If we truly “put Christ first” then our priorities and focus should be the same as Jesus’.  Our ministry is to engage in the ministry of Jesus Christ.  We have inherited the ministry that Jesus began two thousand years ago, and that ministry is to “Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Teaching them to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:19-20)  The disciple- making ministry of Jesus entailed two primary areas:

• Edification (Internal emphasis)- teaching, learning, personal growth, development
• Evangelism (External emphasis)- outreach, mission, new converts, non-churched

These two factors provided the priorities and focus to all that Christ did.  It was a balance between the internal (“us”) and the external (“them”).  We see this portrayed in Jesus’ life with his ministry to the Apostles (edification of the inner twelve) and his ministry to people (evangelism to the masses).   We then, must ask ourselves; does our Church and its ministries reflect this Christ-centered healthy balance of both edification and evangelism?  We must seek to always both edify (teach) and evangelize (reach) people of all ages. 

Serving with You!

Pastor Jonathan