Here is an interesting exert that I found on the Dying Church.
The North American Church is suffering from severe mission amnesia. It has forgotten why it exists. The church was created to be the people of God to join him in his redemptive mission to the world. The church was never intended to exist for itself. It was and is the chosen instrument of God to expand his kingdom. The church is the bride of Christ. Its union with him is designed for reproduction, the growth of the kingdom. Jesus does not teach his disciples to pray, "Thy church come." The kingdom is the destination. In its institutional preoccupation the church has abandoned its real identity and reason for existence.
God did not give up on his mission in the Old Testament, when Israel refused to partner with God. God is a reckless lover. He decided to go on with the mission himself. We do not need to be mistaken about this: if the church refuses its missional assignment, God will do it another way. The church has, and he is. God is pulling end runs around the institutional North American church to get people in the streets. God is inviting us to join him on mission, but it is the invitation to be part of a movement, not a religious club. (Reggie McNeal, The Present Future)
I agree with what is said here but I want to add a few things. I think that the reason that the church is suffering from "missional amnesia" is that the individuals within the church are suffering from the same condition. The individuals have forgotton why they exist. We have been called to join God's redemptive mission to the world. We were never intended to become Christians for our own benefit. We have been chosen to work towards the expansion of God's kingdom. Jesus did not teach his disciples to pray, "Thy blessings come". The kingdom is the destination. In our self-focused preoccupation we have abandoned our real identity and reason for existance. If we do not learn to focus our attention and lives on building God's kingdom he will do it without us.
Posted by rose at August 11, 2004 01:03 PM | TrackBackAnd to add to these: the evangelical church has drifted in its theology. We have lost sight of the full gospel. The evangelistic call, as stated in Romans 1:5, is "to the obedience that comes from faith." The call is not just to faith. It is to the OBEDIENCE that comes from faith. The current "gospel" void of obedience, breeds laziness and apathy. So many Christians feel that "grace has covered it all" so that it is not even necessary, if one has made a sincere decision for Christ, to walk with Him in obedience.
Posted by: Anne at August 23, 2004 03:52 AMI fully agree with you. As James points out "faith without works is dead." I definatly try to emphasize the need to get out and obey. Thanks for the feedback.
Posted by: Rose Mawhorter at August 23, 2004 04:23 PM