Mission of Christ Network

MCN has been organized around a laity-led Board of Directors and pastor-advised network of like-minded, mission-driven, Christ-centered individuals, congregations and other entities or groups who desire to reach the lost for Christ and will work in networks of partnerships under the platform of MCN to achieve that goal. Its initial Board of Directors are members of congregations within the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod. Work will be undertaken through Operational Groups chaired by a member or members of MCN’s Board with counsel from Advisory Committees, consisting of laity and Pastors with background and experience in that particular area.

MCN operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. It functions exclusively for combined religious and charitable purposes permitted to be carried on by a corporation exempt from federal income taxation under the Internal Revenue Code. MCN has been incorporated with the Secretary of the State of Texas as Missio Christi Network, Inc. doing business as Mission of Christ Network.

• Multiply the involvement of individuals (both laity and professional church workers), congregations and organizations to accomplish MCN’s mission
• Identify existing barriers on mission fields to Gospel proclamation and address them to more effectively carry out MCN’s mission
• Establish strategic relationships and alliances linking resources, human and financial, to mission needs
• Pursue long-term strategies of involvement in countries of work to accomplish the mission

All those involved with MCN accept and confess, without reservation, the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the written Word of God and the only rule and norm of faith and practice, especially the central teachings of Holy Scripture that Jesus Christ, the second person of the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, alone is the Savior of the world, and that only out of grace for Christ’s sake through faith in Him is there forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2; Acts 4:12).

In light of the above, and based on Holy Scripture, it is understood that:

• The mission belongs to God and begins in the heart of God. From God’s first promise that he would “take action” to save his people (Gen. 3:15), to His command to Abraham “to go” (Gen. 12:1-3), to His prophets who were sent throughout the Old Testament to give witness, to Christ’s command to the seventy “to go,” (Luke 10:1-3) and Christ’s command of Matthew 28:19, God is active in mission.
• God’s mission is to and for everyone. God’s desire is that all of mankind are to be saved. (1 Tim. 2:4) As such His Gospel is to be proclaimed throughout the world, with no exceptions (Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:8).
• God’s mission involves all Christians. All Christians are missionaries (1 Pet. 2:9). Christians are not only to live lives that glorify God (1 Pet 2:12) but are to seize every opportunity presented to share His Gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ to all (1 Peter 3:15). While some may be called into the specific ministry of Word and Sacrament (the ordained), and some may be sent to accomplish specific tasks in missionary service (Acts 8:28-31) – whether witness proclamation or mercy work — all are called to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8-10).
• God’s mission is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Not only was the Holy Spirit active with the Father and the Son in His creation (Genesis 1:2) but the Father and the Son sent the Holy Spirit (John 14:26, 16:7) so that mankind may receive the benefits of Jesus’ redemptive work (1 Cor. 3:5-6). And, as the Holy Spirit empowered the church on the day of Pentecost to proclaim God’s message (Acts 2:33) so the Holy Spirit continues to empower all believers in Christ (1 John 4:13)
• God’s mission is urgent. Every second of every day, people, not knowing through faith Jesus Christ as their Savior, die an eternal death. (John 9:4). Yet, God’s desire is that all are to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4).
• God’s mission must be my mission. As Christians we must be prepared at all times to give Witness (1 Peter 3:15) to the core of God’s mission proclamation (John 3:16). We cannot, therefore, leave the work of God’s mission to “the church” in general or to “others” for each of us is a personal ambassador for Christ to the world (2 Cor. 3:2-3).