In all three paradigms, the focus of mission is “salvation,” but the frontier where that mission is carried out shifts. Our task has always been to reveal God’s gracious offer of salvation to the lost. The point where that saving truth of God’s love is revealed has shifted according to where the church felt they were called to do mission work.
The point of revealing in the first,or Apostolic Paradigm, was where Christians were willing to venture forth into a hostile world at great risk to themselves in order “to care for the sick, the prisoner and the widow, the fatherless and the poor.” (Ibid p. 9ff) Because they believed that they were sent as evangelists by God, they went forth in the power of the Spirit. The point of revealing in the second, or Christendom Paradigm, was where missionaries went forth into foreign lands to convert pagans to the faith. (Ibid p. 13ff)
I believe that the point of revealing in the third paradigm is in the center of the congregation where people experience the continuing saving power of the gospel fleshed out in their lives together. The walls of this community will indeed be permeable because as members experience salvation within those walls, that experience will flow out into service to those in need beyond those walls and they will also invite all who wish to flow back through those walls to experience salvation for themselves.
The missionary witness begins where the fruits of the Spirit are made visible in the community. Paul’s commission to the Romans is also our first priority in mission: “Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.” (Romans 12:9-13)
When a church fleshes out the gospel in the dynamics of their lives together, they will be conveying a powerful message to a hurting world. Unfortunately, when we spit and scratch, fight and squabble, as seems so apparent in our current struggles, how are we any different than any other group in the world?
