The Call and Commission of the Church
Series: Our Mission Statement
Article 1: The Call and Commission of the Church
The concept of a mission statement is one that’s deeply tied to our identity in Christ and what He is doing through us. In this article, we’ll explore how we can fulfill Jesus’ commission by turning to the Bible, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and living out the purpose of the church together as a united local body. At the heart of it all is making disciples, following Jesus’ example of calling and creating disciples. Join us on this journey of discovering our purpose and living it out in a way that honors God and impacts the world around us.
Matthew chapter 28:16-20
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
The question of a mission statement is tied to our identity in Christ and what he is doing through us. When discussing the concept of a mission statement, at the core of this discussion is the question of who we are in Christ and what we are doing with him, or what he is doing through us.
It is important to be clear about what we are not attempting to achieve with our mission statement and our value statements. The purpose of a mission statement is not to be innovative or creative in discovering our identity. We are not attempting to be innovative or creative in discovering our identity. Our goal is not to create a new understanding of the church’s purpose, nor are we simply trying to follow a trendy church movement. Our aim is not to create a unique mission for the church that has never been given before, but rather to remember that Jesus has already given his mission to the church.
Our aim is to remember that Jesus has already given his mission to the church.
When Jesus came, he had a clear mission, goal, and target. This mission is also the mission of the church. Therefore, it is crucial to remember that it is Jesus’ mission, and we must listen to him and follow him in his mission. This mission is encapsulated in the passage provided by Matthew, and it is the mission of the entire church, not just a particular denomination or group.
Jesus’ Mission for the Church
We are not simply asking ourselves what we desire. We are turning to the Bible and asking Jesus what commands he has given to the church. This is the core of our mission. We aim to understand how these commands apply to our local Christ Church extension. We assess our progress, scrutinizing how well we are fulfilling this mission. We return to the Bible, gathering around the words of Christ, and intentionally ask questions such as how we are embodying His teachings, living them out, and fulfilling them. We know that Jesus has already laid out the plan, and it is our duty to participate in it as a local body. We strive to contribute to what Jesus is doing in the world and how we can join with Him through the scriptures and the empowering of the Holy Spirit.
Fulfilling Jesus’ Commission
The aim is to fulfill the commission that Jesus has given to the church. We do this by studying the whole counsel of God’s word, exploring how to live it out in various aspects. We then pray and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to discern how God wants us to implement these teachings as a church. Finally, we articulate what we believe God has said in a clear and compelling manner.
The next step is to consider how to proceed. The central theme here is obedience to scripture, and that is our primary goal. We don’t intend to come up with a set of good ideas and then try find fitting Bible verses. Rather, we strive to follow God’s Word and be obedient as His people. We have the freedom to be led by the Holy Spirit and act in accordance with His guidance as a local church. It’s important to emphasize that our focus is on living out the life and purpose of the church together.
Living Out the Purpose of the Church
Our goal is to act as a united local body, pursuing the same objectives together. While our approach may be unique, guided by God’s Spirit, we desire to be informed by scripture and empowered by the Holy Spirit. We must remember what Jesus told us: apart from Him, we can do nothing. Thus, we don’t seek to be innovative or creative. Instead, we rely on Christ to live through us. We want to abide in the vine, taking Jesus’ words to heart. Even the most creative and trendy Instagram mission statement is fruitless without abiding in Christ.
Holy Spirit’s empowerment, aim to abide in Christ
It’s essential to remember that Christ is at the center of everything we do. He promised to send the Holy Spirit, who serves as our Helper and Advocate. As a result, we rely on the Holy Spirit’s empowerment as we abide in Christ. This is our aim. With that lengthy introduction, we must now focus on how God is leading us to act. We must consider how it feels to be part of this church and how it feels to participate in what God is doing through us. At the heart of it all is nothing more than classic Christian discipleship.
The Heart of Our Church: Making Disciples
At the heart of our church is the desire to make disciples, not just fill seats and get bigger. We aim to develop deep individuals, following Jesus’ example of calling and creating disciples. Our command is to make disciples, and we constantly ask ourselves how we can do this effectively. How can someone move from unbelief to a mature Christian lifestyle through what God does through us? It takes work, ministry, love, and training. We also consider the experience of newcomers, ensuring they feel warmly welcomed, invited, and connected while hearing and believing the gospel. Our ultimate goal is to see them become strong, faithful, mature, and active members of our church.
Building Strong Foundations: The Journey of Children in Our Church
Another question that frequently comes to mind, and one that we’ve been discussing, is what it’s like for a child to be born into our church? We consider our vision for that child, the goals, processes, and journey we want to set them on to develop a strong, consistent Christian faith that will endure. The child is dedicated as a baby and attends kids services, then moving on to new programs as they grow. Our aim is for them to become a good, consistent Christian by the time they reach 18 or beyond.
To reiterate, our aim is to articulate these values and live them out as a community. While this may require effort and change, it will ultimately be a positive and fulfilling experience. After all, we are all striving towards the common goal of being a disciple and making disciples, as Jesus intended for us.
