Mission vs. Calling vs. Ministry

Mission: John 17:15-18, Matt 28:18-20

Jesus defined the Mission for His Church. Nobody has their own, private Mission.

• Mission is why we’re here
• Mission is Jesus’ purpose for His Church on earth
• Mission is the reason salvation and rapture aren’t simultaneous
• Mission is Corporate, not individual
• Our Mission is to Redeem the lost
• Our Mission is to Restore the broken
• Our Mission is to build transformational communities

Calling: Romans 11:29, Eph 4:1-16

Your calling is as unique as your fingerprint. Christ gave you unique gifts, talents, and affinities to fulfill His mission. But Calling requires death to our own “best self”, as Christ redeems our personalities, and His Life grows and bears fruit to fulfill His Mission.

• Calling is who you are
• Calling is an expression of The Mission
• Calling is God’s work in the world, thru your unique gifts, talents, and abilities
• Calling is the context in which you fulfill Christ’s mission

Ministry: Acts 26:13-18, Luke 4:16-21, John 14:11-12

Ministry is not forever – it has a beginning and an end. It carries The Mission into a particular context, thru your unique Calling. When Ministry is esteemed over Mission or Calling, we either avoid it, or perpetuate it way past it’s natural expiration.

• Ministry is something you do
• Ministry is an open door to be who you are in a particular context
• Ministry is one expression of your unique calling
• Ministry is typically just for a time
• Ministry is your relationship with God, on public display