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Mission Work

1.1)Themes of mission by David Bosch include mission as act of mercy, mission as a witness, mission as God’s mission and mission as an action of God in past times (Bosch, 1991, p.16)

1.2) One person named in the bible called to many is Apostle Paul according to his call. Acts 9)

1.3) The Pharisees where a religion that the kingdom of God will come by much observation unlike the way Jesus came. They couldn’t believe whether Jesus presented wholly the Kingdom of God because of his view in reference to God’s mission, acts of mercy and compassion. They were much unto the Law of Moses.

1.4) Jesus saw the kingdom as of grace and God’s compassion, the kingdom included all people, is based on forgiveness and reconciliation, it is experienced through healing and its build on love and not law.( Bosch, D.J., 1991,P.17)

1.5) The six phases of mission are Gospel to the Jews, Gospel to Roman and Greeks, to Barbarians, To West Europe, gospel to all continents and gospel to all cultures and the whole world.

1.6) To continuousimprovement ourselves as the body of Christ we need to work on serious commitment to God’s work, build good relationships, work on community morals and do a check on how God relates with us.

1.7) Steps in dealing with conflicts include recognizing that a conflict exists and needs an action,

In confronting be respectful, determine the real cause of conflict, make a plan of ending the conflict and monitor the progress of resolution (Brin, 1999, P.597)

2.1) The mission of theof theearly church wascenteredthree picture, one

Sending

The group of disciples had a mission to reach out the whole world. Jesus had called the first twelve disciples to teach them the kingdom of God. The twelve Apostles were a part of the early church. They are the people who took the mantle of the gospel after ascension of Jesus Christ. They all learned through demonstration of what Jesus Christ was doing (Luke 5:1-11, 6:12-16). Jesus send them on their first mission to see how well they were (Luke9:1-6,10:1-20). They go out in the mission and come back happy for demons obeyed them.

After Jesus rises up from the dead, he comes to them (Mat 28:18-20) and gives them full authority and power to continue his mission in the whole world. This pictures church in a mission and is a good example to the present church. Several churches are still doing the same as imitators of Christ idea mission.

Sending people on outreach mission fulfills Christ’s mission for many people are reached with the good news of Christ. People have given themselves fully and became missionaries of the same just as apostle Paul was send to the Gentiles.

The second picture is conversion which is talked about by Peter and John also in the book of Revelation. It included small groups especially Gentiles who came to the knowledge of Christ. The small groups faced opposition and Peter writes to encourage them that even their suffering depicts the Gospel (1 Peter1:13-16, 2:1-12).

Conversion fulfills the mission of Christ for those converts witness to many others and they come to the knowledge of Christ. In Revelation 2, 3 and 4 we see what John writes to churches to encourage them in Christ’s mission.

The third picture receiving and including which majorly deals with the ministry of forgiveness, healing and reconciliation. Jesus came to proclaim that the Kingdom of God is of mercy, forgiveness, love and healing.

This picture shows that the mission of Christ is worldwide and includes all people, nations and all cultures.

2.2 In my report I will explain how my local church to the call of missions.

My church is one of the Pentecostal churches which understands well the mission of Jesus Christ. Founded on the doctrine as seen in the early church (Acts 1 and 2). We understand that when Jesus rose up from the dead he commissioned us to do his work (Acts1:4-8). We understand that relationships are core in the mission of the body of Christ. My church has a program of meeting every day for fellowship in church or in subgroups which meet in families to share together. This has been strengthening the bond of relationship in the body of Christ. We also help one another and we reach out to the society with love of Christ.

As members of the Church we are also guided to obey the call of God as individuals and as a ministry. Individuals have a responsibility of attending bible teaching and preaching everywhere they work or spend they days. We are taught and we also read in the bible that we are supposed to go to the whole world and make all people Disciples of Christ. Teaching them also we hear and read in the Bible.(Mat28:19-20). As a church we go out to reach and to people, commission pastors and open churches for people to access the gospel of the Kingdom.

