Mission is the action of the God of grace...calls the church into being as the
instrument of the good news of grace to for all people
of God's kingdom both present and coming, i.e., that reign and realm wherein
God's loving will is done on earth as in heaven. Mission is also...
[Delete second paragraph]
[Third paragraph] ...Jesus Christ uniquely proclaimed and embodies God's
mission. That mission Jesus announced at the beginning of his ministry (Mark
1:14): "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent,
and believe the good news." That kingdom, the realm in which God's loving will
is done on earth as in heaven, represented by righteousness (loving and just
relations with God, with neighbors and with one's own destiny as a steward of
God's good gifts through creation) and bringing salvation (soteria, i.e.,
wholeness) was the single-minded focus of Jesus in preaching, teaching,
healing, and gathering disciples. In the generosity of self-giving, God in
Jesus Christ offers salvation redemption to all people
and invites them to become disciples and go forth as agents of the kingdom
and ministers of reconciliation. The New Testament churches are communities
in mission. The Book of Acts which begins with the risen Christ "appearing
to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3)
describes the work of the Holy Spirit in extending the movement of the
kingdom. Paul becomes an apostle for the kingdom to the Gentiles.
Other Christians travel to spread the Good News of the kingdom. Jesus
Christ as Lord of the kingdom is proclaimed: God's grace abounds!
Mission is witness to the God of grace whose kingdom has come in Jesus Christ and continues to extend through the work of the Holy Spirit which Jesus promised and God granted through the risen Christ. As Paul reminded the early church: "now the Lord is the Spirit." (2 Cor. 3:17). Witness has four essential dimensions:
1. Proclamation. We proclaim the Gospel, the Good News of the kingdom.
We tell the story of God's gracious initiative to redeem the world. The
imperative for proclamation is found in the Gospel itself. The
gGood news that the kingdom of God has come with
Jesus cannot be withheld.
2. Evangelism. To proclaim the Gospel of the kingdom, come and coming,
is fundamental; to invite persons to personal decision for and commitment to
Jesus Christ and his kingdom being is equally
fundamental...
3. Incorporation. We call persons to be incorporated into the Body of Christ.
The church, as that Body in the world, continues the mission Jesus as Christ
began. All who are "in Christ" share in the mission of
Christ's mission of the kingdom.
4. Servanthood. We serve as agents of the kingdom, of God's liberating and reconciling grace...Our aim is, therefore, to see God's loving will done on earth as in heaven, i.e., transformed people in a transformed world.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 20371-DI-69-D
1996 United Methodist General Conference