The Pilgrims' Missional Progress

By Melinda McMahon

Inspired by John Bunyan’s “The Pilgrims Progress: From this world to that which is come”, The Pilgrims’ Missional Progress retells the story of Christian and Hopeful’s progress when the King sends them back into the City of Destruction to do the work of the Evangelist.
What if the pilgrims, rather than regarding The Celestial City as the goal of their pilgrimage, joined Evangelist in spreading the good news of the King to the citizens of the City of Destruction?
What if the places, rather than swamps, castles and dungeons, the pilgrims encountered those at parks, bus stops, libraries and shopping centres as pilgrims of today experience?
The allegory of THE PILGRIMS’ MISSIONAL PROGRESS attempts to weave the spiritual with the physical, the sacred with the secular, so that The Interpreter’s spiritual presence is recognised in the everyday here and now.
THE PILGRIMS’ MISSIONAL PROGRESS captures the King’s missional heart for the citizens of the City of Destruction, desiring “none to perish, but for all to come to repentance”. The story also provides glimpses of the King’s restorative plan for the ground upon which the damaged City of Destruction is built.
THE PILGRIMS’ MISSIONAL PROGRESS heralds the King’s calling for the church to be a community of pilgrims who “do the work of the Evangelist”, forming communities of light in their neighbourhoods, towns and cities as they dwell in the King’s damaged world which has been ravaged by the Wicked Prince.
THE PILGRIMS’ MISSIONAL PROGRESS emphasises The Interpreter’s essential role in leading and guiding the pilgrims’ evangelistic work. Rather than being alone in the City of Destruction, with only the King’s book for guidance, Evangelist mentors the pilgrims, while The Interpreter opens their eyes to discern the King’s continual presence in their neighbourhoods.
THE PILGRIMS’ MISSIONAL PROGRESS also incorporates the important role discipleship plays in the maturity of a pilgrim. Rather than portraying spiritual maturity as having arrived in the country of Beulah, a place where the Wicked Prince and his soldiers never come, spiritual maturity is modelled after the Apostle Paul. Paul did not consider the pinnacle of his pilgrimage was his own maturity, rather his quest was to be an instrument in the hands of his Saviour, finishing the work assigned to him – the work of telling others the good news about the wonderful grace of God. To this end Paul laboured, until the lives of the burdened pilgrims he introduced to Christ were transformed into his image so they, in turn, were empowered to become disciple-makers.
THE PILGRIMS’ MISSIONAL PROGRESS affirms the King’s desire for both men and women to be commissioned for his missional work in the world. In Bunyan’s allegory, Christian’s two companions, Faithful and Hopeful, were men, in tune with the historical setting of its time. Therefore, to affirm the King’s desire for both men and women to work alongside each other in team ministry, THE PILGRIMS’ MISSIONAL PROGRESS depicts Hopeful as a woman, a companion sent by the King to work with Christian, together fulfilling their evangelistic work. Like modern day team ministry settings, no undertones of romantic involvement between the two pilgrims is depicted.
When the King’s Son, Jesus, entered the City of Destruction, his presence brought the Kingdom of The Celestial City into the physicality of everyday life. In THE PILGRIMS’ MISSIONAL PROGRESS The Celestial City is not a “far off beautiful country”. Rather the citizens of The Celestial City are an embodiment of the King’s new heavenly city which is becoming. The King’s Magnificent City is being revealed in the City of Destruction, in the here and now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melinda McMahon
• Release date: Nov 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463273760

Melinda McMahon

Melinda McMahon lives in the beautiful riverside village of Toronto on Lake Macquarie, New South Wales in Australia. In this delightfully quiet village I manage to keep myself very busy working full-time as a School Chaplain at a private Christian School in Newcastle.

Book preview

Chapter 1

The Shining Ones Declare the King’s Mission

for His Pilgrims to be Sent into

the City of Destruction

Having passed over the Enchanted Ground, the pilgrims hoped that their journey was nearing its end. When they entered the Land of Delight, they were overjoyed to find it a most beautiful country. Its mountains were covered with trees and its valleys were green with soft grass and flowers with fragrances which made the heart joyful. In the distance shone the glorious light of The Celestial City.

