Cross-shaped mission (statements)

Like a schoolboy’s shirt, it always comes out.

What we believe deep down always bubbles to the surface, whether in an idle word or in the way we behave. In particular, what we believe theologically will inevitably be expressed not only through what we say but in how we do things. And when we behave inconsistently with our stated convictions, it reveals the struggle that goes on within all of us below the surface—the struggle to believe the truth.

In the afternoon sessions of Nexus 2015, four different speakers explored how the theology of the cross we (supposedly deeply) hold should come out in our ministries. Pete Tong talked about how we often use worldly rather than cross-driven motivations to recruit people to serve alongside us in ministry; Matthew Meek shared how our convictions about the cross should drive a willingness to be personally self-sacrificial for the sake of evangelizing the nations with the unchanging gospel; Kara Hartley explored how the cross re-shapes the way we think about self-esteem and priorities in ministry; and Chris Braga (in the video below) talked about what the centrality of the cross might mean for our public communications.

Chris’s talk touched on the reality of modern communications. We all want to present our mission and our message compellingly to the community around us—and these days most churches and Christian organizations have mottos, mission statements, taglines and so on that seek to do this (not to mention websites, welcome videos, and Facebook pages). But what does it say about us (and our message) when the cross of Christ doesn’t figure in our public profile?

I found Chris’s observations and encouragements very thought-provoking. I hope you do too.