For the first time in the history of planet earth, the Christian church is a truly global phenomenon. And it is not barely global, either. Approximately one out of five of our Christian family is an Asian sister or brother. Our African family will soon represent one out of four among us. Another one out of five is Latin American – not to mention our family in the South Pacific and those that remain in the West.
For the first time in history, the Christian cause is a truly global endeavor, as well. The World Mission Prayer League makes its headquarters in Minneapolis and Camrose: these are our North American hubs. But thriving missionary “hubs” are found today in southern lands and eastern lands, as well. For most of the modern era, a “typical” missionary looked rather like me: middle-aged (and aging), northern-latitude, Scandinavian. A “typical” missionary today, however, is more likely to come from southern latitudes. She is more likely to speak Spanish than English. He is more likely to eat ugali than lefse.
In light of changes as dramatic as these, a friend of mine recently wondered aloud, “Why continue to serve?” Perhaps “hubs” like ours in Minneapolis and Camrose have simply had their day. We have fought the fight and run the race. Maybe now we should go home.
I can understand my friend’s question. But it is easy to answer.
The command of God remains, for one thing. We are to make disciples of all nations, Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:18-20). And we will not find a caveat or conditioner, try as we might. Wherever we go in all the world, the people of God are called – permanently – to make disciples.
The unreached remain, as well. The church has become truly global, it is true. Yet there remain many, many disciples to be made. It is estimated that one out of three of our entire human family, approximately, remains unevangelized. They have yet to receive a meaningful opportunity to respond to the Good News of Jesus.
There is the wonderful promise, too: this remains secure. “I am with you always,” Jesus assured us (Matthew 28:20). I do not mean that we should serve in order to enjoy the promise of Christ’s presence. Yet when we serve, wherever we serve, the promise of Jesus applies.
And there is, perhaps, a more fundamental reason to remain in service to the mission of God. The mission of God is basic to our DNA. It is part of who we are. When God made us believers, by grace through faith, he made us by grace into missionaries.
This may not seem entirely obvious. But it will not be due to unclear or insufficient biblical evidence. The Bible is perfectly clear: the people of God are the result of the mission of God, and swept into its cause. Consider, for example, Paul’s famous declaration in 2 Corinthians 5 – the one that concludes, “So we are ambassadors for Christ” (v.20). Paul’s missionary conclusion is based upon the irresistible missionary logic that precedes it. “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation” (v.18). This is why we serve: it is basic to our DNA. The reconciled are made reconcilers. The redeemed are made ambassadors. We do not exist for ourselves, as it turns out. Christians exist for mission.
If this seems less than obvious, somehow, it will be due to the biases we bring to our reading of the texts. Here in the West we suspect at some level that we do exist for ourselves, for one thing. We believe that human beings are created to be independent, self-reliant, rugged individualists. Existing for anybody other than ourselves somehow offends us. Even existing for God.
But our DNA is clear, in spite of our cultural biases. Asking a Christian “Why serve?” is rather like asking a plant “Why grow?” or a child “Why eat? Why giggle? Why speak?” We are born to some things, as it turns out. Christians are born to the mission of God.