In this video and discussion series we are looking at seven characteristics of healthy Christians and healthy churches. Churches with Jesus Christ and the Christian gospel at their centre. Because our vision as a denomination is of A Healthy Gospel Church for Every Community in Scotland.
So far in the model we have been looking at we have considered Healthy Preaching, Healthy Worship and Healthy Prayer. Here is number four in this model: Healthy Mission
A vision for a Healthy Gospel Church requires a focus on Healthy Mission. Healthy churches will be wanting to grow and multiply as the gospel is proclaimed and God’s Kingdom advances in Scotland and beyond.
That is particularly challenging in a post-Christian secular country, but we know that God’s desire is that many people in our world should yet be saved, and we pray that he might work powerfully in our nation.
As individual Christians we probably each need to be a little bit more intentional in sharing the good news. There is room to raise the evangelistic temperature across the whole denomination.
There is opportunity also to plant daughter churches or partner with a missionary church plant in another part of Scotland. In the past we have partnered with church plants in South Africa and Peru. There is now a great need in Scotland for Mission Church plants. And so we can support mission in other parts of Scotland by getting behind a church plant.
How might we improve our Mission health? Well perhaps there is a need for some training, or a time of focussed efforts. Could you organise events such as a curry and quiz night with a short talk? Easter and Christmas events are often well attended. Invitation services throughout the year. And of course, praying for opportunities to share our faith and to give a reason for the hope that we have.
Also mission in our local area. Making connections to community groups, running a youth club, mother and toddler group, foodbanks, money management courses, and so on, are all ways to demonstrate God’s love to the communities around us.
And healthy churches will be supporting Mission and Mission Partners throughout the world.
You will have ideas from your own local situation. So please have a conversation with others in your church about how you grow in Healthy Mission. You may find it helpful to use the discussion guides available below.
But do please take time to think and discuss with others how you might grow in Healthy Mission, and how your congregation might grow in Healthy Mission. That we might better share the good news of the Gospel with those who do not know what Jesus has done for them.
Healthy Mission is essential if we are going to see A Healthy Gospel Church for Every Community in Scotland.