The Mission of God Missional Church the Mission of Your Church

What was God thinking?

Before creating the worlds?

1.

Did he know there would be

1. Terrible floods in Pakistan?

2. Earth quakes in Haiti and Japan? 3. Tsunamis in Indonesia & Japan? 4. Famines of Africa?

2.

Did he know how cruel people could be?

1. Ancient and Modern day slavery? 2. So many wars? Mutilation and rape?

3. The every day meanness of human beings?

4. Did he understand the cruelty of death?

3.

An all good & all knowing Creator designed this?

This must be a very

big

story

John 17:1 …Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “4 I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.

…we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began

.

I Corinthians 2:6-8

This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour.

II Timothy 1:9 -10

From Glory In between, we see and experience beauty, pain, joy, purpose…and death To Greater Glory

God’s People Become Sharers in His Mission

18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.

20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. John 17

9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ —everything in heaven and on earth. Ephesians 1:9-10

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Romans 8:18

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" I Corinthians 2:9

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. II Corinthians 4:18 We live by faith, not by sight.

II Corinthians 5:7

The Mission of God’s People and...the missional church

1. Tell the

big

story, including: 1. Pre-rebellion truths 2. OT justice, compassion, righteousness, health, knowledge, wisdom, care for land 3. Of Jesus & NT good news of salvation to all 2. Demonstrate personally the grace of God 3.

Consider the suffering…not worth comparing!

The Mission of God

1.

Don’t let the big story get hi-jacked

•

By allowing parts of the story to pass for the whole story 2. The Big Story is Complex

•

learn to tell it both simply and with its complexity – so it fits each situation 3. The big story is bigger than any of us

•

May your church do its part by faith; accept and respect others that are doing their part…may be different than ours

A Missional Church

1. Views the whole of Scripture as the expression of God’s mission; Creation, Redemption and New Creation.

2. Adopts the mission of God as its primary motivating focus , joining Him in what He is doing.

3. In terms of the world, is more about “go to” “come to” than 1. Gathered to worship, equip, comfort & send 2. Sent to be among, to serve, influence & attract 3. Being sent is big

.

We are on mission with God .

A Missional Church Embraces a three letter Faith-demanding word.

AND

Theology Requires It

God is One

and

He is More Jesus is God

and

He is Man God wrote the Bible

and

People wrote it Salvation is of God

and

People have to… Sanctification God’s work

and

we pursue it The church is for us

and

its for them

Ministry Requires It

Evangelism

and

Orthodox

and

Teaching Gracious Proclamation

and

Socially Engaged Gathered

and

Scattered In the world

and

not of the world Established churches

and

new churches Comfort one side

and

faith requiring…other God loves it when we trust

and

obey

How will you spread the thinking that you’ve developed here today? We’ll send you an ecopy of the survey & related materials Tell us what is happening as a result of today….within 2-4 weeks. [email protected]

If we don’t hear from you, we’ll call, just to build in a bit of accountability.

Those that have not paid, please do. • 15 per person. • 10 per person if 7 or more from one church • 20 per married couple

• The mission of God’s people - $20

Information Sheet 1. Like to receive VMC newsletter?

1.

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“Thinking Shrewdly V”

May 10-12, 2012

“ The Good News and Your Church in Word & Action ”

Bruxy Cavey (Teaching pastor, the Meeting House) Gary Nelson (President of Tyndale) Greg Paul (Founder of Sanctuary) Waterloo or Guelph Location

Five Conference Streams

Communicating the Gospel in Canada Church, Leadership & the Gospel Compassion, Justice & the Gospel New Canadians & the Gospel New Initiatives & the Gospel Regional gatherings in off years, like this

Three quick stories – Chin Leadership development, – Two people want to plant struggling in their thinking about how to do this – Spirit of Truth (Iranian, former Muslims) – Vien et Vois (Congolese church) – Jesus Network – Easter

Finances 1. Help new churches/initiatives get started 2. Work to strengthen existing church leadership people 3.

We’d love to have your partnership in our “make it happen budget”

Please give us your surveys 1. Fold them and leave them on the table 2. If the staple has come out, fold it a couple of times so it sticks together

Thank you for coming Thank you to _________________

Prayer of Blessing