Random thoughts on...

MISSION

What is the mission Jesus has given the Church?  Do you know?

Was it to gather people together for sermons and songs?

Was it to help the poor and marginalized?

Was it to have a quite time everyday and get in a small group?

To these questions I would have to answer “NO”! 

In His great commission Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19). 

The mission is disciple making. 

All these other things are simply bi-products and different means to accomplish the singular mission Christ has given the Church to make disciples.  Understanding this changes the way we measure success as a church family. 

Success is not simply seeing people show up on Sunday for sermons and songs.

Success is not simply seeing people make a public profession of faith through baptism.

Success is not simply seeing people get plugged into community groups.

All of these things are good and we pray to see these things happen, but these things alone do not constitute success for Redemption.  The mission Jesus has given us a church family is to make disciples. 

So, what is a disciple?

def. A disciple is someone who lives in day-by-day submission to the loving leadership of Jesus by His grace and for His glory.

We can fill a room with people who listen well, sing loud, and leave completely unaffected by the gospel.  When we stand before Jesus He won't ask us how big we grew our Sunday service.  The question Jesus will ask you and I is this:

Did you make disciples?