18 Mar, 2026 The Parable of the Wedding Feast – Part II
The below modern parable is shaped from the comments of a town’s delivery coordinator in a gospel effort called ‘Hope Project’.
It is somewhat cutting. It speaks openly to things we usually avoid stating.
It is about vision among church leaders in the unity space.
I encourage that we choose NOT to take offence – instead considering what we might learn.
Introductory comments :
The Hope Project booklet delivery is relatively simple to achieve across about 90% of the communities we connect with. Coordinators see the simple sense of giving New Zealanders a gospel opportunity occasionally.
Within those communities, however, there are sometimes challenges in the coordination of efforts.
This parable directly reflects a Hope Project delivery/prayer walk coordinator’s experiences in a New Zealand town.
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The Parable of the Wedding Feast – Part II
Jesus explained how, with the most-pharisaical of his invited guests having made their excuses, a King had ordered that invitations to the Feast be extended to the ‘unwashed masses’ on the byways and highways instead (Matthew 22:1-14).
In my country, it was later realised that most in the community had no one trying to pass on this invitation from the King. An effort was, however, initiated that could pass this important invitation on to all. No conversations or door-knocking were required. It was deliberately very simple. TV and web media would convey the message, while printed invitations would be gifted to each home. Paid for by a small few, all the King’s servants had to do was rally a few of those they led to deliver the invitations.
There was no equivalent effort anywhere in sight.
The majority of those who would receive the invitations would hear of it by no other means – in the present year at least.
Involvement from less than 5% of the Kings servants in the town was needed to accomplish the small task – which could be done and dusted within a mere 90 minutes. (For Tauranga, involvement from just 1% of church attendees covers the whole city.) It really couldn’t be made easier.
>> All that was needed was willingness from the lead servants.
However…
…when the lead servants were invited, many were quickly unable or unwilling to share the vision with or involve those they led.
- One said, “If we had more time we might help. We’re too busy and we need more time.” The irony was, they had been reminded to put this in their calendars five months prior – and two years prior. More couldn’t have been done.
- Another said, “This isn’t our thing. We do our own things.” They didn’t perceive this wider work and request to be their responsibility. They also did seem to only do their own things.
- Another wanted a meeting first, because – in their words – they hadn’t consented to this invitation going out. They seemed nervous they might somehow be obligated – then stating when they realised this wasn’t the case that their people were too old. They were free to decline – but was the reason given true? The reality was that many could still walk perfectly fine, while others had mobility scooters. I’ve known older people to consider it a privilege to be involved – even if delivering only 1 or 2 per streets day, to cover areas near their home. They considered involvement a privilege.
- Another validly said they were maxed out, with many recent changes in their small congregation. This one made sense. No person can do everything.
And so it came down to three remaining churches whose instinct was different. “Of course. What a great goal,” said one. “That sounds simple. I’m sure we could help,” said another.
While the extent of their help varied in proportion to how clearly they perceived the purpose, their combined capacity was enough to see…
The result
…The Kings invitation was passed on to half the community. We rejoiced in this. The King was surely pleased these had an opportunity.
However, I’m left wondering how he feels about the rest.
All that was needed was willingness by some people to go for a walk.
The request made to the lead servants couldn’t be easier.
I have to admit that I don’t understand.
After the unused invitations had sat there for a while they were placed in the recycling bin.
The environmentalists felt pleased.
Closing comments from Dave Mann
We stand grateful to all church leaders and members who have participated over the years.
We affirm that no individual or church has to help also.
We genuinely believe God’s Church is amazing!
What is achieved is simply outstanding.
15 years ago, who would have believed our churches would be pulling this off together nationally?
However in balance to this, the above story from a town’s coordinator is also true.
I pass it on only with a view to what we could learn.