The Foundation For “Following Jesus on Mission Together”
A Theology of Integral Mission 

But the words “Mission” and “Missions” have such a variety of uses in our Canadian churches: some just think of it merely as a program or an activity of the church, or even a trip or a project, while others see it as the very core of the Church’s purpose. This latter expression promotes that the Church is a community of followers of Christ, who purpose comes from the character of God as a Sender, and the Church as the people sent by God1. As Lesslie Newbigin, David Bosch, and Christopher Wright, among others, have helped us articulate, “The Church doesn’t have a mission, but the Mission of God has a Church”. 2 Mission is the first activity of God’s Spirit, as an overflow from Pentecost to the present time. 

Why is it an “integral” mission? Very simply, Integral Mission is ‘evangelism’ plus ‘social responsibility’, which some in the International Mission Community refer to as “the whole gospel”. We believe it upholds integrity as a core value of all our mission participation. “Our proclamation has social consequences as we call people to love and repentance in all areas of life. And our social involvement has evangelistic consequences as we bear witness to the transforming grace of Jesus Christ. If we ignore the world, we betray the Word of God which sends us out to serve the world. If we ignore the Word of God, we have nothing to bring to the world” (Lausanne Covenant). Evangelicals have a long, historical commitment to the Word which we must not lose as we equally commit to social involvement wherever we are sent by God. 

So, along with the global church, let us in Canada continue to be a Community of Followers of Jesus on mission together. Let’s relentlessly commit ourselves to the way Jesus invites us to live, enabling His life, mission, character, love and teachings to be experienced in a community of disciplers committed together on the journey. (summary of the Way of Jesus markers). 

Through this paper, members of the EMCC community of Pastors, Church and Mission Leaders, Global Partners and Workers, friends and members of our global Church family are invited to ground ourselves upon this foundation of God’s Mission, upon which the Church may remain strong, and devoted as a healthy, multiplying and disciple-making community. We are Jesus’ followers, who participate in His mission. Let us encourage one another through shared dialogue and learning, and inspire others to radically follow Jesus in our everyday lives, everywhere in the world. 

Click Here to Download the Theology of Integral Mission