Greenock has both an LDS and JW presence in it but we’ve had no interactions with them until today. I had just finished a pastoral visit and was checking my phone to put some music on while walking to get lunch and do some work when a pair of Mormon missionaries stopped me. One was from Australia but the other didn’t say a word.
They could tell that I’m American and then knew that I would have some familiarity with their beliefs. The chatty one asked me if folks from our church engage in any outreach work. I shared about our mall outreach events and the work that various people do in prisons and with Good News For Everyone.
The missionary then asked why we do this work and that was easy to answer. Because we love Jesus. He explained that they do their own missionary duty to obey the command. While I can understand that we have a mission to obey, it felt telling that there was no affection in his voice as he explained why they do what they are doing.
One of the big things that I am enjoying as I keep reading and rereading 1 Peter is that everything Peter speaks about is in relation to the Christian’s identity as a part of a chosen and precious people. It’s such a blessing to know that that is to be our starting place, not an empty sense of duty.
I gave the two missionaries my card. I didn’t have enough time to chat with them but I really do hope they get in touch.