TEXAS MESSENGER - The Texas District of the Lutheran Church ...

Missions
in Texas
Texas Messenger
Texas District
Mission News
by the Paul Krentz
Mission and Ministry Facilitator, Area B
The ‘ so thats’ make all the difference
What are your personal “so thats” as you live your
life as a disciple of Jesus What are your congregation’s
“so thats” as it carries out its many activities
each day, each week, each month Why does “so
that” matter My friend, Dr. Will Sohns, The Grove,
taught me about this at a recent Texas District staff
retreat.
In the New Testament, the phrase “so that” or “in
order that” or just plain “that” appears 570 times.
Each time it occurs, it is called a ἵνα (English transliteration
is a hína), a subordinating conjunction,
which means “for the purpose that” or “in order that”
looking to the aim (intended result) of the verbal idea
which was being expressed. How does that play out
in the mission of God as it is expressed in the New
Testament Just looking at a few of these verses tells
us quite a bit about God’s mission.
“He came as a witness to testify concerning that
light, so that through him all men might believe. He
himself was not the light; he came only as a witness
to the light” (John 1:7-8 NIV).
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said
Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God
might be displayed in his life … Jesus said, “For judgment
I have come into this world, so that the blind
will see and those who see will become blind” (John
9:3, 39).
“Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated
everything from the beginning, it seemed good also
to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent
Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty
of the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:3-4).
“I am coming to you now, but I say these things
while I am still in the world, so that they may have
the full measure of my joy within them” (John
17:13).
“… but now revealed and made known through
the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal
God, so that all nations might believe and obey
him” (Rom. 16:26). “I will rescue you from your own
people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to
Krentz
them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness
to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so
that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place
among those who are sanctified by faith in me”
(Acts 26:17-18).
Each time a “so that” appears in the life and words
of Jesus, it tells us that every action and word He
spoke was purposeful and intentional. Everything was
tied to God’s ultimate rescue mission for humankind,
a rescue from sin, death and the devil. The “so thats”
most often link to the mission of Jesus, His disciples
and His church.
Through the mere passing of time, many believers
and churches start programs, activities and groups.
Many serve the mission of Jesus well. Some may not.
If we put a “so that” after each program, activity or
meeting that takes place in your congregation, what
would it tell us I will be bold here. If the “so that”
can clearly be linked to the mission of Jesus in the
world, it’s probably a good one to continue. But if we
find ourselves scratching our head and wondering
what the real “so that” is, perhaps it’s time to discontinue
the program, event, activity, meeting or group.
The time is short and the mission to share Jesus’
love with a dying world is urgent and important. We
don’t have time to carry out programs for which a
strong missional “so that” can’t be found. For me,
this means taking a close look at how I spend my
time, energy and resources. I need to make sure my
“so thats” are clearly connected to the Great Commission.
In areas where that is not true, I am asking
God to continuously be about transforming me. What
about your church Have you looked at your “so
thats” lately
APRIL 2012 C