We attract new members as a church by preaching and also witnessing unto them. We have open air crusades aimed at reaching many people at the same time. When miracles sign and wonder happen people are attracted to church. In outreach people get healed and they end up becoming members of our church. Showing love and kindness unto strangers has also attracted many people to the church. When people see the unity and the love portrayed by believers in the church they admire it and are attracted to the Church. Members are also encouraged to invite people to attend church programs and functions and we end up having a high membership.

My church serves well the culture diversity of my contest because everybody in the society is appreciated by my church. It doesn’t matter whatsoever culture someone comes from. Everybody is treated as redeemed by Christ and we are all equal. Different churches have different views in my context and we all participate to make sure everybody is appreciated. Belief systems and differences which do not go against the mission of Christ are taken as a tool of witnessing unto people. Invitations to different cultural functions most times turn out to a place of witnessing the good news of the cross of Calvary. For Christ died for every one we all have a responsibility of appreciating cultural diversity.

3.1 Six phases in which Gospel was taken to the world and the era in them

The Gospel to the Jews: This occurred at the earliest time of the proclamation of the the gospel. We get a clear insight from Matthews’ gospel who seems more of a Jew. He starts by showing the ancestry of Jesus (Mat1:1) and ends by showing Jesus death for claiming to be the messiah.

The gospel to the Greeks and Romans: This took place between 1^st and 5^th CE. The message was to “Gentiles”. It was much in the territory of Roman Empire. The limitation in this is because at long run the Emperors changed the core mission of Christ from winning souls. Baptism became like a way of obtaining citizenship and not a new begging of life.

The Gospel to Barbarians took place after the collapse of Roman Empire. The focus of the Gospel moved from the right faith to the message of conversion. Love was not practiced and people like the monks believed force can be used to convert people.

The Gospel to Western Europe was much focused on entire nation than individuals. This mission only served the interest of Kings and Chiefs deviating from the mission of Christ. Crusades were introduced in this time to liberate the Holy Land which had been taken by Muslims. Martin Luther came during this era.

The Gospel to other continents happened from 15th century onwards. Missionaries focused on teaching Christian ways and values. More missionaries came to board at this era.

The worldwide Gospel among All cultures was the colonial type mission between 1941-1918. It took place also during Second World War but died in 1960s when colonies became independent.

3.2) Missionary work in this days is different from the older times. Though we can learn from the failures of the early mission work, we have to use different methods of witnessing to people.

In these modern days we need to use fast means of communication to reach unto people. Social media like Facebook twitter and WhatSapp can really do well in spreading the Gospel. Most people spend much time in social media and there is where you can get them very easily. As churches and people committed to the call of missions we have to use this social media effectively and not condemn them exclusively. National TVs and magazines can take information far and very fast. Anything happening anywhere in the world can be accessed everywhere in this world. The world is now a global village and information in the internet spreads very quickly. This means that for fast communication of the message of the cross we need to utilize technology very well.

However, preaching the Gospel targeting specific people isn’t applicable. The Gospel is universal and works the same everywhere when believed. We cannot also convert people by force in this era because of human rights which gives everyone a freedom of choice.

3.3) In this modern days Christian mission has faced a lot of crisis which as Christians we need to beware of. Many emerging issues have come up and affected Christian missions globally.

There are issues we need to note affecting Christian missions. David Bosch in his book described some like development of science and technology, diminishing of Christianity in nations were it began, emergence of people of other faiths were Christians missionaries are confused whether to evangelize to other faiths or not.

In my view as Christians we need to know how to cope with the present crisis facing missionary work. Development of science and technology has led to adverse effects where knowledge has made believe in God not necessary. Science and technology cannot replace God. It’s a lie of the devil for people to believe in science to be specific which has limitations. There are many aspects in which science is limited and we as Christians we have to put our trust and our focus on God who is able. For example there are diseases which science has not managed to cure. They need a supernatural intervention which can all be found in God. Science and Technology cannot give life but the God of whom we believe can heal and give life. We see during the time of Jesus knowledge was also limited and Jesus managed to demonstrate power by cleansing leapers and casting out demons. Can science and technology do this? We have a responsibility to the mission of Christ for He said the things He did we will greater things than Him (John14:12-14)

Western nations abolishing Christianity shouldn’t discourage us. Any nation with the true Gospel is supposed to reach other nations. We have no excuse to give when it comes to the missionary work. Any nation or people who are not in the way of the Bible shouldn’t be our role models whatsoever. Mission work should be continuous to us and focusing on who brought the gospel to us should be none issue.

