The Rev. Dr. Maggi Dawn, an Anglican chaplain at Cambridge University, puts a marvelous twist on the concept of mission, comparing it to midwifery.
… I grew up thinking mission was either an embarrassing and fruitless effort to persuade your friends to come to Church, or (even worse) a total commitment to a joyless life in Africa. It makes a mockery of the message of the gospel. …
Mission is more like being a midwife, really – you don’t have to “do” mission, for only God can call people to himself. … [A]s every woman knows, a midwife, while not strictly essential for birth, is someone you wouldn’t be without if you could possibly help it.
… A good midwife enters into the moment with you, sees you right and then leaves you to get on with it once you’re on your feet. A good midwife ensures that what we fondly think happens “naturally” does, in most cases, happen well and happily, often averting disaster in the process.
Maybe that’s what mission ought to feel like. Not trying to make births happen from phantom pregnancies. Certainly not taking the credit for the live births. But seeing where the work of God is going on, and quietly putting the care and assistance into the process to ensure a safe delivery and some aftercare. …
Definitely read the whole thing.
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