The Mission of the Church (Part 1)

 As I begin this journey of planting a church in Pittsburgh, two question that I’m continuing to wade through in my mind is, “What is the mission of the Church?” and, “how do I get my people excited about this mission?”

I understand the importance of having a mission statement; it helps you understand what you are doing and what you are going after. It helps you shoot arrows instead of shotgun shells. You can look at any successful secular organization and see that it is their mission statement that drives what they do. Starbucks says their mission is, “To inspire and nurture the human spirit- One person, One cup and One neighborhood at a time.” McDonald’s mission statement is, “To be our customers’ favorite place and way to eat.” Some mission statements are straightforward and some are very long and complex. The point of the mission statement is to keep the organization on track in what they were created to do.

As a local body of believers here in Pittsburgh, what is our mission statement? With God’s Word and help from a book called What is the Mission of the Church by DeYoung and Gilbert, I have come to the conclusion that the mission of the church is found in Matthew 28:18-20. Here we find the disciples getting their commission from Christ. It was their orders and it was their mission. We see the disciples shortly after that in Acts 2 beginning their mission. As thousands got saved that day at Pentecost, we see more people joining the mission that was given to the disciples. The universal church of God started in full force and thousands began fulfilling the mission that God gave the disciples that day on the mountain. Then, God started setting up the local church in different cities across the land. As believers got together with other believers they had one mission, and that was to fulfill the Great Commission.

So here is my question, “Why would the local church of any city have a different mission statement then what God gave to every believer in Matthew 28?” If the local church is made up of believers who are coming together to fulfill their mission, why would we want our mission statement to be anything more than the Great Commission? It is great to feed the poor and love everyone in your community; these are great visions to have. However, these should not be our primary mission. The church is made up of believers who have been given a mission over 2000 years ago. As a pastor, I want the programs I run and the things I do help my people fulfill the mission that God has given to them. My vision may change for the church as times go by, but my mission will never stray from Matthew 28:18-20.

(On the next blog we will dive into Matthew 28:18-20 and spell out what our mission is exactly and answer four questions that arise.)

What if……

What if it was in the year of 2013 that God sent the next great awakening to this land?

What if it was in the year of 2013 that God decided He has had enough with made-up “glory” and came in His pure glory?

What if it was in the year of 2013 that God saw fit to answer the prayers of thousands of believers who are begging Him to revive this land again?

What if it was in the year of 2013 that God showed His church how great His presence actually is?

What if He came?

What if He moved?

What if He revived?

What if all these “what if’s” became reality?

Is this year heartbeat? Do you believe it could happen this year? My question would be, “Why not”? God is all about His glory. God is all about His name being magnified. God is all about His presence being lifted high. We have seen in our nation’s past that God came in some of the darkest hours. When it seemed like His presence was all but gone, God showed up and flexed His sovereign muscle.  He demonstrated again that He is in charge and evil or darkness cannot top His power.

America is a great nation, with many incredible people. I am honored and blessed to be called an American. I love my land. However, it seems like we believe that we can do things without God. It seems as if we think that our way is higher than His way. We seek our own glory and pleasure believing it will satisfy our deepest longings.  We must repent! We must return! We must seek His face again.

Let this be the year.

I do not believe that 2 Chronicles 7:14 is a promise for us today; however, I do believe it is a pattern that we should follow today. We must humble ourselves, pray and seek His face. We must choose to walk away from our sin. What God decides to do after this is up to Him; He is sovereign.  However, I do believe that He loves to answer His children when they humble themselves and admit that without Him they are nothing.

I have hope that in 2013 God will show up.  I have hope that this will be the year. God is not dead, and nothing has taken Him by surprise. Don’t live like them who have no hope. He is alive and I believe He is ready to act!

Join me in praying for Him to send His manifest glory to His church again.

Psalm 85:6 –“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” 

"Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest." (John 4:35)

Jesus says the fields are ready for harvesting. He is now calling laborers. I don't know what 2012 looked liked for you, but I want to cast a vision for what I believe 2013 can look like. I believe fully that God has planned this church plant from the beginning of time. He knew that the East side of Pittsburgh needed a church like Harvest for this very time. I also believe that He has something very special for us as we watch Him build this church. I don't try to guess the number of people God will bring to the church, for that is God's business. However, I can dream about what Harvest Bible Chapel will look like. 

I see people excited to come worship Jesus Christ on Sunday. I see a high impact, Christ-centered, Gospel driven worship service. God says He inhabits the praises of His people, and we will not settle for anything less then His presence. I see the Word of God boldly proclaimed and then I hold to the promise that His Word will not return void. Lives will be changed, revived, encouraged and transformed.

I see Christians experiencing the abundant life that Christ talks about in John 15.  

I see a children and youth ministry where they are taught the Word and where accountability is high. Harvest Children  and Teen Ministry is all about raising Champions for Christ. God has not called them to be like the world, but He has called them to be in the world and to make a difference in their neighborhood, schools and community. 

I see community formed in small groups that meet on a weekly basis. This will not be social hour, but it will be a group of people investing in each other and keeping each other accountable. 

I see impact taking place in the community as members of Harvest shine like lights in their workplace. 

I see people giving financially, not out of compulsion or drudgery, but because they see what Christ is doing in the church and they know that God loves a "cheerful giver". 

I see God glorified, exalted, adored, magnified and lifted to the place where He deserves. 

  Yes, my dreams are high, but I believe God is going to do this. I also have found in my life that I can never out-dream God. He will do more then we can even ask or think.  I pray you are excited about what 2013 holds. I pray you are ready for a year that you will never forget. I know it is not going to be easy, for Satan does not want this to happen. But I believe the reward of looking back and seeing God put this church together from the very beginning will be something we will tell our grandkids. The fields are ready for Harvest.