Page 8 - Cross_Booklet ver1.2

CENTRALITY OF THE CHURCH

Sometimes the rather it is the heart of what we are
statement is to be about in missions and in the
said, ?Jesus Christian life. Disciples rise and fall
called us to most often in one life span, a well
make disciples, planted Bible believing and teaching
not to plant church will build up those disciples
churches.? That and last generations, not just years.
statement though is not accurate
and it leads to a diminishing of the So if the church is the heart of what
church here or wherever missionar- we are trying to accomplish over-
ies go to work. Matthew 28:19 says seas, it would be wise to get to

?Go, therefore and make disciples know and be a part of the church
of all nations.? But don? stop there. here, in your home country, before
t
Jesus continues in verse 20 and you go overseas. Unfortunately it is
says ?teaching them to obey all that somewhat common for someone to
I have commanded you.? Part of get burdened about missions but
what Jesus com- have no local church
manded us to do is that knows them, can
make disciples, but to speak to their character,
gather those disciples and would recommend
into churches and them for being mission-
t
teach them (Eph- aries. If you don? know
esians 4:11), nurture the local church, and
them (Ephesians 5:29- that local church doesn't
32) and guard them know you, who will send
(Acts 20:28). The you (Biblically), who will
church should never be your authority, and
be viewed as an ?ex- how will you know what
tra? or optional thing a good church overseas
for us to consider, will look like?