In the current world we see clearly that many faiths and religions have emerged. But we should not be confused. We have a responsibility to reach everybody. The mission of Christ is that every comes to the knowledge of the truth. Let’s arise and witness our Christ for he confirms his word with signs and wonders (Mark 16:20)

4.1) Jesus lived his missionary call by

Have a good relationship with the Father. He was always God centered. He once said that the Father is always at work and he does what he sees the Father doing. (John5:19). Jesus was prayerful and kept on talking with the Father to know His will. God’s presence and Holy Spirit guided Him all through his ministry. He had a spirit of discernment which kept him obedient to the Father in all situations. Jesus was selfless and his mission was to help humanity, he did everything as a service to God. His life was full of unconditional love, justice, mercy, compassion, stewardship, servant leadership (Mat20:24). Jesus healed all manner of diseases.

Jesus was humble in all his dealings and lived as a human being in all the power he had. He advocated the life of forgiveness and conversion to the truth.( Bosch, D.J., 1991, P.34)

4.2) Learning from Jesus example am challenged insoundrelationship with God and with others.

Jesus was prayerful and was always in constant conversation with God. This makes me know that prayer is necessity for a Christian. For me I have learned to keep a constant prayer life which makes an open communication with God always. Jesus could only do the will of the father and so as a Christian I should carry the mandate of Jesus.

Jesus was a responsible steward of God’s work and I have to be responsible in the house of God. He served God in all his days and accomplished his mission. (John 4:33-35). Jesus served fellow human beings and am should be a servant leader always in God’s Kingdom. Once he washed disciple’s feet as an indication that we have to help and serve others. Jesus was humble and I should respect and honor people at all cost no matter my status.

4.3) Schwartz’s three missionary areas and what we can learn from them.

Proactive mission. It focuses on evangelism and discipleship where one invest a lot of time in witnessing to others the good news of Christ. One focuses on the redemptive power of the cross of Calvary. Shows a person that his/her sins where forgiven on the cross of Calvary. This makes one to accept the redemptive power electronics of Jesus. Evangelism and discipleship bring many people to Christ who through discipleship are able to hold on truth. A missioner invests a lot of time in making people Disciples of Christ. Knowledge of the truth makes the person to witness to others.( Schwartz, T.T., 2008:1)

Reflective mission. Focuses on social justice and tolerance. World peace, the biology and reconciliation is very key. It emphasizes on the poor and God’s mission for the whole creation. Humanity has been faced by challenges in this present world. Wars and rumors of war, social injustices and many evils. This makes a missioner focus on helping people to be tolerant and appreciate peace. People also know the important of social justice and know how to handle social injustices. Reconciliation is also key in this mission. Wars in nation due to for example politics need people to help in resolution.

Affective mission. This focuses and wholeness of a person in terms of health and spiritual power. It’s an invitation for a person to know God supernatural power personally. Opens one’s mind to know what God can do for him or her. God has been good to people all times. (Schwartz, T.T., 2008:1)

At times people may not even understand how God is good and so a missioner need to take his/her time in helping people understand. Incurable diseases have been a major threat to humanity. This has led to a cry of a supernatural power which is able to deal with things higher than human capacity. Knowing God personally leads to spiritual power and peace in a person.

4.4) Risks of Schwartz’s missionary area and how Christians can guard against these excesses

People with proactive mission have a tendency of ending up becoming legalistic which is opposed to Christ’s mission. Jesus was very critical on legalism. Legalism may lead to negligence of social justice and a perfect personal relationship with God. Every Christian with this call should be very careful to note and follow the call of Jesus Christ. Prayer for open communication with God concerning His will is of great help. .(Schwartz, T.T., 2008:1)

A person who only focuses on reflective mission may end up becoming syncretistic in long run. This makes him to see Evangelism and discipleship not a priority. The mission of Christ was based on witnessing unto people and there anyone deviating in not in the real mission. For Christian to avoid this they should include also the other mission works to go hand in hand. We should be careful as Christians to follow the great commission. Though the person with this call focuses on God as a person and different experience of people with God, he needs also to point people to great commission.

