Mission in our way, says David W. Shenk, oppresses people and destroys cultures. Mission in Christ's way is good news to oppressed people everywhere. Our Creator is the good missionary who seeks us and invites us into a joyful relationship with him, with others, and with creation. Jesus gathers those who say yes to his call into a community of faith who are called to be a light to the nations. Two astonishing surprises compel the church into mission. The first surprise is that in Jesus the anointed one God suffers for us. Jesus lays down his life that we might have life. The second surprise is that God commissions the church to serve in mission as Jesus did. The Spirit of God calls every congregation to serve in mission.
