Revitalizing Mission - Mr. Santy Paul

The calling of the church primarily is to share the experience of epiphany to the entire humanity. Mission of the church equipping the nations and its leaders with Divine love, which would enable them to function as the agencies of divine justice and virtue, has become an emergency of today’s world. Mission of church also includes raising its voice against injustice, discrimination and corruption regardless of persons, positions and power.

Christ’s identification with humanity could be regarded as a good model of mission. Christian communities are called to show forth the self-emptying love of God, which expects nothing from the receiver, to humanity. Jesus was obedient to the one by whom he was sent. The whole-hearted involvement of Jesus in his ministry, disregarding even the threats against his life is an inspiring factor for a Christian doing God’s mission.

In and through His mission, Christ treated the worthless as worthy; transformed the powerless to powerful; regarded and recognized the sidelined, labeled and down trodden as human and Children of God. This becomes an effective paradigm for the Liberative mission of the church, which is expected to carry out the extended ministry of Jesus Christ. The way of life, teachings and ministry of Jesus Christ give a clear idea regarding God’s vision about the mission of the Church.

Christian mission and ministry should be: Contributory: Christian presence in a secular world should contribute to the fullness of humanity. God through Jesus’ teachings inspires us to become the light of the world, salt of the earth and bearers of peace, which in one way or other contributes to the world. No contribution is possible without self-giving which involves self-sacrifice and self-empting. Meaningful contribution would aim at facilitating alms and guidance that would equip a community or nation towards a life of its own which autonomous and self equipped. It might focus on the empowerment of Diaspora communities and their growth in togetherness towards fullness.

Transformatory: God through Jesus Christ was acting as a transformer as well as a means of transformation in the existing social system and conventions. It was his won self that he paid as a price for the change he envisioned. It is the duty and obligation of the church to carry out a transformatory mission, which would result in the creation of a new world order.

Revelatory (Expository): The mission of the Church also includes having a vision and providing needed guidance to the world at large. In a situation of chaos and confusion, the church has the responsibility to act as an agency of God that gives advice to a governing system or raises its voice in protest against injustice. Church in mission should be revelatory equipping people and communities to have a vision that moulds and remolds their destiny. Mission calls for a serving church in every land, a church that bears the mark of the crucified and risen Lord. Lets be reminded, it is the hope and faith in divine providence that empowers and utilizes mission activities.