The Goal.

    David Bosch has a quote in his book Transforming Mission that says, “Even so, personal conversion is not a goal in itself. To interpret the work for the church as the ‘winning of souls’ is to make conversion into a final product, which flatly contradicts Luke’s understanding of the purpose of mission. Conversion does not pertain merely to an individual’s act of conviction and commitment; it moves the individual believer into the community of believers and involves a real — even a radical — change in the life of the believer, which carries with it moral responsibilities that distinguish Christians from ‘outsiders’ while at the same time stressing their obligation to those ‘outsiders’.” 

    I think that this has a real application to every church and those who make it run. Conversion isn’t just accepting Jesus. It is that, but it is more. There are things required in accepting Him. Bosch stated it like this, “it moves the individual believer (from the world) into the community of believers and involves a real - even a radical - change in the life of the believer.” I think that this is very important. There are so many Christians that I know who are not in a community of believers. Yes, they go to a church or a ministry outreach thing, but all they have are friends. They are lacking in intentionality that pushes the person into the real (radical) change in their life.

    Churches must be able to help fill this role. The church going after just “seekers” and not trying to build up the body will be a church full of baby Christians, who never grow into who God wants them to be, leaving a minimal impact on the community around them. I firmly believe that community pushes people to work for the Kingdom. Lives change. Cities change. The world can change. We just need to have the backing of believers who believe in Jesus so much that they believe He can use people like you and me to change the world that we live in for His glory.

    So please, find biblical community. It isn’t easy. It isn’t always fun. But it is real. It’s authentic. It’s biblical. It is the catalyst that brings about change in us and the community around us. It’s a fight. No one likes to call people out or be called out but it is necessary.

    It is worth it.