Assisting, Not Enlisting

Last week's blog addressed the strategic language rationale for calling our building in Decatur the Mission Center instead of the office. For the next few weeks I want to highlight some of the components on what I refer to as the Mission Wall in the Mission Center. As you enter the front door of the Mission Center and step into the reception area, you would notice a wall to your right with several framed statements. One of them says,

Harvest Baptist Association exists for the purpose of assisting our partner congregations, individually and collectively, in fulfilling the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV), Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

The Mission Wall reinforces the mission of the association. Our partner congregations are called to the Great Commission. The association does not enlist congregations to "help with" or "participate in" association activities. The association exists to assist these congregations in fulfilling their mission. In other words, the organizational methodology is assisting, not enlisting. So, the question of the week is, "How may we assist you in fulfilling you mission?"