in the name of missions

The summer season for "mission trips" is here! Churches send their people to destinations near and far in the name of missions. Individuals, and sometimes families, sacrifice personal finances and vacation time to go "on mission". Projects usually include ministry to the poor, maybe teaching in a children's Bible school, helping to construct a house for a needy family, or possibly even a church building. Some will do personal witnessing by sharing their faith in Christ with total strangers (if the locals speak some English, or are blessed to have a translator). A few will preach a sermon in a local indigenous (native) church, or give a musical presentation with a gospel message.

A lot of things are done in the name of missions. They are usually helpful and good things to do. But are we really obeying the Great Commission, or the "Mission", when we do these things? What is the Mission that Christ gave to His disciples (to us, the church)? According to Mt. 28:18-20, He has all authority (privilege and power), therefore He commanded His disciples to do the following: Make disciples (followers of Christ) of all nations (peoples). The "make disciples" part is in command form. That is the part that we should obey. There are three other actions that accompany the making of disciples: Going, baptizing and teaching them to obey.

Could the community service, construction, personal testimonies or sermons help to accomplish the "Mission"? It's possible... but most of the time that is as far as the mission trip takes us. We go back home, give a great report about what we (God) did, and forget about it a few weeks later when the next initiative in our church grabs our attention.

The challenge: Next time you plan a mission trip, make it more than a trip. Begin a missionary journey with God. I used to take trips... no more... I am on a journey with God. In South Asia I discovered that He is more than my Master and I am more than His servant. He is my Friend (Jn. 15:15). I am part of His mission, He is letting me in on His plan for redeeming a people. The Mission is a journey with Christ, but there is a task to obey as well (Jn. 15:14). In the next post I will begin a series about how to obey the Great Commission, or the Mission.