We are living in a world experiencing social change like never before. Globalisation and social media are significantly expanding our world – we can laugh at the same meme as a young adult in Nepal, we can walk down the street and enjoy a meal from Columbia, while we watch in real time as people fleeing Syria tweet their fear. We are connected to multiple cultures, societies and people like never before.
But are we also becoming increasingly disconnected? Social isolation and exclusion are very real experiences for many Australians. Yet, at a time when countless people are looking for connection, friendship and belonging, many churches are shrinking.
When our lives are transformed by God’s love, we, as individuals and a church, are then called to participate in God’s mission to reveal his Kingdom on earth. That means not only loving God but also loving our neighbours.
When Jesus was asked which is the most important Commandment he replied:
“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and your entire mind” the second commandment is equally important: “love your neighbour as yourself”
So at its core, mission is simply to love God and love others – that’s how we obey God and join his mission to extend his kingdom on earth.
But have we forgotten the second commandment? As we just read, Jesus said the second commandment is as important as the first. They are intrinsically connected: we cannot love God without loving others (and vice versa) - when we love others we love God.
David Bosch in his highly acclaimed book Transforming Mission wrote: “Mission is thereby seen as a movement from God to the world; the church is viewed as an instrument for that mission. There is church because there is mission, not vice versa. To participate in mission to participate in the movement of God’s love towards people, since God is a fountain of sending love”.
Included in this pack are resources designed to deepen understanding of mission. We have put together resources for meetings, a list of educational resources for those who want to go deeper and an opinion piece. If you have any questions regarding the content of this pack please contact Just Salvos at
Below is a list of resources that can be used within a church service.
· Prayer
We have put together a prayer that can be used within a church service. To download this prayer, click here or visit www.justsalvos.com and head to resources/prayer resources.
· Prayer Activity
We have also put together a prayer activity that encourages people to consider where God is at work in their neighbourhood. It is available at the end of this document.
· Videos
These short videos discuss the mission of the Church.
o What is the Church? Watch here.
o Whole Church, Whole Gospel, Whole World. Watch here.
o What is Church? Watch here.
o Missional Community – Simple. Watch here.
o The Missional Church – Simple. Watch here.
· Sermon Outline
A sermon outline on God’s Mission has been prepared by Captain Peter Hobbs. It is available here. Or visit www.justsalvos.com and head to resources/sermon outlines
· The SURRENDER Toolkit is an entry level resource for individuals, groups and churches looking to move from interest to action – to personally engage in Christ’s mission among the poor. Download here: http://surrender.org.au/surrendertoolkit/
· Book: God Next Door. Simon Carey Holt. In this book, Simon discusses the role of the neighbourhood and our role as neighbours in ushering in God’s Kingdom.
· Book: Irresistible Revolution. Shane Claiborne discusses how we can use our faith in radical ways to bring change to those around us.
· Check out the “Whole World Mobilising” campaign. It’s run by International Headquarters and is designed to encourage people to engage in mission, ministry and service. More information here: https://mobilising.salvationarmy.org
Here are nine suggested activities that a corps or faith community can do to engage in their neighbourhood.
1. Schedule a regular prayer walk in your neighbourhood
2. Meet with your local council, your local member, and community organisations to discuss the needs of your neighbourhood
3. Partner with the local school, churches and community groups when meeting the needs of your neighbourhood
4. Get involved in community celebrations and events. For example, times of mourning or festivals
5. Target one specific group where you can build relationships
6. Use your natural networks to build relationships. For example, kids at school, or your local café
7. Get to know your neighbours
8. For the extraverts - host a street party
9. Offer to help a community group outside The Salvation Army
By Amanda Merrett
Roughly 15 years ago I returned from my first big church conference. Myself and seven others had travelled down in a bus from Darwin. Having grown up in the church, this conference was particularly foundational in reigniting my faith. I remember returning home and agonising over a simple question many have wrestled with at one point or another: “God, what is your plan for my life”? Like many of us - I’m sure - I was desperate for some kind of “divine message” that would reveal what direction I should take my life.
Like many millennials, (the curse of Gen-Y, I guess), I grew up being fairly consistently told that God had a plan for my life; that I was special; that God was going to do great things in my life. The concern with this line of thinking is that is it very individualistic – it put me in the centre of God’s will, instead of God being in the centre of my life. Ultimately, it made my time on earth about me, instead of others and the Kingdom of God.
Thankfully, since that conference the way I understand of God’s call on my life has significantly changed. Through many different lessons and experiences over the years, there has been paradigm shift regarding ‘God’s calling’ on my life, prompted by the question “am I loving my neighbours”? This has led me to engage in the world around me in a very different way.
Matthew 22:36-40 clearly outlines ‘The Greatest Commandment’ - to love God and love our neighbour - this is a theme that recurs throughout the Bible. Loving God is intimately linked to how we love people in our communities and neighbourhoods. What if “love God, love others” is the ultimate plan for our lives?
In his book, ‘God Next Door’ Simone Holt breaks down biblical concepts of neighbour - “…the laws of neighbourliness are not primarily about nurturing close and intimate friendships among neighbours. Rather they have to do with fostering neighbourhoods in which every resident is treated with dignity, respect and compassion” [1]. In our western and individualistic culture, I wonder if we become so obsessed with self and finding God’s calling for our lives that we have forgotten to look out our front doors? As a teenager I was so consumed with finding God’s will for my life that I missed the opportunities to engage in God’s Kingdom that were right in front of me.
I was at house party at the beginning of the year and many of the conversations I had centred on the question, “so what does this year look like for you”? I was surprised by how many people did not know what to do next and were just waiting for what was next - waiting for God to reveal the plan for their lives. For some, there are definitely seasons in our lives where we wait on God and seasons where God provides specific direction. But God also says to us, “Get on with it! Join me in my Kingdom work”. This Kingdom work is encapsulated in loving our neighbours. The commandment asks us to look around and see where people need God’s love. How can we join God in promoting dignity, empathy and kindness for people?
Take an A3 sheet of paper. In the centre write the words, “Kingdom of God.” Now draw any images, symbols, words or pictures that represent the Kingdom of God to you.
Some bible verses you might like to read to help you:
· 1 Samuel 2:8
· Psalm 147:14
· Isaiah 58:6-12 (William Booth called this passage, A charter for The Salvation Army)
· Luke 4:16-21
· Luke 19:13-14
· Isaiah 2:4
· Isaiah 1:16-17
Take a map of your local community and glue it in the middle of an A3 piece of paper.
Where do you see the Kingdom of God breaking into your community? Draw or describe what the Kingdom looks like.
If the Kingdom of God came to your community, what would it look like? What would change? What would remain the same? Draw images, symbols and words around the map.
Take some time to consider how you can you assist your corps in bringing God’s Kingdom to your community.
[1] Holt, S 2010 ‘God Next Door: Spirituality and Mission in the Neighbourhood’ Acord Press, Australia.