Community, Ministry Formation, Missional
The Way I See It. . .
Sometimes I really love the “Way I See It” comments on the sides of Starbuck’s cups. Today, I had the following comment on the side of my cup:
The Way I See It #299
There is a subtle difference between a mission and a promise. A mission is something you strive to accomplish– a promise is something you are compelled to keep. One is individual, the other is shared. When a mission and a promise are one and the same. . . that’s when mountains are moved and races are won. Hala Moddelmog, President and CEO, Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
I was struck by how Hala separates mission and promise, declaring that mission is an individual activity. Certainly, someone can be on a personal mission. But in the church, we think of mission as a collective activity, both in terms of the “Great Commission” and your local church mission.
However, I really love the last sentence that when mission and promise are one and the same. . . What does it take for mission and promise to be one and the same for your congregation? Do we sometimes develop mission statements in our local congregations without promises?
What do you think? What’s your experience? What do you see that works?
Jeff
02 Mar 2009 Jeff Glass
The notion of individual mission as it pertains to Christianity is an oxymoron. Jesus tells us that we must be a part of the vine in order to live and bear fruit. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. As Christians, our own personal journeys with Jesus are called to prayerful, relational & intimate. This can only happen in community. Even the Trinity is relational, intimate and social.
As for promise – we hopefully live in the promise of God’s unswerving and unquenchable fidelity. Ultimately, God’s promises are covenants and ironclad graces that cause the darkness to shudder. These promises, therefore, are what afford Christians with the context and confidence to abide in Him – and be one.
Here’s where I see the power of faith being the size of a mustard seed and the consequential moving of mountains – when there is community and it is singular with, in and through God in Christ.
Now, the mission and promise can be individual, competitive, corporate and demonstrative of the dominant culture should we see these very same issues through the eyes of “Churchianity”. In “Churchianity”, we will surely witness all sorts of corporate models regarding personal goals, market based leadership and achievement based language influencing and informing all manner of “ministries”. As for promises, I don’t ever see them transforming into anything other that person-driven “expectations” in the absence of heartfelt & intentional community and the inevitable promise of forgiveness, charity and grace.