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Anyone who has served in the United States Army is familiar with an operations order. It is a formal, structured declaration of instructions for the execution of a given mission. Every planned battle is preceded by a written and an oral dissemination of the Operations Order. The following is an Operations Order for the Great Commission.
MISSIONS OP ORDER{mos_sb_discuss:6}
1. SITUATION
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12). Half the
people in the world do not know a Christian who speaks their language, eats their food, or wears their
clothes. The church does not exist within their culture.
2. MISSION
" Go ye therefore, and teach all nations" (Matthew 28:19). Create and maintain the "kingdom of God"
within every existing linguistic and ethnic context.
3. EXECUTION
"As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you" (John 20:21). Incarnate the church in a new context
the way God incarnated Himself, by the power of the Holy Spirit with the participation (prayer and
sacrifice) of God's people.
4. SERVICE & SUPPORT
"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of
whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach,
except they be sent" (Romans 10:14-15)? Local churches send resources of people, money, and prayer
so that someone can live and minister within an un- reached culture. Agencies providing support (Bible
translations, Gospel recordings, radio broadcasts, medical assistance, famine relief, etc.) enhance
effectiveness. Other organizations (Adopt-a-People Clearing House, the ECFA, this outfit, etc.) contribute
by serving the resource base, sending agencies, and support agencies.
5. COMMAND & SIGNAL
"…and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew
16:18). Jesus is the Commander-In-Chief. His followers act on His word and in His name. Though
diverse, they unite to accomplish the mission. Each one contributes according to his or her abilities and
circumstances. |
