Missional Thought of the Day - The Link Between Mission and Worship

John Piper begins his book, Let the Nations Be Glad, with the statement, "Missions exists because worship doesn't."

In his new book, The Mission of God's People, Christopher Wright has a chapter on worship and its relation to mission. He echoes Piper, stating that "the goal of all our mission is the worship and glory of the one true living God." He then defines both God's mission and our own:

"The mission of God, therefore, is that dynamic divine love that drives God to seek the ultimate well-being and blessing of human beings by bringing them into a relationship with himself in which they love, worship, and glorify him, and find their greatest joy in doing so. So also the mission of God's people is to be agents of that redemptive love of God. We live to bring others to worship and glorify the living God, for that is where they will find their greatest and eternal fulfillment and joy." (p. 245)

i like this definition of mission by Wright, as it makes a distinction between mission and worship. On a practical level, unfortunately, when you say that worship is your mission, you never get to mission. Mission must continue to be outward in focus and concentrate on redemptive acts and on bringing others into a redemptive relationship with God.

However, there is a secondary sense in which worship is "missional." First, our redemptive acts and service in the world bring praise and glory to God. Second, the worship of God's people in the assembly testifies to God's redemption and provides an evangelistic witness to the world. This is why both historical (Passover, cross, etc.) and modern day acts of redemption (baptisms, service in the community, etc.) ought to be emphasized in worship. This is "missional worship." And, reminded and inspired by these redemptive acts, the church goes from this celebration and proclamation strengthened in their commitment to the mission. Remember, the Great Commission was given when the disciples were worshipping Jesus (Mt. 28:18-20).

What do you see as the link between mission and worship? What do you think of this definition of missional worship?

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Comment by James Nored on September 14, 2010 at 1:05am
By the way, here are a couple of reviews of Wright's book.

Scot McKnight's Review.

Wes Lugt's Review

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