We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. Colossians 1:28
My “mega” church brought in consultants and spent weeks to generate a “mission statement.” I was involved in a similar process at my previous much smaller church in which we decided that nothing could improve upon Colossians 1:28 for strategic guidance. The economy and rhythm of its words appear to be the product of hours of brainstorming and distillation, but they are simply the mission the Lord would want every one of his churches to adopt and implement.
A church is called to do more than proclaim (katangello) the gospel, although this is an important mission that should be weaved into every activity. We are, with wisdom, to warn (noutheteo) every “man” and teach (didasko) every “man” about Christ, with the goal of presenting or setting all before Him (paristemi) complete or perfect (teleios), that is mature or fully grown.
For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. Colossians 1:29
This is done with deep Bible teaching centered on Christ to everyone, not motivational speaking or story telling. We should as a church labor (energeia) and strive (agonizomai) to the point of exhaustion, or “failure,” as they call it in the gym, in God’s mighty power (dunamis), preaching and teaching the “solid food” of God’s word.
But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Hebrews 5:14
I remember the “agony” of track practice, sprinting ten 220’s in a row under 30 seconds, with only a walk across the football field for rest. This was to assure that we’d be strong down the stretch and through the tape. Would that we’d be so committed to putting in the work to present everyone complete in Christ!
[Italics indicate the Greek word used in the text]
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