6-28-13 The Church is a Missional Society

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20) 

Thoughts: John Holt Rice was the president of Union Theological Seminary in Virginia and the moderator of the PCUSA general assembly in 1819.  In 1831 Rice said [The Church] "is a Missionary Society, the object of which is to aid in the conversion of the world, and that every member of the Church is a member for life of said society, and bound in maintenance of his Christian character, to do all in his power for the accomplishment of this object."  The Church is at her best when she is caring for others spiritually, physically and mentally- reaching out in Christ's name.  The Church is dying when she focuses only on itself and how she might survive.  Often it is in the ferment of self-focus that the church begins to raise up heresy and die out in favor of other idealistic thinking.
    The Church is a missionary society- every member is a missionary.  The word "Christian" means literally "little Christs"  and we are the light of the world (Mt. 5:14; Compared to John 8:12).  We are called to bear fruit in our lives-- the fruit of Christ in others.  

Prayer:  Help me to see my time as missionary time, and my work as missionary work, Lord. 

(John Holt Rice)