This past summer our family hosted a language exchange student from France by the name of Maxime receive. Max was with us for about five weeks and due to our
schedules we did not have as much time to show him others parts of the United States.
I did plan on taking him to Dubuque to show him the Mississippi River and the museum which is there. I also wanted to take him to Dyersville to see the movie site for "“Field of Dreams".” In order to prepare Max for that, I rented the Field of Dreams DVD and had him watch it before going to the field. That helped provide him with the story that went with the movie site.
One of the lines from that movie is: "If you build it, he will come." We spend money building church facilities to enhance the ministry which takes place there and also with the hopes that those facilities will attract new people. "If you build it, they will come," could be the battle cry of some congregations.
At theS ynodicalodical Convention, a resolution was passed which encouraged our 6,200 congregations to see themselves as "Mission Outposts." That will mean different things to different congregations. What it should entail is that each of our congregations sees itself as places where people are "gathered together" to receive forgiveness of sins.
As we know that forgiveness always comes through the Word, either the spoken, the
preached, or the Word become flesh in the Lord's Supper. When the absolution is pronounced by the Pastor, sins are forgiven. When the Pastor clearly preaches Jesus Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins, forgiveness is being extended. When we receive the body and blood of Christ in the Holy Supper, sins are forgiven. That is the function of a "Mission Outpost".
When people come to our Mission Outposts they should meet Jesus. Do Christ Jesus and the forgiveness of sins which He earned permeate everything that takes place? Are the sermons which are preached proclaiming Jesus as the Savior, the Sin-Bearer, and the Victor over sin, death, and the power of the devil?
We hear much today about proper diet. I "jog" to fight cholesterol and heart disease which has killed both my grandfather and my father. About 98% of the mornings each year, I find myself eating oatmeal. Healthy eating and exercise go hand in hand.
But what about our spiritual diet? Are we being properly fed? Is there a good balance of Law and Gospel preaching or are we becoming guilty of the "feel good theology?"
We live in a time when we dare not soft sell the message! When that happens, the Church loses its voice for Christ Jesus and becomes nothing more than a "social club"! Paul said: "Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things; for as you do this you will insure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you" I Timothy 4:16.
I believe people will come to our Mission Outposts as we invite and bring them with us. For it is there that we are privileged to be gathered, to be forgiven and fed, and then sent back out into the world to connect with people who are without Jesus and are on the way to hell. Paul said: "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and delivered Himself up for me" Galatians 2:20.
The field in the movie was built and indeed Maxime came and saw it. He now could better relate it to the movie. Christ Jesus has built the Church and the marks of that Church are laudable and visible. The Church is the Body of Christ and that is what the attendee shall see. That is what the Church is and that is what the Church offers, the Body of Christ, the voice of Christ and comfort in Christ. He has built it, it is our honor and blessing to come.
