Mission: The Exciting edge of the Church.

Last Fall I extended an invitation to men to travel with me to South Africa to do some construction work on the children’s section of an Aids hospice. The initial invitation did not mention the word mission, but it was quickly understood by members of the congregations that this was a mission trip.  As I continued to invite men to join me, I reframed the invitation as a mission trip.  The response by both men and women was unexpected, surprising, overwhelming and for me, intriguing.  There was a level of excitement expressed by their comments and generous financial support that was overwhelming and humbling. Their interest and excitement did not wane and continued even after we returned from South Africa.  A number of men expressed their deep regret that they were not able to join us while others enquired about future mission trips.  A number of women wondered whether there would be a trip for them as well.

The most surprising comment made by some members was that this was the first, in many years, that they had heard mission promoted in the church.  If their comments are factual then the church has a serious problem.  Mission is at the very core of the church’s identity and self-understanding.  If the church has lost its reason for existence then it is only a self-serving social club.  Perhaps the church is confused about the relationship between mission and ministry by shifting the focus away from mission and onto ministry or ministries?  If it has, then the church put the cart before the horse.  Mission defines ministry and not the other way round?  The function of ministry and ministries is to assist the church to fulfill its mission.  Perhaps the focus on mission has been limited in the church to the drafting and approving a of mission statements? 

The interest in mission has continued throughout this past year as my wife extended an invitation to women to join her on a mission trip to South Africa.  They leave for a month on the 31^st December.  Once again the interest and excitement has been expressed through interest and incredible generosity by church members. 

My experience this past year has convinced me that the road to renewal of the church is for it to hear God’s call for it to be in mission.  How may the church once again hear and commit itself to the call to be in mission?