Our inward focus on building a loving, unified community that exudes wisdom and peace in a troubled, chaotic world is the way the body spreads the Gospel and does its part in the Great Commission. For community, mission to the unbelieving world results from the natural outflow of what is going on inside, not via duty or performance-based motivation. The church of Thessalonica is the perfect model of this, Paul commending them saying, “You became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia, for the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you…in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.” Here are the ones charged with the Great Commission saying, “You are doing so well with your part we don’t need to preach a word!” The most powerful witness for the Gospel is not individual preachers, but the witness of Christ’s body living in love, peace, and unity. The message? If that community comes together the world around us will be engaged and served. No intentional preaching necessary!
A New Model of Sustainable Christian Community
