Church Foundations – Part Four: A Mission for God’s People (Eph 4:1-16)

In making a fresh start, we have sought to define our vision as a church. With a biblical world-view as our backdrop, we have been able to say that…

“We exist to be a Community that makes Christ visible so that others will experience life in Him.”

This is a wonderful way for us to sum up and embrace God’s purpose for His church. It means that in all we attempt we begin by asking, “will doing this make Jesus Christ visible”?

In Ephesians 4:1-16, Paul describes the means by which Jesus Christ will become visible through the church. And it is from this passage that we will find our mission statement.

Our Mission

“To call people into a new community under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. To see them grow in Christian maturity and engaged in fruitful service.”

Build – Make Jesus Visible

Our work is to build, one living stone at a time. Externally, this means whole life evangelism. We do what we do in a way that makes Jesus visible. Whether its our homes, relationships or service in the community.

Internally, it means we encourage one another to pursue Jesus, to correct when we stray and to uphold when we see a brother or sister slipping.

Equip – Trusting Jesus for Transformation

The tools of the trade are word, sacrament, fellowship, hospitality and prayer (cf. Acts 2:42; 9:31). The goal: Maturity. Discerning good and evil. It means ministry that is built around gifted people not clever programs.

Send – Serving Jesus in our Church and our Community

This brings us full circle. As the church undertakes the work of building and equipping, she is enabled by the Spirit to enter into the world as salt and light. We exercise our gifts through fruitful service in the church and in the world around us.

Through the sharing of our table, talents, time and money with others we again engage in the work of evangelism and the building up of the body.

As we take ourselves out into the world, some of the things we do will be applauded, other things mocked. We will be a sweet smelling aroma to some and the stench of death to others.

Lessons for Little Saints…

1. What three things is the church called to do?

2. What do we mean by Build?

3. What do we mean by Equip?

4. What do we mean by Send?