Doing what missionaries do
August 5, 2009
“Outward-facing,” “missional,” “evangelistic”–whatever terms are used and whatever baggage each term may carry–are terms which should describe our church. At FPC Kosciusko we speak in terms of ‘pursuing people’ and of ‘REACHING’ others by (1) making room for outsiders through long-term relationships and multiple exposures to the Gospel and (2) committing ourselves to spend and be spent in local outreach, church planting and world missions.
Below is an excerpt from a blog entry by a man who was once my pastor–The Rev. Mark Bates, who now leads the Village Seven Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In his blog A View from 6000 Feet, he says some of the same things. I enjoy finding others who say some of these better than I can say them.
Whatever term one chooses to use, these are some of the important thoughts that need to be expressed:
1. It is a reminder that the church as a body, and Christians as individual members of this body, are on a mission. We are the “sent out” people of God. The Greek word for church, ecclesia, means ‘called out.’ The idea is that we have been called out of the world as God’s beloved, chosen people. Yet, as the whole thrust of Scripture shows, God never calls you in unless He also sends you out. Jesus said, “So send I you.” We tend to live in our Christian ghetto, forgetting that we are to carry out the mission of Christ.
2. It is a wake up call to the reality that we are in a post-Christian culture. Christendom is over in the west. I don’t think the majority of Christians realize this. We need to view our own culture as the mission field. Certainly, the rest of the Christian world does. So, if you were going to send missionaries to America, to your state, and your city, what would you expect those missionaries to do? How would those missionaries seek to embody the gospel in such a way as to reach the people of your community for Christ and enfold them into the Church? Well, God has sent you and has sent your church. You and your church should be doing what missionaries do. Failure to take this seriously is to be unfaithful to the God who redeemed you.
