Heart, effort and teamwork needed to minister to ‘the least of these’

T-minus five days until the Matthew 25 invitation is officially extended

by Mike Ferguson | Presbyterian News Service

The Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, president and executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, updates the PMA board Wednesday on the Matthew 25 invitation, which has its official roll-out Monday. (Photo by Mari Graham)

LOUISVILLE — With all the skill and passion she’s built spending 30 years in the pulpit, the Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett christened the Matthew 25 Invitation before the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board Wednesday.

The official roll-out — inviting churches, mid councils and agencies to the General Assembly-mandated work of building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism and eradicating systemic poverty — is Monday, when the Matthew 25 website goes live.

Moffett, the president and executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, explained to the board the logic behind the invitation.

“Because of our faith in Jesus Christ, we cannot help but be people of justice and love and do what God tells us to do,” she said.

Beginning Monday, churches, mid councils and agencies will be invited to accept the Matthew 25 invitation in any or all of these areas:

Building congregational vitality

The Matthew 25 invitation defines this as “challenging people and congregations to deepen their faith and grow as servant leaders and disciples who are actively and joyfully engaged with their community by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Rather than measuring vitality by the size of church rolls or budget, “it is about being faithful.”

Dismantling structural racism

This can be accomplished, Moffett said, by “applying our faith in advocating and acting to break down the systems, practices and thinking that underlie discrimination, bias, prejudice and oppression of people of color.”

Angling for an explanation, Moffett turned to fish.

“If one fish rolls up on the shore you say, ‘What’s wrong with the fish?’” she said. “If a school of fish shows up on the shore, you ask, ‘What is wrong with the water?’”

Eradicating systemic poverty

This will involve “employing our faith and beliefs in helping to change laws, policies, plans and structures in society that perpetuate economic exploitation of people who are poor,” she said. “We want to blame the victim and we try to fix people, but there are economic systems that perpetuate poverty.”

It’s work that will require Presbyterians to use their extremities: “We must put feet to faith, hands to hope and legs to love,” she told the board.

The Hands and Feet Initiative begun by the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA), the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, around working in the General Assembly cities of St. Louis and Baltimore, fits nicely within the Matthew 25 vision, Moffett said.

“Hands and Feet is an initiative of Matthew 25,” she said. “Matthew 25 is the vision.”

The Presbyterian Mission Agency Board and church staff worship Wednesday. (Photo by Mari Graham)

As the invitation is accepted and embraced by a critical mass — 20 percent is Moffett’s bellwether — these indicators will be apparent, she said:

• An increase in the spiritual energy of congregations
• Increased impact of the church on the world
• An increase in new disciples, and participation in ministry and worship
• The ignition of the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s witness and work.

“As you declare you are a Matthew 25 church (or mid council or agency), mark the time and observe what happens with your ministry so that we can do a qualitative assessment,” she suggested.

Already, a half-dozen presbyteries representing 480 churches — along with one of the PC(USA)’s 16 synods — have heard Moffett’s vision for the Matthew 25 invitation and have unofficially signaled their intent to join.

Denominational staffers, she said, are being “strategic” with the Matthew 25 marketing plan, which includes a logo, website, brochures and other resources, and a welcome kit.

As congregations live out their commitment, they’ll be asked to share, via a brief essay or short video, the impact that accepting the invitation has made.

“So like the early church, your renewed faith will fan the flames and encourage other congregations to also embrace our common mission,” she said.

Presbyterian Mission Agency Board Chair Joe Morrow addresses his fellow board members Wednesday. (Photo by Mari Graham)

“My ask of you,” she told the board, “is to be a champion for the Matthew 25 invitation. As board members, you are in the best position to help carry this word, this invitation, to the greater church.”

The invitation gives Presbyterians common ground, she said, and the chance “to come together and help the PC(USA) become a more relevant presence in the world.”

Following Moffett’s presentation, the board voted to enter into closed session to discuss the future of the Stony Point Center.

Administrative committees were to meet Wednesday over dinner. The Thursday plenary session begins with 9:30 a.m. worship in the Chapel at the Presbyterian Center.