Randy,
Here are a few things that caught my attention.
Bill
If Jesus declared his manifesto for ministry and then methodically walked out those aims during his life in ministry, how significant would that be to the church of this, or any age? Again using simple logic, it would seem that if Jesus was guided by a manifesto of ministry then it seems highly probable that his church would also be guided by that same manifesto. As has been stated already, HE IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH…
If the church is to recalibrate to Jesus again, we must RESTORE THIS PRIMARY AND DEEP COMMITMENT TO BE MISSIONAL in ALL WE DO.
In plain language this formula means that mission must determine or control all that the church is in her identity and all she does in function. Naturally we all realize THE CHURCH HAS DRIFTED FROM THIS VIEW dramatically and must make corrections to return to alignment with God (missio dei), in Christ, through the Spirit.
I was visiting a church recently and a new pastor was sharing a renewed vision for the church.
Our Seven Priorities
We will reach people for Jesus
We will equip people to grow spiritually mature
We will trust and teach the Bible
We will strive for excellence in all we do
We will value people
We will invest in the church
We will devote ourselves to Jesus
As this list is read would anyone say that‘ Something’s Missing?’ “WHERE IS LOVE?”
Note:
“when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is THE GREAT AND FIRST COMMANDMENT. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments DEPEND ALL THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS.”
(Matthew 22:34-40)