It's a very outward looking model. No standing still. There's a whole world out there, and it needs to know the Good News that God loves us.
I know lots of people that act from this model. There's Cicely, who used to stand at Speakers' Corner, and brave all the hecklers. She really knew her stuff. And in Sheffield last Saturday, there was a little black lady, doing her best to be heard above the street musicians. (Quick note here - the musicians spoke to me of God too)
As well as individuals there are whole communities that take this model on board. I think it suits the American temperament better than the reserved English.
I am actually Irish, and quite an introvert. I will obviously speak up for God (as if God needed my defence!) and everyone knows where I am coming from, but I have a horror of pushing religion down people's throats. I know that when the Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons come knocking I do not receive them with an open mind. So why would people put up with me?
I am a happily married wife, mother and grandmother, but if I were anything else it would be a nun in an enclosed order, spending my life in prayer. It's some consolation that St Theresa of Lisieux is called the Patron Saint of the Missions, and she spent her short life doing ordinary things extraordinarily well, tucked away in her convent. She was also a Herald.
Actually, Herald on its own is a bit strange. Who decides on the interpretation of Scripture? People claim strange things that the Holy Spirit is said to have told them, but they often differ. This is where good old Institution comes into play. The institutionalised church sorted out what is Scripture in the first place, and as Catholics we have a wealth of tradition interpreting what it all means. I'm not denigrating personal insights. These are so important. But what about that pastor in America, who wanted to instigate 'Burn a Koran' day? Sheer bigotry. And done in God's name. Blasphemous.
It can also lead to a sort of triumphalism. 'We're right. Listen to us.' (Oops. I'm probably falling in to this trap myself by writing this blog. Only in my defence, I'm just meandering around, thinking aloud.)
Churches who see their mission as Herald also need to aware that they also need to look inwards. Their own community needs building up. As a Catholic I see this fulfilled in the Mass, which feeds us with Scripture and the bread of life, then sends us out.
I haven't got a photo of beautiful feet on a mountain (surprise surprise) but I have one of my grandson in his new football boots. I think that's an appropriate sign for Church as Herald. All kitted up and ready to go!
Footnote (lol) I have had a few religious books published, in my real name too, so I'm doing my little bit of heralding in this way, hopefully.
