Where is Church in Luke 10?

Where is community? Is this church?

"1After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

5″When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. 7Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

8″When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. 9Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’ 10But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11′Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.’ 12I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town." (Luke 10:1-12)

Think about the question in relation to the text and then feel free to add your comments and insights to these reflections…

Where is community? Is this church? Community was identified in two places;

Firstly, in the dialogue between the Lord of the harvest and Jesus, which ushers in the missio dei of being sent out to where Jesus intends to go (verse 2).

Secondly in “table fellowship” in the practices of dwelling, eating and drinking among cultural networks. The gathered include the strangers (or Others in postmodern discourse).

The gathering allows the practices of gift-giving; as the visitor shares their gifts of “peace” and “healing” and the locals share their food and hospitality

The “table talk” includes the intentionality of an agenda of peace (holistic shalom); given and (potentially) received, and the Kingdom proclaimed in word and deed.

The “table talk” of the house (v. 5-7), is related and in dialogue to the talk of the town (v. 8-12); for there is a textual echo between house and town.

The “table talk” is caught in the tension between grace and judgement. Will peace be received or returned?

The “table fellowship” is not isolated, because they are linked to “sending” community. Thus we are offered a vision of church as local yet with a global horizon. Equally, they are a table with an eschatological view, for the “table fellowship” is waiting in anticipation for the coming of Jesus.

Conclusion: Luke 10:1-12 is a fascinating text within which to reflect on missional ecclesiology.

With thanks to the Tall Skinny Kiwi.