Mission

Definition and Purpose of Mission

• Mission refers to a specific task or purpose undertaken by the church to spread Christian beliefs.
• Central to mission in Christianity is the Great Commission, a command from Jesus to his followers to “Go and make disciples of all nations.”

Different Forms of Mission

• Evangelism: This is the practice of spreading the Christian message with the intent of conversion. This could be done through preaching, distribution of Bibles, or personal testimonials.
• Social action: This refers to acts of service that address social issues. It is a way of demonstrating Christian love and values in a practical way.
• Ecumenical Movement: This aims to foster unity among different Christian denominations. Shows that the church is one body regardless of denominational differences.

Important Aspects of Mission

• Planting new churches: This is seen as a means to evangelize and spread the Christian faith.
• Supporting those in need: This could be through acts of charity, promoting social justice, or fighting inequality.
• Ensuring moral and ethical standards in society are in line with Christian beliefs.

Mission in a Global Context

• World Council of Churches (WCC): This international organization promotes Christian unity and dialogue worldwide. It plays a major part in the global dimension of Christian mission.
• Global mission organizations: Many Christian agencies run missions overseas, demonstrating a key aspect of spreading Christianity worldwide.

Critiques and Challenges in Mission

• Some critique mission efforts as insensitive to local cultures, or as a form of religious imperialism.
• It can be challenging to balance respect for diversity and plurality in today’s world with the call to evangelize.

Remember, it’s important to understand that mission is to reflect God’s love in the world through good works, but also paradoxically to extend the church’s reach and influence.