When we say our reason for being is to make disciples of Jesus, it often gets interpreted into numbers of people we bring into the church. That's ok, because we often transform those lives with the presence of God's love. But that is just the beginning. Our call and command is to inspire and teach those transformed folks to begin the journey of a lifetime which is learning to live a Jesus kind of life and that primarily involves going forth into the world to proclaim with their lives the good news of the Kingdom of God. In other words, even though church is very important, it is a means to an end....not the end itself. (see Matthew Ch. 10 about disciples being sent.)
So, I see it kind of like this:
*Helping people experience the presence and love of God.
*Creating "Christian community" and together becoming more like Jesus.
*Going forth into the world...our families, neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, community agencies, the hidden and hurting among us... to build the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. In other words, we go about transforming, often in little but significant ways, "secular" communities into "sacred" communities of Love and Shalom.
Next Sunday ...GO COLTS!!!!!!!!!!!
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2 comments:
I agree. I think we have a secular mindset when it comes to measuring our success...or lack there of. The reality of the matter is that God's mindset is much different.
The difference is simply a difference between success and significance. Sure, you can be successful in the eyes of society, but are you significant for the Kingdom of God. That is what we are called to do...nothing more and nothing less.
Amen Tony. Jesus probably wasn't seen as very sucessful. His numbers were up and down. And he was always encouraging his disciples to do things secretly which wouldn't show up on anyone's radar. "Sucess" in the church is important and can somewhat be measured, but sucess in the kingdom most often cannot.
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