Missional Church 1

The next block in our Ephesians series is Missional Church. This mini-series is going to be very practical, looking at what a church obedient to the mission she’s called to looks like. Part 1, A Community on Mission looked at the dynamics involved in the early church. The text was Acts 6:1-7:

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. ² So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. ³ Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them ⁴ and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” ⁵ This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and 6 others. ⁶ They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. ⁷ So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly.

PJ teased out how the early church dealt with the challenge of suddenly being thrust into mission with all guns blazing, while maintaining a sense of “family” It’s family and army – at the same time. Here are some of their solutions:

• Do not abandon mission
• Increase honesty
• Increase organisation
• Increase number of leaders
• Increase responsibility
• Increase faith levels
• Increase being spirit-led
• Increase hospitality
• Increase playing to gift