Moving Forward with a Christ-centered Mission

Rev. Ron Hamilton, Conference Minister

I was privileged to share the closing message at the 2022 Annual Gathering.  The message focused on the teaching of Hebrews 12:1-3.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Arthur Rouner shares this in his book, The Congregational Way of Life.

“Look again across the years to the church at Scrooby.  Did they become Congregationalists just because they didn’t like the form and government of the established church?  Not for a minute!  Their concern was for Christ!…To those men and women, the New Testament seemed to be saying that to people who faithfully come together with open and asking hearts the Risen Christ would come.  They believed that the one thing that made it possible for Him to come to them was their common love for Him; that it was His presence among them – and this alone – that made them a church.”

This is the witness of Biblical Congregationalism that goes before us.  We are called to be Christ-centered in all that we are and do for the Lord.

This Scripture calls us to be intensely engaged in faith and ministry.  Like a runner in a race, we are active in ministry and are not sitting on the sidelines.  The needs are too great, and the stakes are too high for us to be passive in our approach to Jesus and the Gospel.

The Biblical teaching also calls us to be deeply devoted to Jesus, His people, and His mission.  We are to “fix our eyes” on Jesus. This involves looking away from other things and focusing our faith on our Lord Jesus.

We certainly live in challenging times.  But the flipside of challenge is opportunity.  God is calling us to “shared life and shared mission” as CCCC pastors and churches to make a difference in our broken and confused world.  We can move forward with a Christ-centered mission.