Mission has no Switch - Why the church has always been missional

by Stewart Hunt

Missio Dei - God's initiative

Mission = of Latin origin meaning to send. Hence, a missionary is one who is sent. We get close in the Greek with the word translated Apostle (meaning "those who are sent out") which can refer to any of Jesus early followers who carried the gospel into the world. Some - such as Patrick Johnstone - have suggested that the word referred to a special type of missionary gifting. However, it seems that such an interpretation is too narrow and the word could apply to anyone with a pioneering type edge to his or her ministry utilizing whatever combination of gifts they may have. This is no way diminishes the important role of the original apostles but acknowledges that whilst others may not have had a first hand encounter with Jesus (pre or in Paul's case post resurrection) others certainly fulfilled a similar role to the earliest apostles.

Regardless, it seems clear that all disciples of Jesus are sent to "be Jesus wherever Jesus says to be". The Great Commission is not just four statements contained towards the end of each gospel so much as a theme throughout the whole of the bible sometimes referred to as Salvation History. God's pursuit of that which is lost resulted in the sending of prophets with a special anointing, the last of which was John the Baptist who announced the coming Messiah / Christ. John tells us that God sent his one and only Son. Jesus summed up his purpose as coming to "seek and save what was lost" and then sent his followers even as he himself had been sent. He sent the twelve, the seventy and then the whole church to continue to take this witness to the ends of the earth. His command to wait until they first had an anointing (the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy) adequately prepares each believer for the missional task.

Paul reinforces this throughout his letters which often begins with sound doctrine ("what to believe") and finishes with good practice ("how we should live"). Clearly this magnificent life we are called to live out is that we might "shine like stars in the universe as we hold out the word of life" or "live as children of light" and lastly, "Be imitators of God… and live a life of love". As Frank Laubach observed, "The simple program of Christ for winning the world is to make each person he touches magnetic enough with love to draw others".

In summary, the concept of Missio Dei (the sending of God) encompasses firstly, the sending of his Son (Jn 3:16) and then of course later the sending of the first disciples (Jn 20:21). At it's core is the concept of "God" doing the sending. Mission therefore is God's initiative.

An older understanding of Mission saw our efforts by and large as Man's response to God's Commandment. Whilst there is a response, it is more one of joining our God who is on mission than it is fulfilling it on his behalf. It is not the Great Delegation.

Our Involvement

Whilst some argue that the last chapter of Mark is not truly Markan, it seems that most agree that it is nonetheless aligned with Mark as writer or Mark as scribe for Peter. Further, whilst the content can at first seem alarming, there is nothing there that isn't contained elsewhere in scripture in some form or another. The importance of establishing it's credibility ensures that we don't dismiss too quickly a little gem in the last verse (Mk 16:20) "…and the Lord worked with them". So whilst "Salvation History" (as it has been called) is God's initiative, he involves us by sending us into the world.

Luke 24 tells us that the context in which Jesus commissioned the believers includes the twelve but others who were with them. The parallels with John 20 lead us to believe that his commissioning in John likewise was to a wider group than just the twelve.

The extent of his Activity

The breadth or scope is variously mentioned as; "All the Nations", "All Peoples", and "The ends of the Earth". Acts 1:8 is often thought of in geographic terms but probably is more a reference to everyone regardless of race and is addressing an ingrained bigotry that the early disciples had to overcome. Further, whilst we might reach every tribe, nation and tongue it is easy to forget that God is concerned also for every generation. So whilst Austria was once regarded as quite Christian, it is estimated that there are now more evangelical Christians in Kazakhstan. Oswald Smith once remarked, "Nobody should hear the gospel twice until everyone has heard it once." Whilst one could coldly claim that there are still tribes waiting to hear the gospel for the first time… the same can be said for a new generation of Austrians. Is it their fault that the inheritance was not passed on? A compassionate response helps us to simultaneously embrace someone from what is sometimes referred to as an unreached people group as well as a post-modern westerner from Europe. What they share in common is that they are both in a situation where they have not had the opportunities that others have had to experience the love of Christ.

The depth of need is perhaps more obvious to us in the west where we see the hardness and despair that results when people have exhausted all known avenues to appease the deepest longings of their soul only to feel cheated once more. They are spiritually blind and largely unaware of their need.

It takes a little more discernment before one realizes that other cultures have their own ways of answering ultimate questions but still fall woefully short. What many other cultures do have is a far more integrated culture whereby the alignment of values, beliefs and behaviors stemming from their particular worldview will have far more integrity than ours in the west. To a certain extent, that integration can take years to be deconstructed and thus show up the cracks. The religious beliefs are a core component to every aspect of their culture and a threat to those beliefs is a threat to their cultural stability. However, culture is not static but dynamic and whilst there may be some stability, time (and each generation with it) has a way of digging for truth regardless and that cultural stability is a perception more than a reality.

Live long enough in a given culture and the cracks will eventually become evident. Whilst every culture can indulge -to varying degrees in self-depreciative talk - most cultures don't openly divulge the cracks that threaten their existence. Further, most cultures don't see the cracks. The romantic notion of "The Noble Savage" is just that - romantic.

