The Gospel is about God’s plan in this world, so we’re now asking people to step out of this world but to be involved in how God is bringing history to its end and purpose.
Mission is to alert people to the universal reign of God. (a fundamental reality that is true regardless of whether people accept it or not)

What is mission?
- Announcement of the universal reign of God in Chirst
- Demonstration of the universal reign of God in Christ

--> Create foretastes of the world to come. Show people what it will look like… if God reigned visibly in this world – the justice and peace that He would bring. It is like a movie trailer – a taste of the real thing so that people want it.

- calling people to participate in God’s mission & liberation
What is God doing here? What is the Holy Spirit doing here? Participate in it!
The church does not define its mission – God does
Don’t buy pre-fabricated evangelism – just participate in the unique work that God is doing where you are.

Missio Dei – God is a missional God, Which means He extends Himself
He sends His people – unsent people are not God’s people.
Everyone is sent and given God’s mission (regardless of what you think your gifts might or might not be)

You may be sent to a people group rather than a locality because society is becoming less and less local and more network-based.
The goal of mission is salvation and justice.
Tim Keller – God’s work through Jesus is to rescue and renew all creation
Is your neighbourhood any better because your church is there?

Bearer of the mission is the whole church

--> Don’t appoint a committee/deacon for evangelism (impression that congregation isn’t involved)
--> Inter-church (not competitive but collaborative)
--> Laical (lay people, everyday Christians, do it) – not abolishing the clergy but abolishing the “laity”
--> Mission as the church’s organising function

The church’s functions (equal in priority):
• Worship (corporate)
• Discipleship
• Community
• Mission

Historically, our churches generally organise church around corporate worship
• We run a corporate worship service
• Discipleship is primarily through the sermon in the middle of the corporate worship service
• Community is over a cup of tea after the service
• Mission is by inviting non-churched people to the corporate worship service

If we organise church around mission (which involves announcement & demonstration in the community)
• Discipleship happens through taking younger Christians on mission with us – they learn by doing. As they engage with people they will encounter difficulties and questions and develop a natural hunger for the Scriptures
• Community is strongest when a group of people work towards a common goal together
• Worship will become spontaneous and frequent as people:
--> Praise God for His work
--> Pray for mercy and seek God’s guidance & wisdom