What future for mission - Wes White
As I listened to this and thought through the implications there was one over-riding factor that come to my mind ... do we genuinely have confidence in the gospel? Is it indeed the power of God unto salvation for them that believe ... or is it a life-style choice for some which is of equal value as the choices others may make to believe in something else or nothing at all!
How much more of a struggle is it for those brought up in a post-modern context, where truth is reckoned as relative not absolute, to move forward to a place of conviction? Of course it is a work of the Word and the Spirit, so we can trust in the One who is able to do all things to bring this conviction ... But this conviction is vital if we are to take the gospel to the communities locally, nationally and internationally.
The gospel is for all regardless of age, culture, gender - it is the unique revelation of a holy, gracious and loving God who has made the way to have communion with Him ... Through faith in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Wes asks "What is the difference between a theology of mission or of missional theology... one is a justification the other shapes our thinking and actions!" There is a world of difference between the two - a Church that has stopped demonstrating and proclaiming the gospel is a Church that is stagnating or in decline, regardless of how much knowledge it possesses. When I was at Bible College my theology lecturer was always at pains to point out that "the best theology is worked out on the anvil of experience" - missional theology is no different. Does it shape our thinking? Our decision making with relation to finances and direction? Team building? Discipling methods? ...
In Patrick Johnstone's latest book The Future of the Global Church he makes some staggering predictions based on Trends as to what the world will look like in the future if we carry on as we are. Though he is also at pains to point out that he wants to be proved wrong! Why? Because he wants to see God surprise us by moving in us and through out the world to build His kingdom.
That is God's work, it is what He does and is doing with passionate, yielded people who do His works, confident in His ability to bring His revealed will into being!
Who are you? I have never been a great fan of labels when it comes to describing members of the body of Christ. eg. he is anglican, she is Baptist, they are Charismatic, etc. etc. I remember once causing a man to become increasingly hot under the collar when he asked me who I was? To which I replied I was a disciple (follower) of Jesus. He was meaning which Church did I attend (presumably so he could classify me and decide whether I was bona fide or not) and my answer did not bring him peace, but I refused to go any further. Why? Because, as I said, I am not a great fan of labels, but also because for me there is a very important distinction between primarily identifying myself with Jesus and identifying myself with Church. Of course, I recognise that by becoming a follower of Jesus I become part of the body of Christ, but that can be very distinct from being a member of a Church. To me this is the crucial difference between vibrant faith and dusty religion. I want t
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