1 Chronicles 25-27 | John 9:1-23

“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15

For the past 97 years at The Peoples Church (Toronto, Canada), global mission is at the heart of our church and part of the vision by our founder, Oswald J. Smith. Oswald felt a compelled calling into the mission field, but for a number of reasons was not permitted to go. Instead, he planted a church passionate about global mission.

At Peoples, we do not step into missions blindly, we have a Global Mission Guidebook that informs how we are to step into that space. The following are some of its guiding principles: Firstly, “The Great Commission must always be fulfilled and communicated in the context of the Great Commandment—to love as Christ loved us.” Before Jesus went on the cross, He told His disciples: “A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35). Before we step into any co-creation of mission together, we do it in a posture of humility and love towards one another.

Secondly, “All divisions, preferences, or demands for cultural uniformity deny the reconciling work of Christ and His desire to make us one in our beautiful diversity.” This was something that the early church wrestled with, where the Judaizer said for the Gentiles to be accepted before God, they needed to adapt to a more Jewish-centered living of circumcision and refraining from unclean food; the Council of Jerusalem met to refute this notion because Christ reconciled people through His finished work. Hence, when we are doing cross cultural ministry, we are not calling people to uniformity; we are calling people to unity, recognizing that it shines through our diversity.

Thirdly, “The paradigm and language of ‘mission’ is helpful in that it is purposeful and active. The paradigm and language of ‘mission’ is not helpful when it has any nuance of conquest, coercion, or agenda.” In other words, we step into a place very carefully, not trying to coerce, conquer or conform. Lastly, “Our engagement in mission must always be relational rather than transactional or utilitarian. Partnerships have inherent value.” More than trying to get things done together, we are about building relationships because the body of Christ is a living organism building itself up in love.

When we join our brothers and sisters around the world in mission, may we do so with the love of Christ in a posture of humility that celebrates our unity that shines through our diversity.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, may the way that I join my brothers and sisters in Your Great Commission be done so in a loving manner with a posture of humility. Thank You, Lord.