Who can you reach in your community?
Evangelism sits within the framework of reconciliation, says Elim's UK Missions Training Co-ordinator, Danielle Face.
The last few years have seen the world increasingly divided by conflict and differing opinions: those receiving the Covid-19 vaccine and anti-vaxxers; Republicans and Democrats; Conservative and Labour; Brexiteers and Remainers.
Social media algorithms polarise what we see and who we interact with, so in this culture of division, how do we as the church reach out to evangelise?
Could reconciliation be a helpful framework for transforming how we evangelise within our own communities and across the world?
The Bible makes it clear that Christian missions need to be understood within the framework of reconciliation: reconciliation with God, ourselves, the church and with those who are yet to accept the gospel.
The term reconciliation only occurs 14 times in the New Testament, yet the Bible repeatedly affirms it as the focus of God’s mission.
Reconciliation between God and creation is framed by Genesis 3:14-17 to Revelation 22:1-2, as humanity seeks to live in peace but fails to do so without God.
Sin corrupted the relational dynamics between God, humanity and creation, yet God continually seeks reconciliation by walking alongside the sinner.
Jesus’ entire ministry demonstrates the importance of reconciliation as God himself is clearly present during the restoration, healing and reconciliation process.
Peace-making within Christian missions is not just seeking an absence of conflict, but instead seeking authentic unity.
Paul’s primary mission was to inspire reconciling communities of Christ that became ambassadors who demonstrate and proclaim God’s reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:11-21):
• Vertical – God reconciles sinful humanity to himself through Christ (Romans 5:1-11)
• Horizontal – between humanity (Ephesians 2:12-20)
• Cosmic – Christ reconciles all universal powers and spirits to himself, realised at the end of time (Ephesians 1:10 and Colossians 1:19-20)
• Internal – which also affects how we then relate to ourselves and others (Romans 2:13).
Reconciliation can be understood as a journey that is both the process and the goal of Christian missions. When we have encountered God and been transformed, it is our responsibility to reach out to others in a broken world so that they too can experience reconciliation with God, and then with others and creation.
The Holy Spirit empowers us to become ministers of reconciliation, as God’s ambassadors.
It can be as simple as starting a dialogue with those you don’t know or who have different views to your own. It could be seeking to restore or start a relationship with the hope that through conversation you can exemplify a life united with Christ and lead others to start their own journey of reconciliation.
Elim Missions therefore seeks to remain distinct from humanitarian conflict resolution agencies, as Christianity offers a unique gift of transforming and engaging with the world’s brokenness.
This means that evangelism can sit within the framework of reconciliation, by proclaiming Jesus as the embodiment of reconciliation within society.
This is not just a mission for the few who have moved overseas, this is a mission that starts wherever you are.
Who can you reach in your community?
Could God be calling you further afield to share this message with those who have never heard that there is an amazing God who sent his Son so that they may be reconciled?
This is the message we have the honour of sharing, and it is our joy at Elim Missions to partner with you, your church and with the Holy Spirit to be God’s ambassadors globally.
This article was first published in the February 2022 issue of Direction, Elim’s monthly magazine. Subscribe now to get Direction delivered to your home.
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