Be a Missionary in Your Own Neighborhood
I’ve been reading through a very challenging book called “Planting Missional Churches” by Ed Stetzer. I’m almost through it, and I recommend you read it – whether you feel like a church planter or not. Stetzer challenges his readers to be “missional”.
This idea certainly isn’t new. Before Jesus ascends into heaven after his resurrection, he tells his disciples to “Go and make disciples of all nations.” (Matt. 28:19). He is basically saying that we should be missionaries. Growing up, our local church always sponsored and sent out missionaries. I remember a couple of them distinctly – one missionary family was in South America, and another missionary was in Africa. I have a Great Uncle and Aunt that served as missionaries in Japan. When I hear the word “missionary”, I think about somebody going somewhere very, very far away.
I am re-thinking what it means to be a missionary. The mission field isn’t, and shouldn’t be, another continent. The mission field is whatever ground we are standing on. It is so important that we understand this concept if we are to be called disciples of Christ.
So, I am trying to understand what it means to be a missionary in my own neighborhood. I’d like to encourage you to do the same.