San Gabriel Valley Christian Church
"MISSION STATEMENT"
Colossians 1:29-29, We proclaim Him [Jesus] admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we many present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I [Paul] labor, striving according to His [spiritual] power, which mightily works within me."
"Complete" Means Items 1-3, Last Paragraph
Ephesians 4:12-13, "Equip... the saints for the work of service, to the building up [spiritually growing] of the body of Christ; until we all 1) attain the unity of the faith, 2) and of the knowledge of the Son of God, 3) to a mature man, to the measure of the saints which belongs to the fullness of Christ."
Explanation...
The Bible uses the words "Call" or "Calling" to describe the "Mission" meaning God's purpose for His church? Thus, a "Mission Statement" explains purpose. Knowing that the Bible uses call or calling meaning mission or purpose helps us identify places in the Bible that states God's purpose for His church
Biblically, the word church means "called out." It refers to the people who have accepted God and Jesus as their saviors who have chosen to follow Their every word - The Bible. Jesus calls all men to do this in Matthew 4:4 which we paraphrase as Living your daily life according to God's every Word results in salvation.
Note that the Bible's word for church translates as "called out" uses the same root word "call" meaning God's purpose. This obvious connection helps us know what and thus where to look. Thus, the Bible reveals God's mission statement for His church is clearly found in Ephesians 4:1-24, Ephesians 4:1 uses both "call" and "calling" to help us focus on God's purpose for his followers. Ephesians 4:1, "Therefore I [Paul], the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called..."
That manner calls us to walk as Jesus walked and is described as... "with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" in Ephesians 4:2-3
That "Unity" is described as "Oneness" in Ephesians 4:4-6
"There is one Body and one Spirit, Just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, Ephesians 4:6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through and in all." Ephesians 4:7-10 describes Jesus' journey that began with Him descending from heaven to earth, dying to save men, and going into "the lower parts of the earth"- called "Sheol" meaning the grave. And then, after His resurrection, that Jesus ascends back into heaven. Jesus led "The Way" to free men who are captives to sin so they could be saved.
All Church Leaders Regardless of their Titles and All Church Members Are called to Do One Thing - The Same Thing...
Ephesians 4:11 "'and he [Jesus] gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelist, and some as pastors and teachers..."
Ephesians 4:1 is saying regardless of your title, station, or position in God's church- whether great or small, weather appointed or not- everyone is called...
Ephesians 4:12, 1) "for the equipping of the saints, 2) for the work of service, 3) to the building up of the body of Christ"
The 1), 2), 3), Means...
Equip each church member (children are members through their parents)
Whose "work" or job or purpose is to serve (as did Jesus - see Matthew 20:20-28) that Service is to spiritually grow (teach, train, build up) each member of the church!
Grow or Build each One How - To What Purpose or End?
Ephesians 4:13, "Until" we all [each one] attain: 1) "to the unity of the faith, 2) and of the knowledge of the Son of God, 3) to a mature man- [meaning]- to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ."
