06/09/2026
Sundays with CWM
6 September Mission: church in action - Rev. Nigel Lindsay
Connecting with God and community
After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” (Matthew 25:19-25)
Many of us who attend churches have a pile of resources, money, houses, businesses, knowledge, and skills. Some of us may be retired and have time, which is such a valuable resource. I wonder: has God given us all this so we can sit on it and look out on our struggling, hurting neighbour?
When I lived as a Partner in Mission in Grenada, the sitting room in my house was bigger than the whole house lived in by a woman in the church I served. She had three children, one of whom was unable to walk. The house was at the top of a steep hill and on stilts with steps going up. What can we do to show Jesus’ Kingdom values of love and justice for those in need?
Many are proud people and want to maintain their own dignity and so sometimes hide the struggles they experience day in and day out. It is not wise to give to people and so create a dependence culture, but it is right to empower people so they can make life better for themselves. In this Bible passage (Matthew 25: 20-23) two out of three people use their money well and are able to make a better life for themselves and probably their families.
Following Hurricane Beryl in Grenada in 2024 we became aware of those struggling and were able to offer some training in restarting/starting and managing a small business using skills of people in the church. Each family could then receive a grant to start the business. Some bought goats, pigs, chickens, herbs, food, etc. A year on, most have used the resource well and have grown, sold, and bought increased amounts of new stock. A few have used the money for other things and now need more. I have done this in a number of settings in different countries; we all learn from mistakes, but if we get 70% success, it is worth it and we have shown God’s love to those in our community.
Many of our traditional churches are getting smaller as people choose to opt out of any Christian commitment or go to more lively denominations. People need to see we care about their physical, and spiritual needs. Jesus demonstrated that. This doesn’t result in 70% making a Christian commitment, but it does change people’s views of the group entering a strange building on Sundays—and maybe one day they will enter.
Each community is unique with different needs, as is each collection of people meeting in a building such as the local church. Check out the needs in your area. What skills and resources do you have as a local church? What is God already doing in your community?
Then step out—small steps to start. What’s great is that you don’t have to do it alone; God is with you, and let’s not do it to people in our community but do it with people in our community. When we do it with people, they can contribute, feel part, and feel they belong. When they belong, God does his stuff and they make a Christian commitment.
Let’s not shy away from encouraging a Christian commitment alongside empowering those in need to glean (Ruth 2:8): “So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me.”
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we all have physical needs and spiritual needs; through your Son Jesus, you showed us how he met physical needs of those around him and, through that, for many, their spiritual journey started.
We thank you that you have given us resources of money, buildings, transport, and skills. Help us to use those precious resources for the good of those in our communities so they are empowered, understand Kingdom values, and want to be part of your Kingdom.
Give us wisdom; guide, protect, and grow us on our faith journey.
We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
This reflection is taken from the publication Sundays with CWM 2026.
© CWM
