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How to be a local missionary for your community

Every Christian is called to be a witness of the person and work of Jesus Christ.  Though not everyone is called to go to some far away land but everyone is called to proclaim the good news exactly where they are because that is exactly where God has placed them at that moment in time.  How faithful we are to God in his calling is what we are accountable for, none the less, we are called and placed for this purpose.  Then how do we be a local missionary for our community?


Our Mindset

How faithful we are as a witness to Jesus Christ depends greatly on our mindset and how we see our purpose where we are at.  The fact that we are all missionaries should make every interaction we have at home, at work, with friends, and being active in our community seen in the light of being missionally purposed. That means, in everything we do or say, we consider how to bring glory to God by loving him and our neighbor just as he loves us- in everything we do.

We work hard at work, so that our quality of work brings God glory.  We serve at home with our families in such a way that God is glorified.  We interact with friends and the community in such away that God receives his due Glory.  We purposefully seek out the end result in all that we do for the Glory of God The Father in heaven through his Son Jesus Christ.

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, love God with all your heart and mind and your neighbor as yourself, and what ever you do, do it for the glory of God (Matthew 6:33, 22:36-40; Proverbs 3:5-6; Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31).  This NEEDS to be our mindset in our daily every day life, everywhere we go, with everyone we interact with.   It if is not already, make it so!

The Work Place

What ever your job is, make your work of the highest quality.  When coworkers, managers, and bosses see your work they will see it worthy of praise.  As you make your faith known, they are able to see WHY you work the way you do.  But is also more than just the quality of work but the quality of your interactions with those at work.  With God IN US, we reflect his characteristics.  We must be caring, kind, compassionate, loving, gracious, forgiving, merciful, right, just, and selfless in EVERYTHING with EVERYONE.  Your true love is how they will KNOW you are a disciple of Jesus Christ (John 13:35) because there is NO greater love than to be willing to give up yourself for a friend (John 15:13).  And WHEN people start to hate you for this, you love them as well! (Matthew 5:43-48).

IF and WHEN coworkers, managers, and bosses inquire about your reason for the work and interactions, you proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ boldly and unashamed (Romans 1:16).  You love because Jesus first love you (1 John 4:19) and gave up his life for you while you were just a sinner (Romans 5:8).  Then, at the end of the day, you go home, and still nothing changes.

Build Relationships

Invite coworkers out after work.  Starbucks, dinner, at lunch, weekend BBQs, or just hangout at home.  Again, just as being at work, your interactions with them after work is missional but more personal.  They get to see that you are not just that way at work but that way because of your faith and in your personal life.  Regardless, the end goal, will ways be to give them a gospel presentation and answer any questions they may have when the time comes.

Community Needs

Various communities have various needs.   Some communities are extremely materialistic and have no real financial concerns.  But lack seeing their fulfillment and contentment beyond wealth.  Some communities are extremely poor and need to see the perfect hope that is in Christ alone.  Some communities are riddled with drugs and may unknowingly need resumption from them.  What ever the communities needs, the church is obligated to meet that need.  It is a REAL and TRUE opportunity to glorify God just as Jesus did during his earthly ministry. 

Get Involved

Get involved in the community.  Not just inviting people to church on Sunday.  That is like doing the bare minimum.  Seek volunteer work on Fridays or Saturdays.  Invite friends or coworkers to take part in the volunteer work opportunities.  Partner with a local ministry or serve organization and serve your neighbors in the community.  As time goes on, you will cross paths with individuals who's greatest need is not food, clothing, or shelter, but the eternal life changing message of the Gospel.

Friendships

As time goes on, living in a community for an extended period of time, friendships will develop.  No different with coworkers or community involvement; we must have the same missional mindset with friendships.  Reflect God's characteristics to them and love them the same.  Invite them to Starbucks, dinner, at lunch, weekend BBQs, or just hangout at home regularly.  Be involved in their life but also make them part of your life.  ALL with the hopes and goal of presenting the gospel message to them. 

Resources

If you have a big passenger car, offer rides.  Spark spiritual conversations with them as you drive them where they need to go. If you have a house, open its doors and have them over for dinner, watch football, BBQ or host a movie night.  If you have money, surprise them with gifts, pay for their meals, or aid them in any financial need they may have.  Having a missional mindset with all that you have is having the understanding that all that you have, is actually God's (Psalm 24:1); that it was all given to you so that you can glorify him with it.

Involve Your Local Church

Start a prayer chain with people from your church for all those who you have interacted with and ask God continually for more opportunities to proclaim his good news.  Invite Christian friends and family members to pray with you about people you meet and opportunities in the future.  Make a list of people who you are not sure know the gospel or have heard the gospel, and make it a goal to check them off as you present the gospel to them.  Help organize events with your church to invite coworkers and new friends too.  Enlist your church in your missional efforts to glorify God.

Weight of the Task

It is and will be hard.  We will be filled with doubt and insecurity.  We will feel vulnerable at times and some may even hurt our feelings and gossip about us.  But understanding Jesus' prayer on the cross explains this:  "Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34).  Consider the gravity of what Jesus is saying here.  He is nailed to the cross by them.  His back has been ripped open from being whipped by them.  They beat him, spit at him, and shout obscenities at him.  YET, he asks God to forgive them BECAUSE, they do not know what they are doing.  They are victims of their slavery to their sins (Romans 6:20).  They do not know it but their sin is their master (John 8:34) and are blinded by it (2 Corinthians 4:4).  And regardless of their actions toward us, we are called to be forgiving, loving, and gracious all the more.  It is this amazing grace that breaks down hard hearts to ask WHY.  How can anyone remain so forgiving, loving, and gracious in the face of horrible treatment they ask.  Your answer, is always missional, because it is faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ that allows us to remain so.

THIS MOMENT

What can you do at this very moment?  Re-read the mindset section above.  Study the verses and get your mind right.  Take captive EVERY thought and MAKE it obedient to Christ! (2 Corinthians 10:5).  Ask your self, right now, 'How can I be missional focused at work, at home, with friends, and in my community?'.  Write up a list of coworkers, friends, and family to pray for AND to present the gospel to.  If you are not secure in your knowledge of the gospel, READ IT, KNOW IT because IT is what saves!  Then as the days go on, be alert for opportunities to talk to people, invite people, plan events, and purposefully spark spiritual conversations with the hopes of proclaiming the gospel. Google local charities and volunteer opportunities.  Email the listed contacts and START the conversations to get involved.  Be faithful to the Lord at THIS moment and be missional in every moment that God has placed you exactly where you are today and right now!  Jesus Christ openly and publicly allowed people to shame him, ridicule him, humiliate him, spit at him, beat him, whip him, and ultimately kill him... for you.  What are you willing to do for him?  Because in the end, our faith compels us to serve the Lord.  The Holy Spirit through James said it directly "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:14-26).  Is your faith dead and useless?  LIVE your faith! LIVE for Christ and proclaim the greatest message to the world!

Read The Absolute Greatest Message To Tell Everyone

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