The Church that Jesus founded was given both an identity of being separate from the world and a mission to go to that world with the message of salvation. The very name Church comes from a Greek word meaning “called out ones” for we have been called out of darkness into the Light, called out of sin and into relationship with Christ. But we are also sent back to those who have not yet answered or heard that call.
Unfortunately there has always been a tension between our identity and our mission, between no longer being “of” the world while still being “in” the world (see John 17:15-18). But you cannot have one without the other, for the same declaration of Christ’s Lordship that saves us also puts us under our Lord’s call to proclaim good news to those still in darkness. We cannot escape that Jesus wants His followers to be an “Externally Focused Church.” This is not to minimize our need for worship and instruction, for spiritual growth and ministering to the needs of the Body, but it is to remind us that we must also maintain an outward look. For when our eyes focus on those who are not yet in relationship to Jesus, we find ourselves standing beside Him looking in the same direction—out to the lost and perishing.
So we begin the new year by revisiting the Book of Acts, that record of what the early Church did in response to the mandate to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). During the first three months of the year our worship themes will explore how the early Church was externally focused through their mission, personal testimony, prayer, service to both the community and individuals, lifestyle, giving, facing opposition, leadership and crossing cultural barriers. Hopefully we too will learn and apply what it means to be an externally focused Church.
3 other items for the New Year:
2009 will mark the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the movement of churches of which Gladstone Christian Church is a part. In 1809 one Thomas Campbell, an immigrant from Scotland, gave what has become known as The Declaration and Address, which created the Christian Association of Washington, Pennsylvania, and is considered the charter document of what became the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ. Campbell’s proclamation was to all followers of Christ to be “Christians only” and to base our beliefs and practices solely on scripture and not added human requirements that tend to divide the Church. In part to commemorate this bi-centennial year the prayer quotes listed in the bulletin each Sunday will be from early leaders of this Restoration Movement.
Second, on Sunday January 11 we will be blessed to have Frank Loyd with us in worship. Frank is a past Associate Pastor of GCC in the early 1980’s, and current Pastor of the Astoria Christian Church. I have asked him to come and bless us with his recitation of The Sermon on the Mount. He will also lead the adult Sunday School classes in an overview of our Lord’s most famous sermon.
Finally, January 2, 2009, is the 30th anniversary of my career in full-time ministry. I mention this not to be honored, but to gratefully acknowledge the Lord I serve, and the church I am privileged to be a part of in ministry for almost half of that time. God has richly blessed me to be able to preach and teach His Word, and to minister among you, His people! In paraphrase of the Apostle Paul, I thank God for all of you, mentioning you in my prayers. I continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ (see 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3).
Now may we all be blessed in the new year ahead, as we serve one another in love, and as we look outwards to those to whom our Lord sends us with His Gospel of grace.
