I once pastored a church that was over 150 years old, and now I serve a new church plant that is not quite 2 years old. What a difference! One of the many differences is dealing with how to be missional.
For instance, the 150+ year old church could have easily become comfortable with all the work that it had already done and not been willing to worry much about the outside world. Its building was paid for, and its bills were covered by its small congregation of families that had been there for generations. However, they weren’t satisfied. Just because they had reached their version of ‘the promised land’ didn’t make them content. Why? They knew there were still many generations (in their area and elsewhere) who had not yet arrived. This reminds me of the time that Joshua took charge of Israel and prepared to lead them into the promised land. 2.5 tribes had already arrived into their version of ‘the promised land’ yet he challenged them to keep up the fight. Read it here:
[12] And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh Joshua said, [13] “Remember the word that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, ‘The LORD your God is providing you a place of rest and will give you this land.’ [14] Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land that Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but all the men of valor among you shall pass over armed before your brothers and shall help them, [15] until the LORD gives rest to your brothers as he has to you, and they also take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and shall possess it, the land that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.” [16] And they answered Joshua, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. (Joshua 1:12-16 ESV)
Our church mission isn’t complete until the Kingdom of God is complete and that isn’t finished until we hear the words ‘Well done good and faithful servant’. This reminds me of the two dozen church partners that we have helping us plant this new church. They aren’t satisfied with just doing church in their community. They are much further along than we are, but wanted to help us take possession of some territory for the Kingdom of God that had once been under control of another kingdom. That is the call for the sending church. Do not rest when you can send. Do not get comfortable when there is still a fight outside your doors. You may not see it from the stained glass window, but it is out there.
Show God your obedience to Him and His Commission by showing your valor. Go – Send – Share – Shape – see the next generation take steps into Kingdom work that may only be possible if you come alongside them!