SHAKING THE EARTH: Readiness and
Preparation for Mission
By Mike Ruhl
On
Tuesday, July 29th, the earth shook in southern California.
The
earthquake measured somewhere between 5.4 and 5.8 on the Richter Scale. By the
grace of God, there was no loss of human life and structural damage to dwellings
and larger buildings was marginal. But the earth shook.
The
telephone rang with messages from loved ones in the Midwest,
inquiring about our safety and well-being, as the news of the earthquake was
picked up and broadcast by national news agencies.
All of
the local television stations were buzzing with speculation about "the big
one" - a catastrophic earthquake that some are predicting will shake a
significant share of the California
landscape and population. Both scientists and politicians were analyzing the readiness of social structures to
respond to the needs of people who could be caught in such a crisis. Most of
them sounded grateful for the apparent call
to readiness and the renewed interest in preparation for rescuing people
who could be caught in a terrifying disaster.
Not too
long ago, church leaders were wrestling with identifying an energizing name for
a global mission movement. They searched for a biblical word or catchphrase
that would cast a powerful vision of an entire church body where every believer
and congregation would be engaged in reaching the lost. That mission movement
would be energized by the power of the Word and the Holy Spirit, as the good news of Jesus Christ found its way to millions of
spiritually disconnected people through
witnessing, the planting of new churches, and the mission-revitalization of
existing churches. That
mission movement finally was given the name Ablaze!. But fewer people
are aware that prior to 2003, Shake the Earth! was also given serious
consideration.
One is
reminded of the words of the prophet Haggai, as he wrote to call the people to
complete the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem: "This is what the Lord
almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the
earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and the desired of
all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the Lord
Almighty." (Haggai 2:6-7)
There is
no doubt that our Gracious God wants His house to be filled with people who
worship Him in spirit and in truth - and to repent of their sins and receive
salvation in Jesus Christ. In fact, our God is so passionate about reaching
people with the good news of Jesus Christ, that he will shake the earth - and even (especially) the church - in order to
encourage its readiness and preparation to engage the lost world in mission.
Together
let us celebrate the gifts of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, for these
gifts encourage and empower believers to stand firm and to spring into
missionary action - even when both the earth and the church are being shaken.
Awake, my soul, and with the sun
Thy daily stage of duty run;
Shake off dull sloth and joyful rise
To pay thy morning sacrifice
Hymn #536
from The
Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal
Tune: Morning Hymn Public domain
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Links
Missional Bible Studies from the Center for U.S. Missions - scripturally based studies to help you dig into God's Word and hear God's call to be in mission Friendship Ablaze! - tools for churches to help members invite their friends to know Jesus
Ablaze! Official Website |
News from the Center Upcoming Seminars
Daughter Church Planting - September 5-6 - Enfield,
CT - Contact the New England District
for more information
Urban Mission Planter Training - September 26-27 - Minneapolis/St.
Paul, MN - Contact the Minnesota-South District for more information
DOWNTOWN - A publication provided by The Association of Downtown Lutheran Churches, a strategic partner of the Center for U.S. Missions. It is designed to share ideas and encouragement for congregations in or near downtown in urban settings. Click here to subscribe to this newsletter. Certified Mission Coaches
- The Center for U.S. Missions trains and certifies missional coaches.
An explanation of what is required to be a certified missional coach
and contact information for coaches certified through the C4USM
training process.
Ablaze! Covenant Congregation Church Planting Introduction
- The A!CCCP Introduction is a three hour presentation in PowerPoint
format for congregations that have attended the introduction hosted by
their district. It is a resource to be used in the local congregation.
This resource includes a case for church planting, an introduction to The One Plan and a introduction to a church planting process.
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