As Christian and Hopeful journeyed further toward the glorious city, they saw by the light radiating from the inhabitants of the Land of Delight that they were true servants of the King. Christian and Hopeful were kindly welcomed and shown great hospitality by these wise ones.

If you stay here in the Land of Delight your troubles will be over, for it is from here that the King calls his children to enter into his City.

Will he send for us soon? asked Christian.

We cannot tell you that, replied a wise one. Sometimes pilgrims live quietly in this land for many months, and sometimes the King gives them work to do for him in the country of the Wicked Prince.

I remember, said Christian. When Help drew me out of the Slough of Despondency, he said that he had been close to the gates of the City, but the King had given him some work that he would have to do before he entered.

Christian and Hopeful trusted in the King’s good will and spent their days learning from the wise ones and listening to their stories of the King’s faithfulness.

One day as the pilgrims were walking in the King’s orchards eating the pleasant fruit from the vines and trees, two Shining Ones appeared.

Peace be with you.

The pilgrims grew quiet as they asked earnestly,

My lords, we seem so close to the gates of the King’s City, do you know when we will be called home?

Faithful pilgrims, the Shining One began, You both have travelled a great distance from the City of Destruction. Evangelist has taught you well, instructing you in the Way of the King. Although you encountered many difficulties and made some foolish errors, the King has sustained you on your journey.

As one the Shining Ones declared with great joy, Praise be to our eternal King!

Christian and Hopeful could not help but join in.

Will we now enter the City? Hopeful glanced across to Christian, knowing how much he longed to see his mother.

There is an important work that the King requires of you both.

The pilgrims listened intently.

The work that the King’s Son began in the City of Destruction, many years ago, is still in progress. This work must continue.

What work is that? Christian asked.

The City of Destruction was not always a dangerous place. At the very beginning, the King created a Magnificent City, and he visited his City every day. His radiant presence gave the City light, and its streets and fields were filled with fine buildings, and delicious fruit grew in abundance on the trees.

Like the fruit that grows on the trees here in the Land of Delight? Christian exclaimed.

The Shining Ones nodded.

The City of Destruction is not like that now, remarked Christian.

You are right, the Wicked Prince has done much damage. He entered the King’s City shortly after the King built it, deceiving the City’s rulers, and their deception allowed the curse of death, sickness and evil to spread. The ground of the City continues to cry out to the King for deliverance from this curse.

I thought the King was going to destroy the City. That is why we were told to ‘flee from the wrath to come’. Christian turned to Hopeful, who nodded in agreement.

The King has not abandoned the City he created, although the Wicked Prince tried to destroy it. The King’s plan has always been to bring restoration and renewal, redeeming those who are lost, so that the City returns to be the Magnificent Celestial City he originally created. A City so magnificent the whole land is filled with the glory of the King.

What will become of those who do not choose the King?

The King’s Son will indeed return to judge the inhabitants of the City of Destruction and his fiery judgement is imminent. Yet, the last trumpet call has yet to be blown.

Christian listened earnestly as the Shining Ones continued, The King loves the citizens of the City of Destruction. He is very patient with them, not wanting any to perish. It is for this reason that the King sends Evangelists into the world.

What will become of the City of Destruction? Hopeful enquired.

"Although the old heaven and the old earth and sea will pass away, the glorious Celestial City which now glows before your eyes will come out of heaven and rest on the new earth. Remember what is written in the King’s book,

"Look, he is making everything new!"

As Christian and Hopeful turned and looked at the bright lights of The Celestial City, their faces filled with disappointment. The two Shining Ones reached out and turned the pilgrims’ sad faces towards them and spoke to each intently.

"The King’s Evangelists are very precious to the King for they take the King’s heart and message into the world. The King’s vision has resounded through the ages. His servant John was called to write down the vision:

"God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. He will be their light and will reign for every more."

The pilgrims looked at each other puzzled by these words. Although the pilgrims had read the words in the King’s book, they had not fully understood them.

What is the work that you would have us do?

The Shining Ones placed their hands on the pilgrims’ shoulders.

