"First, if sin is the root cause of the curse, then the gospel- in its narrow sense- is the fundamental solution. The salvation of man constitutes a central feature of God's mission. Therefore, proclamation of the gospel is ultimate. Christopher Wright explains well the difference between primacy and ultimacy, 'Mission may not always begin with evangelism. But mission that does not ultimately include declaring the Word and the name of Christ, the call to repentance, and faith and obedience has not completed its task.' Ultimately, our responsibility extends beyond evangelism, however. In his final pre-ascension commission, Jesus defined his followers' task as making disciples, a more comprehensive assignment that includes teaching believer to obey all that Christ commanded. In biblical or theological terms, the aim is sanctification and conformation to the image of Christ." (Excerpt from page 44 of Theology and Practice of Mission.)
I feel like I am reading the very story of my life. I already am a believer and follower of Jesus Christ and to read this gives a richer and deeper purpose to my life than I have even known. As I read, I am filled with this deep sense of “This is the purpose of my all-together existence.” I have been redeemed to live no longer for myself but to participate with my Redeemer in the proclamation of His great name! It is not through evangelism alone, but through investing in lives, teaching all the commandments of Christ, and guiding and assisting in obeying those commandments. Page 44 says, “The aim is sanctification and conformation to the image of Christ.” I ask, “Do you mean the sanctification and conformation of the one being discipled or my own?” Because the Spirit’s work of uniting me to God's purpose of my participation in the missio Dei is sanctifying and conforming me to the image of the Son! This is a brilliant design. (Of course it is; it’s God’s design). The involvement of the redeemed continues the work of our own salvation, while drawing other image bearers back into proper worship!
"Second, the clear precept and practice of the New Testament affirms the church's importance and, therefore argues for church planting as a central element of man's role in the missio Dei, particularly in pioneer areas. Although Jesus himself never started a church, he clearly intended to establish the church (Matt. 16:18). He is the cornerstone (Eph. 2:20) and head (Col. 1:18). He purchased it with his own blood (Acts 20:28), and it is his bride (Eph. 5:25-27; Rev. 19). The covenant relationship of church life is the God appointed context for making disciples." (Excerpt from page 44 of Theology and Practice of Mission.)
As I continue reading, I am in awe of the truth God is unfolding about my life. I am doing the 2+2 program. When I tell people that it is a Masters in International Church Planting, I cannot give a good defense of what that means. Honestly, I have worked hard to explain that church planting is probably not the best way to describe what I am actually hoping to do overseas but that would of course be the hoped for result. Now I see how very wrong I have been and how beautifully clear my calling is! It is to plant churches, first and foremost! In the previous paragraph I mentioned my love for making disciples and investing deeply this life-altering truth. Now I see that the obvious, there is a name for doing that. It is the church, and the obvious result would be to plant churches! If you are reading this, you probably think, that I must not have had much church experience or at least not a very good one, but that is not the case. Today, God is just opening my eyes to a new level of what the church means and what church planting means. Page 44 says that the New Testament argues “for church planting as a central element of man’s role in the mission Dei…” That is not the opinion of a theologian; it is the mandate of Scripture. The rest of the quoted sentence says, “…particularly in pioneer areas.” This line speaks clarity into my life; it delivers renewed awareness of the need to go into the hard places, not because the places are hard or by obligation of what I am supposed to do but because of the mandate and privilege to partake in discipleship and church planting.
Let's not miss the part that says, “Jesus himself… established the church. He purchased it with his own blood, and it is his bride…” !! I sense the importance of the warning not to separate discipleship or evangelism away from the church. I imagine serving as an individual in the workplace or on the foreign mission field, it would be easy to think one-on-one discipleship is the best way. But I see now that without rooting it in the church, there is danger of neglecting God’s vital focus- the church.
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