“Without Christ, there is no mission, without the mission there is no church.”

Sounds good doesn’t it.  This is a seemingly simple and straightforward, definition of the church.  But it is not.  What is the mission?  What is the church?  What is the mission of the church?  How do or do we ever accomplish it?

I believe that God through his Son used many different approaches in dealing and communicating the Gospel to the people he came in contact with.  We, too, are called to create an atmosphere of activity all under the umbrella of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Sometimes, we as church become singular focused.  Some churches see their mission is to provide “wonderful” worship, or dynamic Bible Studies and are content because they have fulfilled their mission.  While important, it falls a little bit short when it comes to mission.

The moment someone sets foot on the property of Mount Zion--Mission begins.  It does not matter what the activity is.  Whether it is a Homeowners meeting, or a worship service; whether it is a Bible Study or quilting, whether it is a Cub Scout troop or an A.A. meeting.  All of these activities are fulfilling the mission that Christ is calling us to do. 

As I write this article, there is a Rummage and Book Sale being set up in the Fellowship Hall.  So I will use them as an example.  You come and you work and you share of your time your talent and your lives with the people who are working with you.  You share what is happening and how you are feeling with others.  Knowing that under this umbrella of mission the one who listens is there to give you a sense of encouragement.  (At the very least it gives you a chance to VENT so you don’t take it out on someone else.)

Pastor Dan, Bob and Rhonda Warner and I have just returned from the Grand Canyon Synod Assembly.  It was great to share what various churches in the Synod were doing to live out the mission.  We heard and celebrated food pantries, mission meals to homeless, day care centers and even partnership with a children’s hospital.  However, I was talking to a few people who were looking for a sense of renewed Spirit within their church.  It occurred to me that their focus was perhaps too narrow of what “mission” is all about. 

Whenever God’s people gather it is “mission”.  It is people who are created by God who are coming to a place where lives are changed.  It does not make a difference what brings God’s people together.

As you read this July newsletter, I pray that you read it not as a list of activities that are going on at the church, but instead see it as a whole bunch of opportunities for God to work miracles in the lives that are brought to God’s house.

Doing Mission together,

Pastor Craig