A Tale of Two Churches

It was a time of great celebration in the church. The shortterm
mission team had returned from their overseas ministry,
and the report caused all to rejoice. Not only had the team
evangelized in unreached areas, they had actually planted
three churches, discipled men into leadership roles, and
appointed elders in the burgeoning congregations. All this
was accomplished in a two-year commitment involving
over 1,000 miles of travel. The sending church was ecstatic
over the report, and praised God for the day they had
commissioned this team and sent them out. Missionary
endeavor was a priority to this local church, situated in the
third largest city of its area.

But the elation was short-lived. Visitors came to the church
and questioned the theological position of the missionaries,
criticizing the glowing report and even casting doubt on the
motivation of the returned team. Intense discussion erupted,

and eventually the leaders of the church determined to seek

counsel from their mother church in the capital city some

300 miles to the south.

Sound familiar? The story is found in Acts chapters thirteen
through fifteen. Jerusalem was the mother church, Antioch
the missionary church. Paul and Barnabas were leaders at
Antioch, where believers were first called Christians. The
church had sent them out, along with John Mark, in what
is now called Paul’s first missionary journey into Asia Minor,
currently known as Turkey.

When the dissention erupted over the conversion of
Gentiles, the church at Antioch commissioned Paul
and Barnabas to go to the church at Jerusalem and
seek counsel. Think about this. Why would this vibrant
congregation, with its missionary zeal, seek advice from
its mother church to the south? After all, they had Paul,
certainly the most educated Christian leader of the day. He
was a brilliant and articulate polemicist who could argue
theological circles around anyone! Why should they seek
counsel? They had it all together, and were a successful,
competent church. Yet in humility and submission, they
sought outside help in dealing with their troubling issue.

Allowing an assessment team to come into your church
and becoming vulnerable to outside evaluation, regardless
of your church health, strength and missionary zeal,
requires humility and submission. But it is a source of God’s
abounding grace and the Spirit’s empowering vision.