Assignments

We learn about assignments while in school. The teacher says, "Class, your assignment for tomorrow is to read pages 14-26 in your textbook. Come to class ready to discuss the information." Not only is school assignment-based but life in general is an assignment. God places us on earth to complete a pre-ordained assignment and when we complete our assignment, we graduate. This perhaps sounds like an oversimplification but I think Scripture supports such a premise. Even our Savior was assignment-driven. Jesus came to save a lost and broken world. 1 Timothy 1:15 says, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief."

I often think about the earthly ministry, the assignment, of John the Baptist. He was Jesus' first cousin and his assignment was to be the forerunner of the Messiah. His calling, if you please, was to point others to the ministry of Jesus. To make Jesus known! That's ours, too! His marching orders from the throne were clearly stated by the prophet Isaiah 700 years before he and Jesus were born: "A voice is calling, 'Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness; make smooth in the desert a highway for our God" (Isaiah 40:3). John was to be that voice, and his assignment was to allow Jesus to outshine him!

The apostle Paul received his assignment after his Damascus Road encounter. He would spend his life preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles. In Acts 10:15-16, we read, "But the Lord said to him, 'Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings, and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name's sake."

His second, most wonderful achievement (assignment) was to write two-thirds of our New Testament. Thank God he completed that assignment, as we now have the infallible, inerrant, all-authoritative Word of God in our possession. The Bible is still the world's best-seller!

What are examples of other biblical assignments?

1. Noah and the Ark: God tasked Noah with building an ark to save his family and a pair of every animal from a worldwide flood. This was a challenging assignment requiring immense faith and obedience in the face of ridicule from others. "Then God said to Noah, "the end of all flesh has come before me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth. Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood; you shall make the ark with rooms, and shall cover it inside and out with pitch" (Genesis 6:13-14).
2. Abraham's Journey and the Covenant: God called Abraham to leave his home and travel to a new land that He would show him. This journey initiated God's covenant with Abraham, promising him numerous descendants and the land of Canaan. Abraham's faithfulness in obeying this call is a key theme in his story. "Now the Lord said to Abram, 'Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father's house, to the land which I will show you, and I will make you a great nation…" (Genesis 12:1-2)
3. Moses and the Exodus: Moses was given the monumental task of leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and guiding them towards the Promised Land. This involved numerous interactions with Pharaoh, the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, and leading the people through the wilderness. "Now, behold, the cry of the sons of Israel has come to Me; furthermore, I have seen the oppression from which the Egyptians are opposing them. Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh…" (Exodus 3:9-10.)
4. The Prophets and Their Messages: Throughout the Old Testament, prophets were called to speak God's word to the people, exposing their sin, calling them to repentance, and announcing God's judgment and hope. The prophets of old foretold those things that were to come; today's prophets forthtell that which has already been revealed. Surely you must understand that the role of the prophet has been altered somewhat.
5. The Disciples and the Great Commission: Jesus commissioned his disciples to spread the Gospel throughout the world, making disciples of all nations. This was a significant assignment that continues to be fulfilled by believers today.
6. The Apostle Paul's Missionary Journeys: Paul was called to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles, traveling extensively and establishing churches in various regions.
7. Individual Assignments based on Gifts: The Bible teaches that God gives individuals spiritual gifts and assignments within the body of Christ for the building up of the church. This includes roles like apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, and those with gifts of healing, helping, and administration.

These are just a few examples, highlighting the diverse ways God assigns tasks and roles to individuals and groups throughout the Bible. Each assignment, whether grand or seemingly small, is considered sacred and important in God's eyes. There is no such thing as a "lesser" Christian. There's no such thing as a small assignment in the kingdom of God.

Did you know that churches have assignments, as well. That's right. Not only do individual churches have personalities; they have assignments. God places all churches in their given community to bring those who are far from God to new life in Jesus Christ. That is every local church's primary mandate, to win the lost.

Our assignments: If you've taken our Foundations Class, you know what our unique assignments are as a church. We are determined to do everything well. And we understand that we are not called to do everything. For example, someone came to me, wanting to begin a recovery program for alcoholics and other addictions. I was pleased to announce that Eagleville Bible Church has a "Celebration Recovery" program. We often make referrals. Our desire is not to compete with other churches but to complement, to come alongside other ministries.

