Can anybody tell me where we’re going?

talking about vision and whether we have one – part three

Searching for Meaning

Looking for Answers

Feeling Guilty

Feeling Lonely

The Church as a Magnet

Searching for Meaning

Looking for Answers

Feeling Guilty

Feeling Lonely

Barriers to the Church as a Magnet

DIVERSIT

Y DISILLUSIO

NMEN

T

DISIN

TEREST

NeighbourhoodsWorkplaces

Community GroupsSchools

The Church as a Mission

The Church as a Mission

• God is on a mission

• Jesus shows us how the mission works

• The Holy Spirit assembles us and empowers us for God’s mission

God is on a mission

“ Making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”

Ephesians 1:9 & 10

God is on a mission

“ For in Christ all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”

Colossians 1:19 & 20

God is on a mission

“ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’

Revelation 21:3 – 5

God is on a mission

• God’s mission is to redeem, renew, reconcile all things through Christ. This mission explains the Church – we are evidence of and co-workers in this mission

• It’s not that mission is more important than any other ministry of the Church – it’s that mission explains everything that the Church does at all times

• The Church is brought to life as the body of Christ to express and partner in God’s mission

Jesus shows us how the mission works“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”

John 12:24 - 26

Jesus shows us how the mission works• By surrender

• By sacrifice

• By service

• By being radical

• By looking to God (not elsewhere) for honor

The Holy Spirit assembles us …“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

1 Peter 2:9 & 10

The Holy Spirit assembles us …“I … urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Ephesians 4:1 - 6

… and empowers us …

“He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…”

Ephesians 4:10 - 12

… and empowers us …

“It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, to the end of the earth.”

Acts 1:7 & 8

… for God’s mission

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, given thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:17

… for God’s mission

“He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works.”

Titus 3:5 - 8

… for God’s mission

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Ephesians 2:10

NeighbourhoodsWorkplaces

Community GroupsSchools

The Church as a Mission

Celebrating what God is doingWhen we feel engaged, alive & motivated

• Good relationships – a sense of belonging

• Getting involved – contributing

Celebrating what God is doingMost important positive characteristics• Community Involvement/Service/Outreach

• Welcoming/Friendly/Relaxed

• Support/Encouragement/Family

Celebrating what God is doingWhen are we at our best• When we’re serving to meet needs

together

• When we’re caring for each other

• When we’re enjoying fellowship together

No church is perfectIf you could wave a magic wand• Fix the building/improve our facilities

• Deeper relationships/more teamwork

• More people/diversity (age & culture)

No church is perfectA dangerous trend

• Revolving door/Transience

• Aging Congregation

• Lack of Prayer

No church is perfectA weakness

• Poor integration of new people

• Declining small group ministry

• We don’t promote ourselves enough

• Our facility needs work/expansion

Looking to the HorizonThings worth building on

• Things that deepen our relationships

• Things that strengthen/co-ordinate our ministries

Looking to the HorizonA lesson from God for this time• Love & serve regardless of the result

• Pray

• Be more open to the Holy Spirit

Can anybody tell me where we’re going?