An on mission church embraces the Great Commission and engages the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a church committed to starting new churches, strengthening existing churches, and sending workers into the harvest fields. It is a church that encourages, equips, empowers, and expects every member to be personally involved in God’s mission enterprise.

An on mission congregation prays, gives, knows, and goes on mission with God. It is a church of burdened people for the lostness of all nations and seeks to create ways to reach its Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. Most of all, it is a church with the glory of God as its ultimate goal and primary purpose.

10 Characteristics of an On Mission Church

1. God’s glory is the ultimate goal (purpose) of the church.
2. Members are involved in the passionate worship of God.
3. The Great Commission and the Great Commandments are prioritized.
4. A balanced Acts 1:8 Mission Strategy is emphasized and personalized.
5. It is organized to be on mission through praying, giving, knowing, and going.
6. Members are made aware of mission opportunities and are empowered to respond.
7. It embraces a church wide and year-around commitment to mission awareness, involvement, and partnerships.
8. Resources of the church are directed toward the Great Commission with a kingdom perspective of personal accountability and responsibility.
9. Members experience a genuine brokenness over those who are without Christ and a sense of urgency to be on mission as a lifestyle.
10. A contagious, on mission spirit demonstrates a congregation’s commitment to assist in starting new churches, strengthen existing churches, and send workers into the harvest.

On Mission Christians are:

1.  Spiritually awakened (an upward process).

Jesus said in John 4:35-36, “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life…”

2.  Continually adjusting (an inward process).

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:22, “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.”

3.  Evangelistically active (an outward process).

In Romans 10:14 we read, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”

4.  Passionately supportive (a forward process).

The Bible says in Luke 10:2, “He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’”

Used by permission of the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, USA.  All rights reserved.