The word urgency has at it's root the concept of pressure. Today we have an unprecedented view of immense global pressures such as war, environmental neglect and famine. Jesus noted with lament that people were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He was the good shepherd that they needed. If they were to seek him and his Kingdom, so many of their other concerns will also be addressed. The gospel therefore is a gospel of peace - in every way it ushers in the rest that people seek for their souls and addresses very real physical needs. God is concerned for the whole person. Jesus in his ministry ministered to many physical needs. We are called to imitate God's love and to engage with our neighbors needs, both spiritual and physical.

Mission - an inevitable result of the Church!

The gospels make clear that the good news of a spiritual re-birth is now possible through Christ and that this news must be proclaimed or preached. The idea is that it is such good news that it deserves to be heralded - everyone must know that a new King now reigns and that his Kingdom is imminent. A generation ago, this aspect of the Great Commission received the most attention in the West. Perhaps too much so, as it eventually became almost the exclusive way in which people could encounter this good news.

However, the gospels themselves also speak about the place of supernatural intervention (signs and wonders) in testifying to the gospel and further the remarkable testimony of a supernatural inner transformation. The hand of God upon a human heart (whether it be the hardening of Pharaoh's or the softening of Nebuchadnezzar's) was more miraculous than plagues or surviving a burning furnace. Thus, in Acts the disciples are told to be witnesses - not to witness. The evidence of a transformed life was to be God's great proclamation. The command to baptize was to signify this inner transformation wrought by the Spirit of God and the teaching of followers was to ensure that this new life was one in which they would emulate Jesus in all things.

Paul understands exactly what he is doing when he writes the first half of his letters addressing issues of orthodoxy (correct belief) and the second half on orthopraxis (correct living). He can talk about living peaceful and quiet lives without in anyway contradicting his own radical journey of taking the gospel where it has never been. He understands that it is the Spirit of God once again who is at work within us. In this sense, the book of Acts is not so much the Acts of the Apostles but the Acts of the Holy Spirit within the Apostles. That the book is giving testimony to the radical transformation of ordinary lives is seen firstly in the observation by members of the Sanhedrin of the remarkable courage of Peter and John and that they had "been with Jesus". The story of Stephen and the similarities with the life of Christ furthers this and of course the remarkable story of Paul the chief persecutor.

Having said that, it was obvious that it was not always possible to live quietly in peace and that in such times where choices had to be made between "obeying God or man" the mandate was clear. John in Revelation talks about overcoming Satan by the blood of the lamb, the word of testimony and saints that did not shrink from (if necessary) laying down their lives. Their testimony about the transforming power in their lives resultant from the blood of the lamb was worth dying for if necessary.

So, this mission was the mission of God through his people. At first it might be tempting to think that the focus is on an elite group of gifted Apostles who spear headed this. However, the lives of Stephen, Timothy, Titus, and Apollos (just to mention a few) are key to understanding that it was bigger than just the twelve. Further, the persecution of the church was used by God to disperse his people beyond their beloved Jerusalem and to take this witness with them. Like jars of clay they would carry this treasure within.

In summary, missional involvement was not optional. It was and still is as much about "being" as it is "doing". Whilst proclamation has its place, a life well lived is itself a testimony whilst never shunning from being ready to give an answer for the faith that is within. With Paul however, the church carried a responsibility to always be pushing forward to ensure this gospel went to the very ends of the earth, that every people would be touched by the demonstration of it's power. Though this was Paul's stated purpose, he was set apart for this purpose by his church in Antioch.

It should also be said that the demonstration of its power is never as potent as when the church is most unified. It is as followers of Christ love one another that they will be clearly identified as disciples of Jesus and subsequently that the manifold wisdom of God will be most clearly seen in the heavenly realm. Thus, mission is driven by a deep desire to see God glorified (seen for who he really is) both here (on earth) and in the heavenlies and the extent to which that will be done is largely dependant on the unity of the church. His people are "exhibit A".

Church - an inevitable result of mission

What is the church? It is the people of God in their gathered form. And who are the people of God? They are those who are able to enjoy (through the restorative work of Christ) being loved by God and who love him in return. They complete their enjoyment of Him by expressing their adoration in thought, word and deed. This is their worship. Their worship brings glory to God or simply put, enables him to be seen for who he really is. As John Piper observes, "He is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him". This is our chief end, "To glorify God and enjoy him forever (Westminster Catechism).

Whilst education, micro enterprise, medical assistance are all good and worthy endeavors, as one African leader recently stated, "If you just do that all you have is a healthy, fat, educated African who is still going to hell and has no answer for the deepest longings of his soul." The inference to his western audience was, "They'll be just like you". Even translating scriptures is good work but if it is not combined with some type of witness which shares the good news and corresponding teaching which leaves believers equipped to stand on their feet than we have left out the best part, the part which makes sense of it all. Further, we are in danger of inoculating our audience who think they have already tried "Christianity" and it failed to satisfy.

