Healthy, Growing Churches (3)

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” John 20.21

Commentary on the Gospel of John 12.1
Cyril of Alexandria (375-444)
“Christ says that he sent the apostles even as the Father had sent him, that they might fully comprehend their mission: to call sinners to repentance and to minister to those who were caught up in evil, whether of body or soul. In all their dealings on this earth, they were not in any way to follow their own will but the will of him who sent them. They were also called to save the world by their teaching, so far as was possible. And in truth we shall find that holy disciples were eager to show the utmost enthusiasm in performing all these things. It is not difficult for people to see this, if they give their attention to the Acts of the Apostles and the words of the holy Paul.”

The work of shepherds is to equip the saints for works of ministry (Eph. 4.11, 12). Jesus was sent to seek the lost, proclaim and embody the Kingdom, and make disciples. As the Father sent Him, so He sends us. Each of us has a Personal Mission Field to which the Lord sends us day by day, that we might follow in the footsteps of Jesus and bring the Kingdom of God near to the people and places of our lives. As the people of God go out into the world, sent like Jesus, and living the Word of God and hope of glory before the people to whom they are sent, many will respond, and want to learn more about this way of life (cf. Mic. 4.1-8). The work of shepherds is to equip and lead the saints into works of ministry, so that the Body of Christ, dispersed throughout the community, might bring the grace and truth of God to bear on every person and every area of life. If we are effective in casting vision and equipping church members for ministry, they will “show utmost enthusiasm in performing all these things.”

Do the people you serve understand that they are called to a Personal Mission Field, sent like Jesus to seek and advance His Kingdom? How is that evident?

T. M. Moore

Mission Partners Outreach
The work of ministry is what saints are being equipped for, and which they do in the “as-you-are-goings” of their lives. But the flock of the Lord must be equipped for this calling, and Jesus has set shepherds over the flock to do that work. How can we equip the sheep to live for Christ and be His witnesses? Our Mission Partners Outreach provides the resources and framework for making witness-bearing disciples in your church. Want to learn how it works? Watch this brief video, then contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.for more information. I will show you how to make this ministry work in your church.T

he Fellowship of Ailbe is supported through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Quotations from Church Fathers are from the Ancient Christian Commentary Series, published by InterVarsity Press.