Hello Gloria Dei,
Back in 2002 the author and pastor, Rick Warren, published his best-selling book “The Purpose Driven Life”. Many congregations used this book within Bible Studies and Small Group opportunities, including the church I served back then.
What you may not know is that the same author, Rick Warren, published another book, seven years earlier, called “The Purpose Driven Church”.
As I began my calling as a Mission Developer Pastor in the mid 1990’s, planning a Lutheran Church in Scottsdale, Arizona, a friend and synod staff member gave me a copy of “The Purpose Driven Church.” It was very helpful back then and continues to be helpful in my ministry even today.
While Pastor Rick Warren and his Saddleback Church don’t share the exact theology of we Lutherans, what I appreciate about his “Purpose Driven Church” book is its emphasis on both Christ’s Great Commandment and Christ’s Great Commission.
Jesus’ Great Commandment says: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” –Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus’ Great Commission says: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded them.” –Matthew 28:19-20
Our denomination, the ELCA, is one of many mainline denominations. In my opinion the mainline churches do a superb job in following Christ’s Great Commandment to love God and love neighbor. Feeding the hungry, loving those on the fringe of society, caring for families, welcoming strangers, responding to victims of natural disasters, and the list goes on. We can be proud of this, and we are called and equipped to continue and increase our efforts in this all-important ministry in the name of Jesus.
Regarding the Great Commission, this is where mainline churches may be lacking a bit. It is no secret that mainline denominations have been shrinking and losing members for quite some time. And while it is true that disciples of Jesus, as mentioned in the Great Commission, are the ones who carry out the above-mentioned Great Commandment to love God and others, the efforts in evangelism and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with friends and neighbors has at times been lacking.
Let me say that we need to always keep in mind that both Christ’s Great Commandment and Great Commission are important and essential. We as a congregation don’t need to choose one over the other. We are chosen and equipped by the Holy Spirit to fulfill our call to love one another and to reach out in sharing the good news.
I want to commend all of you, the members and friends of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Through you, both the Great Commandment and the Great Commission are being accomplished.
As for the Great Commandment, there are so many outreach ministries happening through Gloria Dei. I can’t list them all here. But we are working to do an even better job sharing these remarkable stories that maybe you don’t hear about often enough. But your care and love of neighbor is taking place both locally and globally. Thank you.
As for the Great Commission, you are doing a remarkable job in inviting your friends, family, and neighbors to come and meet Jesus here at Gloria Dei. This weekend we will be welcoming over 80 new members. We are on track to meet or exceed the 81 baptisms that took place at Gloria Dei last year. Later this month, over a two-week period, over 80 young people will affirm their faith in God through the rite of Confirmation. All of us are growing in our walk with Christ and the evangelism efforts happening because of you is fun to see. Thank you.
Of course, Jesus is the one who builds the church. Jesus is the head of the church. It is the Holy Spirit who gives the gift of faith and enables the church to keep moving forward.
Yet, I say all of this as a simple reminder of a phrase Rick Warren coined in his “Purpose Driven Church” book: “A Great Commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission will grow a Great Church.”
Inspired by the Spirit, let’s keep it up, Gloria Dei. For this weekend’s worship please read Luke 17:11-19. And a reminder that we are having a congregational meeting to vote on Pastor Chris being called to the Executive Pastor position.
See you in worship,
Pastor Tim
