Making Ministry Missional
Today, I gave a seminar for the Minnesota Church Ministries Association in Duluth, Minnesota.
My topic was "Making Ministry Missional"
I told several stories to illustrate the following outline on Missional Ministry:
There's no such thing as "Missions" -- We've got to drop the "s". There is only ONE Mission and that's The Great Comission (Matthew 28:18-20.)
1. It's a Matter of Focus (External v.s. Internal Focus)
The energy of the church must be outward to bless others. . . Acts 1:8
In Jerusalem (our community)
Judea (the region)
Samaria (one culture removed -- outside the comfort zone)
The Ends of the Earth (My community may be small, but my mission field is the same size as Rick Warren's! The whole world! John Wesley said, "The World is My Parish!"
2. It's a Matter of Finding
Lost and hurting people matter to God. They are his treasures -- and it's up to us to find them -- to seek them out! Let's go find them!
It is a matter of finding out what God is doing, and joining Him! God calls us to join Him in the Great Adventure.
3. It's a Matter of Faith
Being Missional comes with a price tag. It costs a lot more to reach out than to stay in the safe cocoon called status quo. However -- God calls us to live by FAITH, not sight. We can trust God to provide for everything He calls us to do. Whenever He gives a vision, he puts a "pro" in front of it -- "Provision for the Vision."
4. It's a Matter of Fulfillment
Loving Jesus means obeying his commands -- and His last command was to "go into all the world and make disciples" Obedience demands that we fulfill the Great Commission.
When we follow His leading, it brings GREAT personal fulfillment and satisfaction. You can't outgive God -- as you bless others, you receive the greater blessing!
My topic was "Making Ministry Missional"
I told several stories to illustrate the following outline on Missional Ministry:
There's no such thing as "Missions" -- We've got to drop the "s". There is only ONE Mission and that's The Great Comission (Matthew 28:18-20.)
1. It's a Matter of Focus (External v.s. Internal Focus)
The energy of the church must be outward to bless others. . . Acts 1:8
In Jerusalem (our community)
Judea (the region)
Samaria (one culture removed -- outside the comfort zone)
The Ends of the Earth (My community may be small, but my mission field is the same size as Rick Warren's! The whole world! John Wesley said, "The World is My Parish!"
2. It's a Matter of Finding
Lost and hurting people matter to God. They are his treasures -- and it's up to us to find them -- to seek them out! Let's go find them!
It is a matter of finding out what God is doing, and joining Him! God calls us to join Him in the Great Adventure.
3. It's a Matter of Faith
Being Missional comes with a price tag. It costs a lot more to reach out than to stay in the safe cocoon called status quo. However -- God calls us to live by FAITH, not sight. We can trust God to provide for everything He calls us to do. Whenever He gives a vision, he puts a "pro" in front of it -- "Provision for the Vision."
4. It's a Matter of Fulfillment
Loving Jesus means obeying his commands -- and His last command was to "go into all the world and make disciples" Obedience demands that we fulfill the Great Commission.
When we follow His leading, it brings GREAT personal fulfillment and satisfaction. You can't outgive God -- as you bless others, you receive the greater blessing!
mark Im working on a 13 week sunday school cirricculum interested in helping me put it together?
ReplyDeleteJerry
AMEN TO ACTS 1:8
ReplyDeleteIt was an AWESOME seminar! Thank you for coming and sharing your experiences with us!
ReplyDelete-- Susan
Jerry,
ReplyDeleteI'd love to help you out -- tell me more via e-mail.
Linda, Amen to your Amen!
Susan, Thanks for the compliment. I enjoyed being there.