The King sends you into the City of Destruction, to the people whom he loves, to do the work of the Evangelist. There you will make many new followers of the Way of the King. You both must do this work until the King calls you home.

At this point the glow surrounding the Shining Ones grew so bright, the pilgrims were obliged to shield their eyes. When, at last, they opened their eyes again Christian and Hopeful found themselves in an unfamiliar room.

Evangelist’s Missional Practice:

Missional pilgrims understand spiritual maturity, not as an inward spiritual pilgrimage, but as a life journey in which the spiritual realm overlaps the physical realm, and life is shared with potential pilgrims for the purpose of making new disciples.

Chapter 2

The King’s Book and

The Interpreter’s Gifts

When Christian opened his eyes, he realised he had been sleeping in a warm, inviting room. His eyes darted around, seeking any clue as to where he may be. Although the room was unfamiliar, the picture on the wall of the Good Shepherd reassured him he was safe, and in the home of a faithful follower of the King.

Christian looked over at Hopeful who lay asleep in a bed on the other side of the room. Hopeful began to stir, and sweeping her brown hair off her face, she rubbed her eyes. She blinked several times, obviously awakening from a deep sleep. Christian, too, had been reluctant to wake up from the vivid dream he had just experienced.

Looking around the room Christian was overjoyed to see the armour he had received at the Beautiful Mansion now lying beside his bed. A set of armour also lay beside Hopeful’s bed, but she was yet to catch sight of it.

Hopeful! Are you awake?

Sitting up slowly, Hopeful looked across at Christian, reassured her companion was close by. She looked around the room, and then towards the window, as though trying to work out where she was.

Wh …where are we? Hopeful asked tentatively.

I am not certain. However, I am sure we are in a safe place.

But Christian could not contain himself any longer.

Hopeful, I just had the most amazing dream. Would you like to hear it?

Thinking that while Christian talked, she may find her bearings, Hopeful nodded eagerly. She had also experienced a most intriguing dream, but she wanted to ponder it more before sharing it with Christian. Hopeful leaned against the bedhead, looking at the pictures which adorned the walls. She then peered through the small window and looked towards the city scape that lay before her.

"Well Hopeful, I simply must tell you, for you were in my dream. Isn’t that incredible?"

Hopeful nodded and began to wonder whether her dream was the same as Christian’s. Rather than stop him, however, she let him continue.

I dreamt that while we were in the Land of Delight …. Oh Hopeful, do you remember how delicious the fruit was from those trees? Hopeful nodded, urging Christian to continue. Well, we were visited by two Shining Ones. They gave us a message. The King has given us an important work to do in our old home, the City of Destruction.

Hopeful sat bolt upright and threw her legs over the side of the bed.

Why Christian! I, too, received the same message from the King. Christian’s eyes opened wide, and it was Hopeful’s turn to continue. The Shining Ones told us that we were to do the work of the Evangelist.

Both pilgrims were silent, the events of their dreams still vividly whirling in their hearts and in their heads.

Suddenly, a knock on the bedroom door disturbed the stillness.

When the familiar face of Evangelist appeared around the door, his tall figure sent a wave of reassurance over the pilgrims.

They were in a safe place!

Evangelist invited the pilgrims to eat some breakfast, so the three moved into the kitchen. As soon as they entered the room, they were delighted to discover another familiar face waiting to enjoy a hearty breakfast with them.

Why …. It is The Interpreter! exclaimed Christian in astonishment. Where have you come from?

You will find, now that you are present in the City of Destruction, I will be your constant companion. The Interpreter’s warm smile seemed to fill the room. I will accompany you wherever you go.

As they ate together, the pilgrims could not contain themselves as they talked of the dream they had both experienced.

Although Evangelist was profoundly interested to hear all the details, The Interpreter listened silently without uttering a word. His smile, however, reassured the pilgrims their words were bringing him great joy.

At last The Interpreter spoke,

The King is overjoyed that you accepted his mission to return to the City of Destruction to do the work of the Evangelist. It is a most important work, carrying the King’s heart and message into the City which he loves.

When will we begin? Christian asked eagerly, wanting to get started right away. The fruit the pilgrims had eaten in the Land of Delight had given them great energy.