Witness

The meaning of the word witness is broader and deeper when we look towards our Christian witness. The word usually has a functional meaning: to describe events observed, to report those events, to attest to the truth of facts, or, to attest to the truth of belief. These connotations set the person in conflict, or at least in contest, with the other witnesses around them.

Witness is broader as Christian witness because it means words as well as action. We can witness to the goodness of Christ's life in our by choosing to share our lives with others. We can witness to the goodness of Christ's life in ours by choosing to shape our lives according to the discipline of giving of our time, talent and treasure so that others know Christ's life. We can witness to the goodness of Christ's life in our by respecting the dignity of each person we encounter. These forms of witness are part of the Baptismal Covenant that Episcopalians affirm.

Witness is deeper as Christian witness because it asks each of us to be both individually dediacted to our spiritual growth as well as beings members of a Christian community that is growing in faith. Witness is deeper when we draw upon the living Christ within us to help us navigate those places when we intentionally move outside of our comfort zone. Witness asks us to keep the larger picture in mind: my needs, the needs of my household, and the needs of the community balance one another.

The first generations of Christians held all their goods in common. Yes, they attended to their own needs and the needs of their households but they also were mindful dedicate a portion of their goods for use of the community. They shared their money, material possessions, and gifts for the goodness of sharing and not for the control of determining where those shared goods would be distributed.

Christian witness raises the goodness of Christ's life for us, in us, around us, and for others to the forefront of our words and actions.