Church Mission
NACC has identified the “Mission” of the church at large. The primary mission of NACC is one that is generic to all churches. It is the same mission Jesus carried out while on the earth and then passed on to the first group of leaders (the twelve disciples). It is known as the ‘Great Commission’ in Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." This mission is modeled by the early Christian church in Acts 2. The “Mission of NACC” is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. The purpose and effort of all disciples of Jesus is tomake other disciples. This is the work of the Holy Spirit; the restoration of the relationship between men and God. We submit to and join the Holy Spirit in continuing this work. Making disciples has been described in four steps in Acts 2.
Evangelism
Acts 2:47b “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
To ‘go forth and make disciples’ as commanded in the Great Commission (Matt 28:19) we must leave the comfort of our own sanctuaries, whether personal or corporately, to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We must understand that we are called to give testimony to the fact that Jesus is the‘way, the truth, and the life, and that no-one come to the Father (heaven) but through Him’. The gospel is the love story of Jesus becoming our atonement. The ‘life’ is the opportunity to walk in eternal relationship with God our Father and Jesus our Savior, under the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. We the church, must do this in life-style evangelism (personal responsibility) as well as through corporate evangelism (i.e. door-to-door, face to face communication).
Teaching
Acts 2:42 “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
Teaching the church is done in two basic methods. One method is the corporate or group process. This is accomplished in small groups (home fellowships), in class settings, and in corporate settings (i.e. Sunday service, prayer nights, and conferences). The second method is through one-on-one discipleship or ‘mentoring’. The one-on-one model is seen in the story of Barnabas going and getting Paul to take him to visit churches, in effect mentoring him, then Paul going and getting Timothy to mentor him. This is a process of submission of the heart in order to become spiritually mature and to then be able to better accomplish the work of the Kingdom. Jesus Himself said that He was completely submitted to His Father. “But the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.” John 14:31
We should all have someone who mentors us and one whom we mentor. God has an intended relationship for you to be mentored by and at least one for you to serve in, as mentor. Obedience to this concept is the key to your spiritual growth and your ability to carry out the vision Jesus has passed on to you.
Praising God - Worship
Acts 2:47 “...praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.”
The first church mentioned in Acts was praising God for His salvation and for the new found life of love and purpose they had found in Jesus Christ. If we have found the same thing then how can we not be moved to praise our Lord and our Father? Praise is an attitude of the heart. It is expressed through many methods. We praise God when we live in obedience. We praise God through prayer. We praise God through the reading of scripture. We praise God through singing and the playing of instruments. We praise God as individuals and in our relationship with one-another. It should be the practice of all group meetings (whether mentoring times or large corporate times) to include a time to praise God. Praise draws you closer to the Lord which allows you to live a life that is submitted to Him and His purposes, a life that is greatly empowered, and a life of peace and joy.
Fellowship
Acts 2:46 "Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts."
Fellowship is relational participation or rather interaction. Fellowship is modeled in the love expressed between Jesus and His Father. It was spoken of in the scripture used earlier when Jesus said; “But the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.” John 14:31
We love each other the same way Jesus loves the Father…by our actions. How we interact demonstrates our love. If we do not interact together, then we do not love one-another. This love cannot be generated by our own heart. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit. We must ask for this love, submit to the Spirit’s work in birthing His love in us and then interact with one-another under the influence of this love. We have fellowship with each other only as we have fellowship with God our Father and Jesus our Savior, under the power of the Holy Spirit.
Church fellowship is enjoyed during all times of discipleship making. There should be, however, times that are specifically purposed for personal interaction. Church meals and being in each other’s homes are great ways to enjoy God’s intended fellowship for each of us. We should have church parties and events that allow for nothing more than fellowship interaction. The purest form of fellowship is experienced when we help one-another or meet a need of another. Thanksgiving to God is the fruit of fellowship. Unity is enhanced in fellowship. Fellowship is a process of disciple making.
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