|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Responding to Jesus Christ's
Great Commission
(which echoes God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 12)
|
Prevailing attitude in church A: Our blessings outweigh our responsibilities |
Prevailing attitude in church B: Our blessings bring equal responsibilities |
| Missions is that annual weekend event for taking Faith Promise pledges. | World evangelization permeates church life throughout the year. |
| Only those who are super-spiritual or those who are "called" get involved in missions. | Every member expects to have some role in the global harvest. |
| Other than during the Faith Promise weekend, missions is rarely mentioned. | God's heart for the nations is heard in almost every service. |
| Adults decide on their own if God is "calling" them into missions. | Church leadership continually challenges couples and singles to consider going overseas. |
| It's "okay" if you insist on going on a short-term mission trip like Work and Witness. | Going on short-term or Work and Witness trips is the expected norm. |
| The average attender in this church can only name 2-3 Scripture verses that deal with missions. [ read more ] | The average lay member of this congregation can name several verses, knowing God's heart for all nations is the theme of the Bible. |
| One of the first things this church cuts in a financial pinch is missions giving. | Church leaders make certain missions needs are met even before the electric bill is paid. |
| Most members don't know who their adopted (LINKS) missionaries are or where they are serving. | Most know who the church's adopted (LINKS) missionaries are, where they serve, and what their needs are. |
| Meetings focusing on missions aren't held very often and are poorly attended. | Mission informational and prayer meetings are held consistently and are well attended. |
| World Missions gets the minimum funding suggested (10% or less of the church's income). | The church has a goal of giving no less than 25% of its income to world missions. |
| Missions is, subconsciously at least, seen as a "necessary evil" that occasionally intrudes on the real ministry of the church. | World evangelization is seen as half the reason the church exists. |
| Which of these churches will our church be? |
|
Will we be part of God's purpose to add to the Body of Christ those purchased with His blood "from every nation, tribe, people and language"? (Rev. 7:9) |
Howard Culbertson, Southern
Nazarene University, 6729 NW 39th, Bethany, OK 73008 | Phone: 405-491-6693 -
Fax: 405-491-6658
Copyright © 2000, 2001 - Last Updated:
March 24, 2002 | URL:
http://home.snu.edu/~hculbert.fs/tale.htm
