paul’s. Hearing those repeated descriptions, I was reminded of my own visit three years ago, when I was trying to discern whether God was calling us into ministry together. I was encouraged—both then and now—to hear multiple people offer overlapping perspectives that helped convey a clear and consistent picture of what life at St. Paul’s would be like.
One phrase in particular jumped out to me as a sign of both encouragement and challenge. Over and over, almost every person we spoke to offered some version of the same statement: “People in this community who do not go to church always say that, if they did go to church, they would go to St. Paul’s.” Have you heard that? Have people, upon learning that you are connected with our church, said something like that to you? Given how often we it heard last month and how often I remember hearing it back when I visited, I suspect there is deep truth in those words.
On the surface, that is a huge compliment to our parish. We are a congregation that cares more about others than ourselves. We are a church that welcomes everyone. Our worship is elegant. Our musical offerings are sublime. Our opportunities for spiritual formation are rich. And people know those things about us. Our brand of Christianity is one that non-religious people find appealing because we are following Jesus in ways that they find admirable. But aren’t we called to do more than be a model church? Aren’t we called not only to be faithful but to invite others into our community of faith?
Last Sunday, when preaching about Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8, Bishop Benfield challenged us to believe that Holy Scripture has something to say to everyone. The timeless good news of God in the Bible is not reserved for those who already show up and listen to sermons—to those who already call St. Paul’s their spiritual home. It speaks directly to the situations and circumstances of all people, regardless of where they are on their spiritual pilgrimage, offering to everyone the promise of blessing, comfort, peace, and salvation.
We have good news to share, and people all around us have noticed. Their admiration of our parish is a sign that they recognize that what we have to offer is good and valuable. But why are they still admiring us from a distance? Why haven’t we asked them to come and join us? Why aren’t more people saying, “I knew for years how great St. Paul’s is, and, when someone asked me if I wanted to be a part of that good work, I said yes?”
When Philip asked the eunuch whether he understood the passage from Isaiah that he was reading, the eunuch asked, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” Then, after Philip helped the inquirer see that those ancient words held good news for him, the eunuch asked to be baptized and become a Christian. Our situation is similar. Just like Philip, we are not starting from scratch. God’s work of love and salvation stretches throughout human history, and the people of this community have seen how that work is manifest in our parish. They are waiting for us to invite them to be a part of it. They are waiting on us to tell them that the good news of God’s love that we celebrate and explore at St. Paul’s is intended for them as well.
The next time you hear someone say, “If I ever went to church, I would go to St. Paul’s,” don’t hesitate. Ask them to join us. Invite them to come with you. The good things that God is doing in and through our parish are too good to keep to ourselves. We must share them.
Yours Faithfully,
Evan