Definitions

Recently I was asked to participate in a research project that a fellow blogger and Presbymergent individual was doing.  He asked in his questions for our definition of three words.  Here are my responses.  I would love to hear yours.

Neighbor – I have come to define this much differently over the last couple of years.  First and foremost, this term does not have a geographical nature for me any more.  I would begin by defining this as anyone who the Lord places in my path of life.  But this does not require a physical connection on the path but more of an awareness.  As I become aware of someone, then they become my neighbor.

Mission

– I have come to dislike this term because I believe that it has become a term that has been overused and often misunderstood in the church.  I would define this term using the words of the Great Commission found in Matthew 28.  I believe this has always been the “mission” of the church.  Therefore, anything and everything that the church does as it strives to fulfill the Great Commission should be termed “mission”.  Unfortunately, this term has often been used to only refer to outreach programs both locally and internationally.  It is so much more than that.

 

Church – The gathering of a group of believers who learn and grow as they together strive to live out the Great Commission.  This group worships the Lord, challenges each other in growing as disciples of Jesus Christ, and works together to share the Good News of our Lord.