Emmanuel Reformed Church of the United Church of Christ

At the May Consistory meeting, I led devotions by looking at the future potential mission of Hill’s Church. According to Herb Miller, the church strategist, in his book “Church Personality Matters” (1999) there are (at least) 10 Biblical ways to be involved in mission. No one church can do all 10 well. A church can only focus on one or two at a time.  We’ve done some of the ten well in the past.  But what haven’t we done and should do in the future?

I asked consistory to share their votes on which of the following Missions we should focus on in the next two years. Now, I’d like to hear from you! The 10 Mission-Delivery Methods are below, with their Biblical Warrant. At the bottom is a poll.

Which of these 10 topics seems most appropriate to you as a priority for Emmanuel Reformed in the next two years?

1. Nurture and create leaders who demonstrate and explain a dream of hope for the future.  Romans 15:13–¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
2. Feed people’s souls consistently in worship.Acts 2:42–⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
3. Develop an atmosphere of Christian compassion and love within the congregation.  John 13:34-35–³⁴ “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
4. Large numbers of people participate in Jesus’ mission and ministry.  1 Corinthians 12:4-9–⁴ There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.⁵ There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.⁶ There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work . . . ..
5. Evangelize strangers; encourage people to have a deeper, and perhaps new,  relationship with Jesus Christ.  Mark 1:17–¹⁷ “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
6. Sincerely and with energy take in new members into church.  Acts2:47—⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
7. Provide small group Bible studies and fellowship groups.  Ephesians 2:12-14–¹² Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. . .
8. Instruct people in  prayer.  Luke 11:1–One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
9. Persuade people to be involved in stewardship.1 Corinthians 12:4-7–⁴ There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. ⁵ There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord . . . .⁷ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
10. A ministry of healing, feeding the hungry; both at home and abroad.   Matthew 24:45–⁴⁵ “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?