The Nature and Mission of the Church (Part II)
by Wesley S.K. Daniel

As one studies the nature of the early church in relation to revitalization and church growth, one will discover that there were four activities that enabled the early church to grow: (1) worship; (2) fellowship; (3) discipline; and (4) evangelism. Each of these activities may be found in chapter 2 of the book of Acts.

Jesus said, "the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10, NRSV). The Son of Man came "not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45, NRSV). Christ himself came to serve, seek, and save the lost. This was the primary mission of Christ. Therefore, the primary mission of the church must also be to serve, seek, and save the lost.

Many people today think of the church in static terms of worship and of self-preservation. Yes, the church must minister and nurture its members; it must inspire, motivate, comfort and instruct members. But there is more — the church's mission does not stop here.

The church, I believe, must advance and reach out to people outside the walls of the church through active witnessing, growth, and social service. Any church that spends all its time nurturing its own members and not getting involved in witness and service is not — in my estimation — worthy to be called a church.

The church must be conceived in functional terms of movement, growth, ministry and sharing with people within and outside the church. The church must be a place where people gather together in love and scatter out into the world to serve others in love and compassion. I will always remember a beautiful banner that I saw in a church. It said, "Gather together for worship, Scatter to serve." The United Methodit Church must gather for worship, for learning and faith development; and then it must scatter for witness and service, permeating into the society. It is here that the church takes on the servant role of Christ. This is the mission of the church.

(Note: Please also see "The Nature and Mission of the Church (Part I)."

Wesley S. K. Daniel, former staff of the General Board of Discipleship, is now serving as a superintendent in the Des Moines District of the Iowa Annual Conference.

posted 1-10-03