Kansas District Missions

The Time is Now by Rev. Mark Frith

The Lord Jesus commands us as His Church to make disciples of all nations.  We enjoy and value the opportunity of making disciples of the children born of our Lutheran parents.  However, statistics reveal that a large majority of our LCMS congregations baptize and confirm less than three adults per year.  In general, it seems we Lutherans really struggle with opening ourselves up for making and building relationships with people who are not already Lutheran.  Of course, there are a few Lutherans who are exceptions to that generality. 

With a growing population of unchurched people in Kansas (and other states) and a diminishing LCMS membership overall, it is becoming more obvious that our disciple-making "behaviors" need to change.  St. Paul encouraged Timothy, “to watch your doctrine and life closely…”  Wow, do we watch doctrine closely.  That is a good thing.  Though, how we're doing that today in some ways ought to be challenged.  It is the “life” part that is probably weak or needs some challenging.  Life is about relationships.  First our relationship forded by Christ Jesus.  Then, all the relationships we have with others that God has brought into our lives.  Because Christ first loved us, it is time for us to renew our going out and start loving “the others” again.

We are so accustomed to holding services at the church, putting a sign out in the front yard, calling that a "community welcome invitation," and calling that a fulfilling of the Great Commission.  Our behavior needs to change.  It is time to become incarnational as Christians.  It is time for us to go out and make ourselves available to bless people with the love of Christ.  It is time to take Word and Sacrament out to the mission field of our communities.