A temptation that often faces us as individuals as well as a group is to lose sight of what is important. For a Church to allow its priorities to be sidelined by various projects and interests would be spiritually disastrous. Because of that danger, it is important to have a clear focus on what our purpose and our mission actually are.
The Mission of Christ
Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, presented two kinds of people that God is actively looking for. In Luke 19:10, Jesus stated that He had come to “seek and to save that which was lost” (NASB). This statement provides us with the first part of our mission, as we join with Christ in seeking those who are “lost” for the purpose of making God’s plan of salvation known to them. We understand that by “lost”, Jesus meant souls who were separated from God and were thus headed for destruction. We endeavor ? following the example of Christ- to reach out to those who are apart from God. Out of love for them we desire that they find the salvation God freely offers in Christ. We seek to evangelize with humility and compassion, knowing that the life Christ offers is a valuable alternative that others have not yet discovered. Just as lost people matter to God, so they should matter to His Church.
The second group of people, that Christ tells us the Father is seeking, are mentioned in John 4:23. In that verse, we learn that the Father is seeking “the true worshippers” who “shall worship the Father in spirit and truth” (NASB). Such worshippers are those who “walk by the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16), and therefore are growing in His truth (John 17:17). These are the people described by the lyrics in the hymn, Amazing Grace: “I once was lost, but now am found” And now having been found, they seek to grow in the understanding of God’s grace.
These people to whom the Father sent His Son, are the same people we wish to reach. Our mission, like the mission of Christ, is then, twofold: reach those who are lost, and grow with them, as we all seek to be the true worshippers of God.
Stating Our Mission
Although most Christians are aware of the Church’s mission of evangelism and discipleship, we wanted to more fully express the particular characteristics of our fellowship here at the Chaffee General Baptist Church. We believe that God uses different congregations to fulfill the same goal in different ways. Therefore, we wanted to fully understand what God was doing in our fellowship that made us unique and would consequently flavor our pursuit of the mission set before us. In the spring of 1995 then Pastor, Joe Payne, called for those with a heart for formulating a clear, concise, vision statement for our Church, to prayerfully meet together for that purpose. Overwhelmingly, the committee sensed that our Church was called and gifted to proclaim the truth of, God’s Grace: “His undeserved kindness toward man.” The committee also believed they found the heart of this goal, anchored firmly in 2 Peter 3:18. In this verse, we find what we belive God has called us to do as His Church:
Encourage growth in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
