New Zealand November 2018

pastors. Several of them spoke of their
very deliberate focus on cross cultural
mission and how they are encouraging
their congregations to be participants. This
was music to the ears of agencies who often
struggle to access churches.
One highlight for me was attending an
elective called “A Matter of Calling”. The
presenter was a vastly experienced mission
leader, who had been National Director of
a major international mission. He has also
had a distinguished academic career as a
Bible College Principal as well as being a
pastor and author!
His premise was that waiting for God’s
call to mission is not Biblically sustainable.
“Call” is almost always used in the
chapter titles – not as part of the text. His
contention is that waiting for a call can
often be an unintended diversion to ignore
what we have already been directed to do!
When the Israelites were fleeing
from Egypt – water in front,
army behind, they
cried out to God.
His reply is
telling. “Why are you crying out to me?’
He says, in paraphrase - tell them to get
on with it. I have ALREADY given them
everything they need!
Whilst churches often wait for people to
be “called” to mission, our presenter noted
that the Biblical model is being “sent”. In
Matthew 3:12 Jesus says “Ask the Lord of
the harvest, therefore, to send workers into
His harvest field.” He did not wait for His
disciples to be “called”. He tapped them
on the shoulder and sent them!
In John 20 Jesus says “As the Father has
sent me, so I am sending you?”
The key component of mission is not
agencies like CCSM but the churches.
They are the ones who have the mandate
to identify, tap on the shoulder and send.
Our important role is local knowledge and
support.
Could you pray that our churches will
have a revelation about their mission
responsibility. “Therefore go and make
disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19)
is unequivocal. Waiting for the “call” is
ignoring the fact that we already have that
call! We just need to be sent.
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CCSM New Zealand
PO Box 76653
Manukau, Auckland 2241
(09) 924 6728
National Director: Murray Cameron
newzealand@amccsm.org
www.amccsm.org