Pastor’s Note
WHY? WHAT? And WHERE? Those are the questions we want to focus on as a congregation as we seek to continue in the direction God has been moving us for some time.
I. WHY DOES THE CHURCH EXIST? To advance the kingdom of God in our lives, homes, community, and world.
This has been Southwood’s vision statement for several years. For good reason. This is why the Church exists. This is what Christ our king is about, and this is what we are about. If we are not, we might as well close our doors and sleep in on Sunday mornings.
The Scriptures are permeated with the language and concept of the kingdom. Jesus is born as king (Matthew 1:1; 2:1-2); Jesus sets the tone for his ministry from the beginning by saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17); Jesus teaches his disciples to pray “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9-10); and Jesus makes it clear that the kingdom is the first order of business for our lives: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33).
Matthew alone has more than 55 references to the language of the kingdom of God. It is the main thing and the main reason we exist.
II. WHAT ARE WE SEEKING TO ACCOMPLISH? To turn everyone we meet into fully devoted followers of Christ.
In the closing verses of Matthew, Jesus gives his disciples their Great Commission, beginning with his claim to rule as king:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
In these words, Jesus calls us to an outward-facing (missional) model of discipleship. Here Jesus, who paints the broad vision in terms of the kingdom of God, focuses the energies of the disciples on two tasks: turning people to Christ and turning those people into fully devoted followers of Christ. In other words, we are to introduce people to a life in Christ in which they become like Christ. That’s why we have recently adopted the mission statement: To turn everyone we meet into fully devoted followers of Christ. This is our restatement of the Great Commission. And these are the marching orders for the Church. So we better march. Or we better get out of the way and let someone else take our place.
III. WHERE DO WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE? (1) In corporate worship on Sunday, (2) in a Small Group during the week, and (3) purposefully Serving in ways that make a difference in this congregation, in this community, and around the world.
This is how Southwood Presbyterian Church will best advance the kingdom of God and accomplish the mission of our King. And this is why we want every one of our members to participate in each of these three environments (Sunday, Small Groups, and Serving).
It’s time for us as a church to focus; anything that gets in the way of our God-given vision and mission must go.