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Declare your mission – and then live it!
~ Tom Welch
This morning I visited our health care provider because Melodee, the joy of my eyes for these past 30 years, was sick. As we went to the lab to get her blood tests done I noticed this sign, “Our Mission: healthy patients.” How simple, how measurable, how clear!
What are we living for? Jesus-followers have a completely different set of values and purposes than a world-follower. We, as Eagle Leaders, step it up one more notch. Our mission, our life purpose, is to fulfill the command of Jesus … ‘As the father has sent me, so I send you.’ In the face of opposition and hostility, the mission remains the same.
God has called us to a simple mission as well: “Make Disciples!” When we choose to move people into a personal, disciplined relationship with Jesus Christ as King of their lives you can be sure there will opposition. Jesus encourages us to keep our eyes on the prize and not be pulled away by our adversaries …
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Matthew 10:16-26 (NKJV)
We become like Jesus when …
o We endure until the end!
Eagle leaders understand there is a simple mission … make disciples. We pour our lives into this process and, when confronted by those who would object, subject, disagree and detain us from our mission, we simple leave that place, move on and keep focused on the mission.
Such is the persistence of the Eagle Leader … the mission of Jesus! Day in and day out, whether applauded or attacked, the next generation will never advance for Christ without our singleness of mind. Churches are built upon disciples, not attendees. Families are stable and strong because of Godly disciples as parents, not politically correct socialites.
The mission … make disciples! Be an Eagle Leader this week.
© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith
Dr. Matthew Lee Smith interviews Eric Michael Bryant who serves as an elder, speaker, and navigator overseeing the leadership team at Mosaic in Los Angeles. This interview explores what makes this church, which is 70-75% are single, average age is 28 years of age, made up of hundreds of people in seven locations, six in the greater Los Angeles area. Discover the transferable concepts that Mosaic uses to reach this younger generation. Listen to this interview for your opportunity to win a free gift courtesy of Eric!
Starting as a volunteer in the parking lot at Mosaic, Eric later worked with students and then helped catalyze new venues across Los Angeles. He also teaches at the Southern California campus of Golden Gate Seminary and is working on his Doctorate of Ministry with Bethel Seminary. A sought-after speaker, Eric is one of the co-authors of The Uprising Experience, a workbook developed for Promise Keepers based on Erwin McManus’ book Uprising: A Revolution of the Soul, and has written several articles for Group and Relevant Leader magazines. His book, Peppermint-Filled Piñatas: Breaking Through Tolerance and Embracing Love, was published with Zondervan in June 2007. Eric lives with his wife, Debbie, and two children, Caleb and Trevi in the middle of Los Angeles County.