Jefferson has nine churches. And all of them are called to win this village and beyond to Jesus. In addition, each of the nine churches carry what I refer to as secondary assignments. Covenant Assembly, north of town, for example, carries a healing anointing. If you're available on Thursday evening, check it out! There are all makes and models. And all kinds of emphases on the various aspects of Christian living. And all of them make valuable contributions to the community and to the kingdom of God. To criticize one is to criticize them all. That's why we do well not to compare.

Our personal assignment changed when Lori and I planted Hope Community seven years ago. In our previous five churches, our assignment was to lead each church from one season into the next. We pastored churches that held a long history in the community. Our Elyria church was one-hundred years old! In retrospect, God led us to those congregations to bridge the past to the future. And believe me, it wasn't easy. We met with similar opposition in all five churches. Change either threatens or ignites people, and we encountered resistance along the way.

Hope too has a unique personality and assignment. Please understand that a church's assignment flows from the pastor. God places pastors over local churches and uses the gifts inside them and their personality to identify and direct each local congregation. Lori and I have the gift of teaching, and our calling here has in part led us to exercise our teaching gifts. We also have a mandate on our ministry here to train and raise up leaders. Today's leaders are tomorrow's church. Leadership development ensures perpetuity. Some say, "I work better alone." Then understand, they are not leaders. Effective leaders duplicate themselves, and train others to "replace them!"

Another aspect of our calling has been to love people unconditionally where they are and lovingly direct them to a higher place in God. In other words, we feel a mandate from the throne to help both new and more mature believers identify their gifts, their weaknesses and their broken areas and find higher levels of faith and Christian maturity.

Finally, did you know that as a believer in Jesus, you too have assignments? Succinctly put, God has required both faithfulness and a clean break from the pull of the world. Let me expand my thoughts.

Our greatest hurdle here has been trying to get across the absolute necessity of faithfulness. It doesn't take much for some to stay home on Sundays or pursue lesser pursuits that need to happen after church is over. Some are emotionally-driven. If they don't feel like attending, they stay home. Or, if they get a better offer, church attendance is shelved. It has been difficult to make people understand that unless church attendance becomes a priority, there will always be other things available to fill their Sunday morning time slot. Yes, we are all busy, however, until we make up our mind that church attendance is a top priority, either the enemy or our schedules will always trump the Sunday morning service slot. In short, church attendance is non-negotiable.

Building our relationship with God and our church family takes commitment. And much effort! Nothing else can be allowed to override this all-important truth, especially in a day when most churches have only one service. To forego church attendance and small group opportunities is to bring a death blow to our spiritual growth, support, encouragement, and development. To those who believe that one does not need to go to church to be a Christian, I say, "That's generally true." However, let me add this: If one is a Christian, he will WANT to go to church!

Please note the following heart-rending stats: One-third of the people who call Hope Community "home," attend infrequently. Currently, we have approximately 150 people who call Hope their church. That means that on any given Sunday thirty-three percent of our family misses church. Out of this number, we usually see around 120 (give or take) in weekly attendance. Some attend one Sunday and then miss five or six, or more in a row. In other words, they attend eight Sundays out of 52. I don't have to tell you the havoc this plays on their spiritual growth, connectivity to the body, and their Christian witness.

Honestly, God's people must wake up, quit making excuses, get involved, and become what God has called them to be. The next generation is duly noting our example. Parents who allow their kids to make their own decision regarding church attendance, negate their responsibility as Christians and parents. In our home, church attendance was never optional for the kids. They knew better!

Second, our assignment is to "put the former things behind us." If you've read my blog entitled, "Quit Dating the World," you know what I'm referring to. Serving Jesus Christ requires a clean break from those people, things, activities, habits and attitudes that threaten to pull us back into sin and spiritual complacency.

As your pastor, the culprits I've noted at Hope include holding on to ungodly, toxic relationships; old habits, alcohol, and lesser pursuits that steal our Sunday mornings. I watched as many allow their "broken areas" and struggles to keep them in turmoil, guilt and shame. My recent series entitled, "Healing Our Broken Places," has opened up a can of worms, in the right way! The sad reality here is that we often hear, "We don't feel connected." The answer is simple: Show up! Be faithful. Make and cultivate friendships. "Remain unspotted from the world."