Mission - At A Turning Point

http://www.tesm.edu/pubs/sh/2004/5/turningpoint

[TESM.edu] January 25, 2005--All too often, mission becomes an “add on” that is done out of following one’s own agenda, rather than allowing God to establish His priorities. This often is an easy trap to fall into. Even on the orthodox side of the Church there is a tendency to put too much emphasis on the corporate, institutional nature of the Church and forget God’s call to mission. The local church ends up existing solely for the purpose of perpetuating its own life instead of praying for ways in which it can be salt and light — or leaven — in a secular, post-Christian world. Energy and resources are put into buildings, programs, and other activities that are more for the maintenance and preservation of the institution than for the extension of the Kingdom.