A few weeks ago I watched an intriguing documentary on the history and methodology of the US Navy SEALs. The birth of what became known as the SEALs during WWII was incredibly fascinating. First known as Amphibious Scouts and Raiders (Special Service Unit No. 1), these men used underwater demolition tactics to clear large portions of the beaches of Normandy, so that our transport ships full of soldiers could safely land. These little NCDUs (Naval Combat Demolition Units) completed similar heroic missions at Omaha Beach and Utah Beach to help conquer the German forces.
SEALs on Mission
My pastor-friend, Woody Shoemaker, is a heavily medaled Navy SEAL from the Vietnam War era. Years back, I asked him a little about his experiences in SEAL training and war. He has lots of interesting stories to tell. But one statement stood out to me, he said, “If you want to know if someone is a real Navy SEAL (because lots of people claim the title), you must ask them this: What was the number of your team in BUD/S training? If they won’t say, then they aren’t a SEAL.”
Mission assignments come to specific teams, so knowing which team you’re on is absolutely essential. In order for any SEAL team to be successful they need to focus on at least two things: (1). What is the mission? and (2) How we will complete the mission? No SEAL team would ever complete their goal without unifying around these objectives.
God on Mission
Our Commander was and is always on mission. God is a sending, missional God. God the Father sent His Son, and the Father and the Son sent the Spirit to empower God’s people to be sent out on mission to the ends of the earth to the praise of His grace.
God’s mission isn’t only a New Testament imperative; it has been God’s goal all along. Hear these words from the prophet Isaiah:
“He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations so that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6)
The God-inspired psalmist declares the same global mission of God:
“God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us – so that Your way may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations. Let the peoples praise You. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy; For you will judge the peoples with uprightness and guide the nations on the earth.” (Psalm 67:1-4; cf. 96:10)
Church on Mission
All those redeemed and adopted into God’s family are on His Team, the Church. We, as His people are, therefore, called to live on mission to display and declare the glories of His love and power in the gospel of Christ… to all nations!
We have our mission assignment. The trouble is churches often get hung up on how they’re going to accomplish the mission. We, as a local expression of the global Church, the team of Mayfair Bible Church per se, need to prayerfully, thoughtfully, and creatively determine how we will move forward on God’s mission. No surprise here, really. Every local church needs to continually process and evaluate mission effectiveness.
God is building is Church and expanding His kingdom across the earth. We’re seeing God on the move through Team-Mayfair in radical, exciting ways.
Sunday’s Action Steps
So because we all are deeply serious and passionate about living on God’s mission together (this absolutely thrills my soul), we’re going to be involving everyone this Sunday morning in a survey and mission brainstorming project. We will also be announcing details about mission consulting help we’ll be receiving from Dr. Howard Bixby of ChristWay Ministries (retired president of Baptist Bible Seminary, Clarks Summit PA), as well as a brief update on The Thrive Center building. What’s more, Elevate Student Ministries will be leading us in worship!
Pray in Faith. Walk in hope. Live on Mission… guided by His Love.
In Christ Alone,
May 19, 2018
Looking forward to see God’s will being done thru each of us.
May 19, 2018
Thank you, Pat. So am I! Sola deo gloria!