No Lone Rangers

In a recent conversation, someone described to me the strategy of Christian mission: make disciples who will go on mission and as they go, they form communities. It occurs to me this should hold true in all our ministry effort. Disciples are to go on mission and as they go, they form communities who partner with them in mission.

One thing is obvious: there is no room for lone rangers in this equation. Jesus provided the model himself. He came into the world, went on his mission and formed a community around the mission and together they changed the world. If God in the flesh would not go it alone, then why in the world should we even try this thing called mission and ministry by ourselves?

All mission teams, ministry teams in churches, or small groups should have this same three-legged approach. This is especially true of the short term mission group. Without a common mission, the team falls apart. If the team is not made up of disciples, the mission falls apart. If the team operates like a bunch of individuals who just happen to be at the same place during the same time, the mission falls apart.

It is essential, then, for all short-term mission teams to build community. Community requires hard work. From the leader it requires constant communication, regular meeting times, a clear agenda and conception of the mission, and a sensitivity to the concerns and needs of the individual team members.

From the team member, community requires a commitment to each other–a commitment that says, “Even if my needs are not being met, I will seek out the higher good of the others because it is not about me, it’s about the mission and about the community.” Far too often we are tempted when things become difficult to say “This isn’t fun anymore” and quit. But that is not an option for a disciple of Christ, nor is it the option for someone committed to a mission.

There is another strategy to consider: “How do we form community? I have a group ready to go on mission–but they are not really a functioning community.” Here’s what one person described to me as the “perennial Christian strategy” for community. (Are you ready? It’s pretty complicated!)

“Gather the people, break bread, tell the stories, serve together.”

I won’t elaborate on that. Instead I leave it with you to contemplate.

If you work on a mission team, a church staff, eldership, ministry group, or even a church small group ask yourself: “Are we disciples? Are we forming this community? Are we serving together?”

Think about it.