Some decades ago, in response to this a new movement arose emphasizing the need for ensuring that churches were planted. More and more people realized this and began talking about it and as often happens a new terminology also appeared to assist missiologists with these discussions. Phenomenological studies appeared identifying various common characteristics of successful church plants and what has been described as movements.

All of this can seem a bit overwhelming and hide some very simple truths. It is Jesus who is building his church so that the gates of hell will not ever overcome it. Whilst one can sew seed and another can water it, it is God that gives the growth.

The truth is that God has used many an "unschooled, ordinary person" to establish a new church. Sometimes it seems he delights to do so. So whilst there are common characteristics that we can learn from and take into account, we do well not to put our trust in them as a method or "fail-safe" way to plant a church. There is an element of mystery to church planting that should both humble and encourage us. If it is effectively God at work in our midst, than we should be encouraged to join him in his activity - confident that he will fulfill all that he has purposed. Church planting is often the thing that happens as we go about our work.

That by their very nature churches frequently defy (once established) being bound by a certain demographic (homogeneous unit) but instead reflect the varied nature of the kingdom (Jew and Gentile) simply becomes the means for even greater glory to God because the unity of such is an even greater miracle.

The challenge of crossing cultures, an inevitable result of following God on his mission.

When Jesus declared that, "You are the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden" he was giving a strong hint that this witness was to go to the ends of the earth - that is - every culture. Whilst not being bound to using his church, it does seem still that this is God's chief means. "Being Jesus, wherever Jesus says to be" requires openness to serving cross-culturally. It is in essence agreeing that everyone (regardless of their situation) deserves the same opportunities that we have had to know the love of Christ. If they choose to reject him, let them do it whole-heartedly, not out of mere ignorance. To ensure everyone has that opportunity requires intentionality and willingness. Willingness to go, to go and learn, to go and live.

Cam Townsend (founder of Wycliffe Bible Translators) was once famously asked why his God didn't speak the native tongue? Language is key! Or, as a worker in Venezuela recently observed, language is everything! Whilst his language assistant knew that he had meant to ask, "How do you feel today?" she was quick to correct his misuse of one important word, the result of which had him asking, "How do I feel you today". Only once we have a grip of language can we talk to people heart to heart and understand their culture.

Understanding culture is also key to communicating without mis-understanding. Australia should never have been surprised when pulling out of PNG decades ago that the system of democracy and related infra-structure that it introduced would slowly disintegrate as the old cultural values and beliefs re-surfaced.

There has been much discussion lately on the priority of contextualization - that is the need to consider the context into which the gospel content is going and to frame it accordingly. Much attention has been given to a scale of various methods ranging from C1-C6. It must not be lost however that this discussion deals primarily with form. Form answers the question, "how should this look?" and it does us well to consider such issues helping us to avoid a certain degree of offense. One danger though is that medium and message cannot be separated and we must be aware of that moment when the medium has irreparably damaged the message.

The gospel - whilst being good news - is also confronting news and is it-self somewhat offensive. At its core is an affront to human pride (in any culture) that insists on people admitting that at our very best we're just not good enough, never quite making the standard. If we succeed in removing this affront, we've failed in faithfully rendering the message of the gospel.

It is encouraging to remember that in the same way that mission belongs to God, so does transformation. Thus, genuine fruit that could only be Spirit born such as humility will profoundly penetrate any context. The Word lives through us often before he speaks through us. We must let our light shine before men, that they may see our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven.

Isn't mission something so intrinsic to our "being" that in fact, it is as impossible to switch it off as it would be remove the Holy Spirit from a child of God. While the flame of the Spirit is alive in a believer, mission exists! There is no On/Off switch. As believers gather, expressing a unity uncommon to anything else found on earth, isn't the wisdom of God known in the heavenly realm and… on earth as it is in heaven? Is not the family of God in their various gatherings like a city on a hill that cannot be hidden? As an expression of church in this local area, isn't Eltham Baptist just like a mission agency and aren't many mission agencies in their overseas expressions… simply church?

Summary

A false dichotomy between church and mission has arisen perhaps through:

Inadequate language and terminology regarding mission that sidelines it as an activity of the church rather than a description of God's activity in the world.

An incorrect theology that attributes the task of working alongside God to a few rather than every follower of Christ and see's the focus of mission through geographical lenses rather than spiritual one's.

A false separation in our studies of church and mission that has often led to two separate disciplines; ecclesiology and missiology. "Mission is to the Church as flames are to fire" - Anon.

Misunderstanding that Church Planting is a specialist task with a narrow methodology rather than a generalist task and is often the result of God's people simply living lives magnetic with the love of Christ.

Failure to realize that all of God's people are sent into the world to love others and use all of their gifting, talents and personality to that end. That as disciples, we are called to follow Christ and take others to the one we are following. Very few places are openly hostile and where they are the Spirit can be trusted to open doors, lead us forward and give us both prompting and words as necessary that we may join what the Father is doing.