I have spent many an hour throughout my years trying to land upon that magic and God-oriented move that would set a congregation on course for authentic Life.
The Matthew 28 text known as the Great Commission has not done it. Yes, I am all for evangelism. Outreach is my heart. However, for too many decades the bulk of the church membership has given this proof text more lip service than foot action.
I wouldn't want to be held too literal on this next statement, but I will say, I have found the Greater Commission is found in Mark 5:19. I say Greater because this passage bears two fruit; powerful evangelism and church contagion.
Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.
The avenue for a congregation to be contagiously evangelistic is not found in the organization of our twenty-five top verses. It is found in the testimonials of those who experience God.
The more we conversationally share of God's personal handiwork the greater awareness of His walk with us begins to be acknowledged. Members begin to tell clusters of friends about their God-stories. Excitement follows. And, God does seem to inhabit such praises while He gives us even more to praise Him about.
The contagion churches dream about resides in the many hearts of the moment which are fearful to share. Encourage His people to tell of His excellent greatness which it actually residing in front of our eyes everywhere we turn.
If you want to motivate your church to reach out, before you remind them of Mt. 28-18-20, maybe it would be to the kingdom's advantage to rehearse aloud exactly what it is we see God doing among us. This will build an automatic contagion....for the good.
2 comments:
Such a good point that we have used Matthew 28 with such stand-our-ground firmness that we do not do anything with it (as a whole).
Telling one's story is much more of a convincing story, in my opinion. It makes sense - "references" whether it is job search or a new place to eat sells the product usually more than anything.
Good stuff!
Much like your post on the same topic from a week or so ago (not talking about God amongst our tribe), I think our lack of talk about what God does through us and around us comes from the fact we depend way too much on our physical eyes. We live "life" like much of the rest of the world except for the "church activities". Until He dominates us, all He will be is just a neat add-on to everything else. No more exciting than the ball game last night or the current election cycle.
Jay
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