The Mission Of The Church

What is the mission of the Christian church?

What do you think the focus of our ministry should be?

Ever wonder if the church’s view of its mission morphs over time?

Here is an interesting example: from the official prayers in the front of our last 3 hymnals…

(Service Book and Hymnal (1958), collect titled “For Missions”)

“Almighty God, who hast called the Church out of the world to thee: Make her faithful, we beseech thee, in the work thou hast entrusted to her hands. Stir up the hearts of thy people here and everywhere, that by their prayers, gifts, and labors, they may have due part in the spreading of thy Gospel over all the earth; and hasten the time when all the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord, and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

(Lutheran Book of Worship (1978) collect titled “The Mission of the Church”)

“Lord God of our salvation, it is your will that all people might come to you through your Son Jesus Christ. Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection. We pray in his name.”

(Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006) collect titled “The Mission of the Church”)

“Draw your church together, O God, into one great company of disciples, together following our teacher Jesus Christ into every walk of life, together serving in Christ’s mission to the world, and together witnessing to your love wherever you will send us; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Please spend some time in prayer with these collects of the church and see how the Spirit moves you to an appreciation of our shared, and ever evolving, mission.

Blessings and joy!

Pr Mike