It is the last week, and the theme for this week was the “Commissioning”. Throughout the week, the various speakers spoke with one voice, which really reinforced their one message: God’s work on earth is Mission-centered.
This reaffirmed my understanding that God’s Mission is not merely about evangelism. Sure, evangelism is the Great Commission, and there is a definite need to make disciples of all the nations. Yet if the bible is ALL ABOUT Mission, then surely there are other areas that God has His sights on, too.
One useful reference I have was a talk by Christopher Wright on the 5 marks of Mission, Evangelism, Teaching, Justice, Compassion and Creation care, grouped into 3 categories of Serving society, Building the church and Creation care. These 5 marks can be seen embodied in Katong Presbyterian Church’s values, which Pastor Kuo Yung’s shared during his talk.
The implication of this is that the conventional understanding of Mission as evangelism is misplaced. Instead, a holistic understanding of Mission is required, where emphasis must be placed on the other 4 aspects of Mission. Only then, can we fully partake in God’s Mission. Of course, few have the talents and resources to pursue all five aspects of Mission, yet the entire picture must always be kept in mind.
A revelation that I have gained this week originates from Pastor Andrew Choo’s short sermon at Onesimus farm. There, he had three simple points, with one provocative conclusion: See, Hear and Do, the greatest of which is DOING. This is not anything new; where I have heard many times that ‘faith without works is dead’. Yet I now gained a greater understanding of what being a Christian is all about. Everything, and I mean every aspect of our lives as Christians, is all about putting into concrete action everything that we have learned. Everything must be seen through the lens of action. Everything must be pursued with the sole focus on eventually putting it into practice.
This revelation that Mission is about doing, coupled with my reaffirmed understanding of what Mission is about, has led me to conclude that as Christians, our focus in life should be to ACTIVELY serve society, build the church and care for creation. For me, that is a realignment of perspective: That I cannot be content to stay within my bubble and convince myself that passively learning is alright or that doing should be reserved for another day. Doing should start today, at this very moment, and continue until the day He calls me home.
As the Minister of Health said, as the Good Samaritan DID, we must likewise DO for anyone, regardless of who he/she is, and regardless of whether we receive any reward or recompense. As Jean Chiew shared last week, we DO, not because of any positive outflow of emotion, but because it is our duty as Christians. It is our calling. If we are to glorify God, we are to DO His work, and fulfil His Mission.
Till that day, I will strive to do what needs to be done.
This revelation that Mission is about doing, coupled with my reaffirmed understanding of what Mission is about, has led me to conclude that as Christians, our focus in life should be to ACTIVELY serve society, build the church and care for creation. For me, that is a realignment of perspective: That I cannot be content to stay within my bubble and convince myself that passively learning is alright or that doing should be reserved for another day. Doing should start today, at this very moment, and continue until the day He calls me home.
As the Minister of Health said, as the Good Samaritan DID, we must likewise DO for anyone, regardless of who he/she is, and regardless of whether we receive any reward or recompense. As Jean Chiew shared last week, we DO, not because of any positive outflow of emotion, but because it is our duty as Christians. It is our calling. If we are to glorify God, we are to DO His work, and fulfil His Mission.
Till that day, I will strive to do what needs to be done.
Changzhong
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