The Mission is NOT a new idea

Those of you who are involved with conVerge, or have at least checked out our website, know that we are putting all our effort and our lives into not just bringing new believers to Christ but also to redirecting the lives of those who already are followers of Christ.  You also know that we are devoting our entire lives to living out the Mission of Christ as seen in Matthew 28:18-20 in that everything we think, do, and say needs to be focused on making disciples.

Some people look at conVerge and are thinking that we are just trying to start some new movement or something, but I want you to understand that this is not and should not be thought of as something new.  I think that a post such as this has been a long time coming and right now is heavy on my mind.

I am currently reading “Growing an Engaged Church” by Albert L. Winsemen (which please note I am not far enough into the book to recommend it to anyone at this time) and up to the point that I have gotten, which is just past the first chapter so far, the entire premise is that churches in the United States are shrinking because we have lost our focus.  The cover of the book says “How to stop ‘Doing Church’ and start Being the Church again”.  This is the idea of the Mission, shortened into one sentence.

Perhaps I am being repetative in writing this post but I think we all need to understand that we as Followers of Christ have a responsibility, and I believe if we are growing closer in our walk with Christ a desire, to see the Church grow.  Not just through empty programs and through “getting memebers involved” but rather through the redeeming of old relationships and the development of new ones.  The biggest thing the church has been missing is relationships and that is the entire idea of the Mission.

Christ told us to make disciples of all the nations.  He did not tell us to “evangelise” the entire world.  We cannot make disciples without building solid edifying relationships.  It is not enough to just have someone pray a prayer and leave them at that.  If we are not investing into each other and into the lives of those around us then we are not fullfilling the Great Commission.  This is the Mission of the Church and what conVerge has committed to.  The Mission is NOT a new idea, rather the final commandment Christ gave us before He left this world.

~ by Bryan Stafford on October 9, 2008.