"Litany for Christian Unity," UMHymnal 556.

Mat 16:13-19 {18} "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my ekklesia, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. {19} I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

1) Peter a new name, and given a commission (keys to the Kingdom).

2) ekklesia vs. sunagoge.

3) the power of binding & loosing is the power over evil and death.

Luke 4:14-21 {18} "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, {19} to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." {20} And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. {21} Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

1) The calling of the Lord as prophesied in Isaiah 61.

2) Calling to bring good news, proclaim release, proclaim recovery, free the oppressed, proclaim God's favorable day.

1) poreuthentes mean "going" - designates vocation.

2) The purpose in going is to proclaim the good news through word, deed, and sign.

3) The believer is supernaturally empowered to fulfill the commission.

John 11:1-4 {3} So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, "Lord, he whom you love is ill." {4} But when Jesus heard it, he said, "This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God's glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it."

1) Love is the motivator behind any good works.

2) Commissions that are fulfilled are done so to bring attention to the goodness of God and the person of Jesus.

Outreach - "...On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it." The Outreach task force is engaged in sharing the good news in word, deed, and sign to those in our immediate geographical area, with the ulterior motive of bringing them into the family of Jesus and the Ekklesia. We might call our Outreach task force Faith Sharers. Faith Sharers help identify potential church members, call inactive members and friends on the phone, follow up with visitors, and plan community events. In addition, Faith Sharers identify community needs and lead the ekklesia in touching lives.

Missions - "Go into all the world and proclaim the good news...." The Missions task force is engaged in sharing the good news in word, deed, and sign to those outside our immediate geographical area, with the ulterior motive of empowering the powerless. We might call our Missions task force Bold Adventurers. Bold Adventurers will study local, domestic, and overseas missions, and promote perceived needs within the ekklesia. Task force members will take part in mission endeavors, for they are BOLD.

Worship - "It is for God's glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." The Worship task force is engaged in sharing the good news in word, deed, and sign to those who are attending the activities of the ekklesia. The seek to constantly improve the quality of worship through music, word, liturgy, praise, and education. We might call our Worship task force Joyful Worshippers. Joyful Worshippers study liturgical acts of praise and music, plan special services, and help critique the Sunday morning service (including the sermon). (Formal duties and responsibilities are published in Par. 253.2c,2d, 259, 261, 262.1,7 in the 1992 Discipline.)

Look at your answer to our first question. Share with a neighbor. Does your suggestion fit into our three areas of evangelism? If so, where? If not, why not?

Let's take time to share. Use some of the scriptural criteria discussed earlier. As we share, let's make note of others with whose answers fit into similar areas of evangelism as ours.

Perhaps we are beginning to identify who God is calling into Bold Adventurers, Faith Sharers, and Joyful Worshippers. Let's get acquainted with the members of "our task force."

1) Appoint a task force coach, someone who has the gift of motivation.

2) Set up a regular, biweekly meeting date. Invite the pastor to the first meeting so he can help facilitate and guide the vision. (I might suggest Sunday meetings after church.)

3) Until the first meeting, begin envisioning what our ekklesia can begin doing in your evangelism area.

4) Study the duties and responsibilities of in the Discipline, and any resources the pastor has for your area.

5) Research mission (apostle), outreach (witness), and worship (glorifying) in your Bible by using a concordance.

6) Set aside a time to pray each day for the members of the evangelism team.

7) (Add your own.)

"Help Us Accept Each Other," Hymnal 560.