The Church of Antioch: A Model of Generosity and Missions
In Acts 13, we find ourselves in the vibrant and diverse church of Antioch. It’s a passage in the New Testament that often goes unnoticed, but it holds invaluable lessons about the nature of the early Christian Church and its mission. In this blog, we’ll delve into this scripture to uncover some vital insights that remain relevant for modern believers.
The church of Antioch was unique in its composition. It was a true representation of the diversity that the gospel was meant to reach. The key members of this church hailed from various regions:
Barnabas: From the Mediterranean island of Cyprus
Simeon called Niger: Likely African descent (country unknown)
Lucius of Cyrene: Representing ancient Libya, another African
Manaen: Raised alongside Herod in Northern Israel
Saul: A native of Tarsus in Turkey (Asia Minor)
This congregation was a beautiful blend of individuals from different backgrounds and locations. In our time, we can observe the same multiethnic spirit in our church, with Hispanic, Nepali-Bhutanese, Sudanese, and Hmong services, and a Deaf ministry all integrated into one community. The more diverse we become, the more we resemble heaven, and there’s always room for one more!
The Game Changer: Sending Missionaries
While the multiethnic composition is inspiring, the real game changer in Acts 13 is the commissioning of missionaries. This is the first instance of missionaries being set apart for a specific task. The significance lies in who was sent and where they were going. Barnabas and Saul were not just any believers; they were among the best and brightest. The reason for their mission was to reach unreached people, those who had never heard the gospel.
Today, billions in the world still haven’t heard about Jesus, and thousands of people groups remain unreached. Shockingly, for every hundred dollars given to Christian organizations, less than two pennies go towards reaching these unreached people. This is a stark contrast to the vast resources spent on various other endeavors, even trivial ones. The church of Antioch's passion was clear: “Not on my watch!” They were willing to send their best to the hardest and darkest places because everyone needs to hear about Jesus.
Here, There, and Everywhere
The message of the gospel is too precious to keep to ourselves or within the walls of the church. We must reach one more here, there, and everywhere. This has been the DNA of Christ Community Church for a century. The church is known for its generosity, sacrifice, and commitment to missions. It’s not about sending leftovers but our best and brightest to share the Good News.
Partnering for the Future
One of the proudest moments for Christ Community Church is its partnership with a remarkable individual in the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA). After extensive prayer and seeking, the right partner for CCC missions was found. Though there are sensitivities involved, the work being done is significant. The church is investing in projects that make a profound impact, and this partnership is a beacon of hope in a place CCC has code-named “Green City.”
Investing in Church Planting
Christ Community Church has a history of planting churches, but it's time to look beyond its immediate vicinity. With online services and hybrid attendance, there is still room to reach one more within its walls. Instead of adding more churches where there's already a presence, the church plans to plant churches in cities where there are no Christian congregations. The goal is ambitious: to plant 27 churches by 2027, reaching populations with less than a 1% chance of being Christian.
The Role of Resources
To achieve these ambitious goals, resources are necessary. The church is open about its financial needs and encourages the congregation to consider how much of their resources belong to God. It’s all God’s money anyway, and the question isn’t, “How much should I give to God?” but rather, “How much of God's money should I keep for myself?”
For those facing financial challenges, I can understand well from the beginning of my marriage with Kelle as a young, married couple struggling financially. We chose to trust God with our finances and witnessed his provision even in difficult circumstances. Low-income individuals inspire wealthier members with their generous giving, echoing biblical examples of sacrificial giving.
Generous, Joyful, Sacrificial
The New Testament doesn’t prescribe a specific percentage for giving, but it emphasizes generosity, joy, and sacrifice. The heart of giving matters more than a fixed percentage. As Christians, we’re called to be generous, joyful, and sacrificial givers.
The lessons from the church of Antioch are timeless. Its multiethnic composition, commitment to missions, and unwavering dedication to reaching the unreached continue to inspire Christians today. Christ Community Church is living out these principles, and their vision for the future is a call to action for all believers: to be generous, joyful, and sacrificial in sharing the gospel—here, there, and everywhere.
Blog adapted from October 29, 2023 message by Minister Mark Ashton
