Daily “Missions” Opportunities

August 2006

“Summer time and the living is easy” . . . or so the song goes. Summers can be anything but easy for church leaders. A good summer mission trip never fails to provide ample opportunity for testing our patience, developing our character, and recharging our spiritual batteries.

There really is something special about venturing forth into a time of empowering others and serving together in the midst of the sweat, fellowship and camaraderie that distinguish missions activity from church as usual the other 51 weeks of the year.

By this time next month, the kids will be returning to school, the youth ministry leaders will be looking for an opportunity to “disappear” for a week or two, and the football team will begin tuning up for the fall season.  Super Summer wraps up and church secretaries and recorders begin to gather information for the annual church report. The chairman of the budget committee reminds fellow members that its time once again to begin justifying next year’s projected budget, and we all find ourselves fully engaged again with the “busyness” of church and its many activities.

Sadly, everyone’s memory of the recent summer mission trip begins to fade as we thrust ourselves back inside the walls of our church buildings.

Oh well, such would seem to be “church” life. You know the life that focuses only on a seven day cycle from Sunday to Sunday.

Does this sound familiar at all? Can there possibly be a way to keep the flames of enthusiasm and the genuine richness of serving others inside as well as outside our walls alive? Of course there is.

If we really want to see people find salvation in Jesus, converts become disciples, and pew sitters rise up to become the leaders of tomorrow we must seize the initiative and be pro-active. 

As we begin the pilgrimage to address what lies ahead, let us start by intentionally surrendering to the Lordship of Jesus, remembering His counsel about what constitutes obedience. . . “if you love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15).”, Let us not judge one another, but love each other as He has loved us (John 13:34) and filter all we purpose to do as individuals and as the Bride of Christ through His great commandment (Matthew 28:18-18-20). And in all this keep in mind that if we are not good stewards of the time He has given us it will slip like sand through our fingers.

As you ask God to show you “missions” opportunities daily, be ready to respond in obedience and with thanksgiving. Be of good cheer and God bless you as you serve and lead.

Check out Reggie McNeal’s latest book, Practicing Greatness – 7 Disciplines of Extraordinary Spiritual Leaders, I am sure that you will find it revealing and challenging.

Plan now to attend the annual meeting of the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists in Salina, KS October 16-17. I look forward to visiting with you.

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