Affective mission can make one to be more focused on the inner picture and also dreams and visions more than the scripture. Scriptures are Christ himself and the foundation of his ministry. Any deviation from the world is destructive mission. Everybody with this call should mix with the proactive and reflective mission to be effective.

5.1) Principals of effective leadership

Vision: This is the ability to come up with new possibilities. It’s the ability to see potential in people or projects. When a leader is able to analyze situations and see potential he/she will lead effectively without becoming a victim of circumstances. Vision is built on goals, dreams, and desires of the people a leader is leading. A leader of vision allows people to make suggestions and express themselves concerning a certain plan. Visionary leadership makes people achieve in all their endeavors they venture into. Vision gives a leader foundation in which he can stand unto and guide the rest of the team he/she leads.

Discipline: This is the ability to make sound judgment. A good leader is not always critical but he analyses situation, consults to come up with the best decision. A disciplined leader invests his time and resources to make everything work. Sees nothing impossible and doesn’t make excuses why things can’t work.

Passion: A leader has to be committed and passionate to the vision. He should be completely focused on the vision such that he will not fail the group. The leader’s passion should be in line with the people he/she is leading. He makes the group realize their gifts and talents. He/she makes people to rise from their mistakes and make them feel loved always to proceed.

Conscience: A leader’s conscience should be strong and grounded. A leader should be humble and able to accept corrections. There should be no ego in a leader and should not always feel he/she is always right. Should not feel like a lord over the others but rather a servant unto all for glory of Jesus. They should be able to make the arrogant become servant leaders too.

Four characteristics of effective leadership

Vision that recognizes what to be done or what not to be done at a given time, discipline which signifies how to handle a group or circumstances, conscience that states why and why not to take a certain direction or an action at a certain point and passion which is the power behind it all

a) Disunity in my local church and the root problem

One of a situation which led to disunity in my local church was whether to open a local church and transfer one pastor in the main church to the new church. The point of conflict was that the pastor was not willing to be transferred by the senior pastor. A difference arose because some of the church congregations sided with the church senior pastor and others with the pastor to be taken to the new church. The mission left by Christ is about mission and reaching unto many people and people differed in an opinion clearly outlined by the Bible. Though it’s a conflict of ideas it was opposed to Christ’s mission of love for one another and for those who are being lost.

This disunity led to hatred and internal separation of the church. Some people became enemies of one another because of taking sides in a conflict between two people. Some left church to other churches and other went back to the worldly systems. Those who were left with the senior pastor continued for we believe in him and we know he is used of God. Misunderstanding one another also arose among the two separate congregations and also inside the two groups.

Brin’s five stages to resolve the tension and disunity

The two parties needs to recognize that the conflict need action. This is by the action of the two parties knowing they are differing and that an action is necessary. Without the two pastors agreeing that the conflict need to be solved then it is insolvable.

The two parties despite their decision should respect each other when confronting the situation. Success in conflict management is sided much by respect between the parties involved. Each party should be truthful and in singleness of heart and stick to the facts.

Both parties should come to a full knowledge of the root cause of the problem for it to be solved. Each party should have an opportunity to express their opinion openly. This leads to identification of the real issue.( Brin, D., 1999, P.597)

Development of a plan to end the conflict. Both parties and individuals should be willing to find a solution. Each party should suggest a resolution for ending the conflict which is satisfactory to everyone.

Monitor progress. Both parties should be responsible to ensure the solution is implemented. Any other concern should be openly discussed by the parties.

References

1. Bosch, D.J., 1991.  Transforming mission: Paradigm shifts in theology of mission (No. 16). Orbis Books.
2. rin, D., 1999. Disputation Arenas: Harnessing Conflict and Competitiveness for Societ's Benefit. Ohio St. J. on Disp. Resol., 15, p.597.
3. Schwartz, T.T., 2008. Travesty in Haiti: A truecorporate accountingof Christian missions, orphanages, fraud, food aid and drug trafficking. Createspace Independent Pub