Is mission about filling pews or redeeming what sin is destroying?

[Penney Winiarski]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaHmiFaX_pk

How often in an effort to share the gospel is it communicated not only as complicated and easy, but as a prospect of simply saving souls? I heard an interesting statement, "Our conversion is our commission and our baptism is our ordination."

While I recognize that our churches are in transition from an institutional mindset to an influential one, it seems like we are still using old forms and styles to measure our growth. We look for leaders to lead. Jesus is looking for servants that will lead. The kingdom of God is the manifestation of God's ruling presence. I believe this is crucial. His presence is life/His absence is death. He should be the most important thing about us. Simply gathering people for a common set of beliefs is not worthy of Jesus and the sacrifice He made for us.

I find this extreemly important because if we are truley joining Jesus in His work we should expect to see much more radical changes. If we are truley fullfilling the vision we are going to see our communities, our culture, and our neighborhoods change. Transformation is the product of the gospel. So how do we recognize this?

What are the indicators.....Where do we see fathers taking responsiblity spirtually & physically? Where are we seeing famiies restored? Where do we see mother's reconciling with daughters? Where do we see addicts no longer in bondage of chemical dependency? Where are wealthy buisnessmen making restitution for past crimes? (questions taken from Neil Coles new book release in Feb.2010) Are not these the leaders of the next generation?

While I do believe it starts w/our pastors in implementing changes in our congregations, along with it, so should that presence and transformation be seen first in them. Far to often I'm dismayed by the peer grouping that happens. Being a pastor or a leader is challenging and they definetly need to have safe areas for growth, able to resource each other, in community. Yet, intimate and personal relationships also need to be fostered w/those who help carry out the vision. Relationships begin w/Truth/Jesus, this than builds a vehicle of trust in which love can grow. Sadly I post this after the passing of my pastor who battled cancer for 1year. We've had knowledge/relationship for over 14years. While I know alot about my pastor, worked on vision statements, organized small groups even through the Ablaze process....I can share that I truley did not know the man. I can say he was a good man and I believe that. But part of growing in our maturity is becoming more human and sharing those struggles together. Jesus died for love........not simply a set of beliefs, visions, or practices.

In closing I would share a wonderful resource......."RI, Relational Intelligence" by Steve Saccone. It has begun to occurr to me that no one is promised tomorrow. We need to start taking a risk, one that states, "What if today is the last day?", simply because our legacy is not in what we do but is left in those we leave behind. It's my prayer that this is not offensive, I truley believe we shall multiply and grow. What I don't believe is that it is our mission or job to grow the church. Jesus never states go and plant more churches, go and increase attendance. He say's, "Go and make disciples", when we are doing this....He increases and so do we.

Blessings.