There is so much in this chapter that I could write on it for a week. But my favorite “turning of the tables” is found in this passage that I just can’t wait to share it.
Do you remember Acts 1:8? Jesus is talking to the eleven remaining Apostles and says, “YOU will be my witness from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” These are Jesus’ last words on earth and he tells the Apostles to Go!
Now we come to Acts 8:1 (the opposite of 1:8) and what do we find? “On that day a great persecution broke out against the Church in Jerusalem, and all EXCEPT the Apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
The ones who were called to GO! Were the only ones who opted to STAY.
That is such a reflection of the church today. The church is called to go make disciples, to leave our Mission Training Centers (the church buildings) and head to our Mission Outposts (our homes) so that we can effectively be missionaries in our personal Mission Fields (our neighborhoods). And the pastors of the church are supposed to be the models of all this. They’re supposed to be out of the buildings and spending the vast majority of their times with those who are outside the church and the kingdom of God. It’s the pastors’ job to be the CCMM – the Chief Congregational Missionary Mentor. Some of you have already heard me say, “As go the leaders, so goes the congregation.” Well, the same is true of the pastors. “As go the pastor, so goes the leaders.”
But that means that today’s congregations and church members need to understand the role and the responsibilities of the pastor, the church leaders, and even of themselves. The church exists to be a witness and to make disciples. The church’s pastor and staff exist to equip (to model, mentor, and train) the church leaders to do the church’s ministry. And the church leaders, including the pastor and staff, exist to equip the saints to be missionaries in their personal mission fields.
That said, how can we … the Raytown Christian Church Leadership Team … best equip you to be an effective missionary to your neighbors? Share your thoughts in the Comment Section below.
Thanks!
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