When I teach a class on the Missional church, I always
include George Hunter’s book The Celtic Way of Evangelism on the required
reading list. Hunter explains very
clearly how a pagan people were won to the Christian faith, establishing an arm
of the church that flourished in a period when other parts of the church were
experiencing conflict and decline.
Although the role of St. Patrick in the conversion of the
Irish is shrouded in myth and legend, this “patron saint of Ireland” is
credited with the rapid conversion of the Irish to Christianity and the
establishment of an enduring Christian community there. Certain principles at the core of this
outreach reflect the experiences recounted of the mythical Patrick’s life, but
they are significant for us today even if they were not initiated by the man
himself.
First, those who led in the conversion of the Irish
understood the culture and used it to communicate the Christian faith. Legend tells us that Patrick had been
kidnapped from England as a youngster and spent several years as a slave in
Ireland before escaping. When he
returned as a missionary to Ireland, he knew the language, the social
structure, and the customs. Whether this
is true or not, the Christian mission to the Irish used the symbols and
mythology of the Irish to explain Christianity, building on concepts that the
people could grasp easily.
Second, Christian missionaries in Ireland understood the
value of community to the Irish people.
They established communities that invited both believers and
non-believers to participate. People
were able to belong and then believe. They
could observe what Christianity was all about before they converted to the
faith.
Third, the Christian church in Ireland embraced the egalitarianism
of the Irish society. In Irish culture,
women were respected and protected under the law. Because of this, the church accepted women in
significant leadership roles, even that of bishop. This increased the impact of the church in
Ireland much more than in parts of the world where women were not given this opportunity.
Hunter provides a great deal more information about both
the characteristics of the Irish or Celtic branch of the church in his book,
but he also points out how the approach taken by Patrick and his followers can
be applied to the church’s mission in North America today.
Ancient practices can be a fresh wind of the Spirit for
churches today.
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