I was sent an article to read about the missional church by a friend on facebook (read article here).
Below is one of the responses I read on the facebook article:
"I admire those who devote their LIVES to missions and evangelism. However, I am not one of them and that does not set well with my Southern Bapt church. When I read Matt 28 and Luke 24, I see Christ speaking to the eleven, not me. My place ...in the body is more geared toward praise and worship, or taking care of the church building, or visiting sick members...common purposes. I wasn't meant for noble ones, and I'm okay with that. Don't get me wrong, I'm not ashamed of the gospel. I will give a reason for why I believe to anyone WILLING to hear. I think I would be labeled a hyper Calvinist."
Here are some thoughts:
1) Matthew 28 and Luke 24 is Jesus speaking only to the eleven? What other passages would we have to consider only for the eleven. John 13-16 come to mind right off the top of my head. Jesus is teaching the disciples during the Last Supper and then on his way to the garden to be arrested. He talks to them about being a servant, loving one another, trusting God, being led by the Spirit and some other things. I guess we would have to eliminate those teachings as well.
2) There is nothing wrong with leading worship, visiting the sick and other noble causes, they are Biblical. But taking care of the building? Where were we told to do that as followers of Jesus?
3) I believe the guy is not ashamed of the gospel, I think? I mean I believe he would share something with someone wanting to know more about Jesus, but I wonder if it could be considered the gospel (the good news). It would probably be some hyped up denominational sales pitch about grace, but for me it would be hard to believe coming from someone who is not sold out to the gospel themselves.
4) I do however understand where the guy is coming from, he says it in his response. He said "I think I would be labeled a hyper Calvinist." I thought our goal was to be labeled followers of Jesus, not any other man. This explains why the guy would not follow the words of Jesus, because he trusts the words of another man above the words of "The" Man.
What can we learn from this? We learn that we must be careful who we place our trust in because whether it is intentional or not the truth will be revealed. I don't think for a moment that this guy does not think he loves Jesus, I just think his understanding of Jesus is somewhat cloudy.
It is a battle we all have to fight everyday as we grow closer to Jesus.
