OUR MISSION . . .

OUR MISSION . . . (IF WE CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT)

BUILDING GOD’S

COMMUNITY

OUR MISSION...

…TO PARTNER WITH GOD IN BUILDING HIS COMMUNITY IN THE THREE HILLS AREA AND

AROUND THE GLOBE

(Unabridged Version)

What do we mean by “mission”?

A special assignment given to a group; a calling

or vocation

“. . . you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

“martures” – martyrs: sacrifice; commitment; value, honour, love

Distinguish from “Vision”:“Vision”: our perception

and desire for future developments. It is the

expression of our dreams, hopes, aspirations, and

passions. It seeks to answer the question: ‘What do we want to

be?’

Why a mission?"But false prophets also

arose among the people, just as there will be also

false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who

bought them, bringing swift destruction upon

themselves." 2 Peter 2:1

The root of the word ‘heresy’ is a verb

meaning "to select" or "to take up." As used

by Peter it means to choose or select for

personal choice, reason or purpose.

By what authority do we undertake this mission?

“Then Jesus came to

them and said, "All

authority in heaven and

on earth has been given

to me.” Matthew 28:18

jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.

“For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.”

1Thessalonians 4:2

What resources do we have to carry it out?

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you” Acts 1:8

“POWER” - force; specifically miraculous power, ability, abundance, meaning, might, power, strength, mighty (wonderful) work.

What do we mean when we say, “To

partner with God”?

“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Eph. 2:10

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1Peter 2 :9

Missio DeiIt is not our mission but God’s. “God is the initiator of His mission to redeem through the Church a special people for Himself from all the peoples of the world” -Van Sanders

What does this mean for us?

God is the primary initiator “Lord of the

harvest” No matter the challenges

or setbacks, God will finish His work

We do we mean when we say, “in building

His community”?

“After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation …” Rev. 7:9

“I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it” Matt.

16:18

“Build”- to be a house builder, that is, construct or (figuratively) confirm: - build, edify, embolden.

“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” Col. 1:19-20

What do we mean when we say, “in the Three Hills

area”?

What do we mean when we say, “and around the world”?

Proclaiming Christ to Tatar Muslims in Crimea, Ukraine

The king (Josiah) stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the LORD--

2 Kings 23:3

“to follow the LORD and keep his commands,

regulations and decrees with all his heart and all

his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in

this book.”

“Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant.”

Father, at the beginning of this new year we commit ourselves to the mission you have entrusted to us as a church.

We are grateful that you have honoured us by giving us a share in your noble and holy purposes

We commit ourselves to partner with you in building your community in the Three Hills area and around the globe

We ask for an abundance of your love and grace and power to accomplish our part of this task.

"why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Acts 1:11

Go! Get to work!

OUR MISSION...

…TO PARTNER WITH GOD IN BUILDING HIS COMMUNITY IN THE THREE HILLS AREA AND

AROUND THE GLOBE

…IS GOD’S MISSION