>>> The Missions of God's People

44.
Following the apostles, the church is sent—[1]
sent with the gospel of the kingdom[2]
to make disciples of all nations,
to feed the hungry,[3]
and to proclaim the assurance that in the name of Christ[4]
there is forgiveness of sin and new life
for all who repent and believe—
to tell the news that our world belongs to God.
In a world estranged from God,
where millions face confusing choices,
this mission is central to our being,[5]
for we announce the one name that saves.
We repent of leaving this work to a few,
we pray for brothers and sisters
who suffer for the faith,
and we rejoice that the Spirit[6]
is waking us to see
our mission in God's world.

[1 Matt. 28:18-20]
[2 John 20:21-23]
[3 1 John 3:11-24]
[4 2 Cor. 5:11-6:2]
[5 Acts 1:8]
[6 1 Thess. 1]

45.
The rule of Jesus Christ covers the whole world.[1]
To follow this Lord is
to serve him everywhere,[2]
without fitting in,
as light in the darkness,[3]
as salt in a spoiling world.

[1 Phil. 2:1-10; 4:8-9]
[2 Rom. 12]
[3 Matt. 5:13-16]

46.
We serve Christ by thankfully receiving our life[1]
as a gift from his hand.
We protest and resist
all abuse and harm of this gift[2]
by abortion, pollution, gluttony,
addiction, and all foolish risks.

[1 1 Cor. 6:19-20]
[2 Ps. 139]

47.
Since God made us male and female in his image,[1]
one sex may not look down on the other,
nor should we flaunt or exploit our sexuality.
Our roles as men and women must conform[2]
to God's gifts and commands[3]
as we shape our cultural patterns.
Sexuality is disordered in our fallen world;[4]
grief and loneliness are the result;[5]
but Christ's renewing work gives hope
for order and healing
and surrounds suffering persons[6]
with a compassionate community.

[1 Gen. 1:26-2:25]
[2 Song of Songs]
[3 Gal. 3:28]
[4 Prov. 7]
[5 1 Cor. 6:9-20]
[6 John 8:1-11]

48.
We serve Christ as singles,[1]
whether for a time or a life,
by undivided devotion to the work of God
and so add our love and service
to the building of his kingdom.

[1 1 Cor. 7:25-35]

49.
In marriage and family,[1]
we serve God
by reflecting his covenant love
in life-long loyalty,
and by teaching his ways,
so that children may know Jesus as their Lord
and learn to use their gifts in a life of joyful service.

[1 Eph. 5:1-6:4]

50.
In education we seek to acknowledge the Lord[1]
by promoting schools and teaching[2]
in which the light of his Word shines in all learning,[3]
where students, of whatever ability,
are treated as persons who bear God's image[4]
and have a place in his plan.

[1 Prov. 4; 9:10]
[2 Ps. 119:105]
[3 Col. 1:17]
[4 Deut. 6:1-9]

51.
In our work, even in dull routine,[1]
we hear the call to serve our Lord.
We must work for more than wages,[2]
and manage for more than profit,[3]
so that mutual respect
and the just use of goods and skills[4]
may shape the work place,
and so that, while we earn or profit,
useful products and services may result.
Rest and leisure are gifts of God[5]
to relax us and to set us free
to discover and to explore.
Believing that he provides for us,
we can rest more trustingly[6]
and entertain ourselves more simply.

[1 Eph. 4:17-32]
[2 2 Thess. 3:6-13]
[3 Eph. 6:5-9]
[4 1 Thess. 4:9-12]
[5 Phil. 4:8]
[6 Heb. 4:1-13]

52.
Grateful for the advances
in science and technology,[1]
we make careful use of their products,[2]
on guard against idolatry
and harmful research,
and careful to use them in ways that answer[3]
to God's demands
to love our neighbor
and to care for the earth and its creatures.[4]

[1 Gen. 1:28-31; 9:1-7]
[2 1 Chron. 29:1-19]
[3 1 Tim. 4:1-5]
[4 Rom. 8:19-23]

53.
Since God establishes the powers that rule,[1]
we are called to respect them,[2]
unless they trample his Word.
We are to obey God in politics,[3]
pray for our rulers,
and help governments to know his will for public life.
Knowing that God's people
live under many forms of government,
we are thankful for the freedoms[4]
enjoyed by citizens of many lands;
we grieve with those who live under oppression,[5]
and we work for their liberty[6]
to live without fear.

[1 John 19:11]
[2 Rom. 13:1-7]
[3 Acts 4]
[4 Isa. 61:1-2]
[5 Gen. 18]
[6 Rom. 6:16-19]

54.
We call on governments to do public justice[1]
and to protect the freedoms and rights[1]
of individuals, groups, and institutions,[3]
so that each may freely do[4]
the tasks God gives.
We urge governments to ensure the well-being of all citizens[5]
by protecting children from abuse and pornography,[6]
by guarding the elderly and poor,[7]
and by promoting the freedom to speak, to work,[8]
to worship, and to associate.

[1 Matt. 5:6]
[2 Isa. 61:8]
[3 Luke 4:17-21]
[4 1 Tim. 2:1-4]
[5 Ps. 72]
[6 Isa. 1:16-17]
[7 Lev. 19:13-16]
[8 Jer. 9:23-24; 22:15-17]

55.
Following the Prince of Peace,[1]
we are called to be peacemakers,
and to promote harmony and order.
We call on our governments to work for peace;[2]
we deplore the arms race[3]
and the horrors that we risk.
We call on all nations to limit their weapons
to those needed in the defense of justice and freedom.
We pledge to walk in ways of peace,[4]
confessing that our world belongs to God;
he is our sure defense.

[1 James 3:18]
[2 Mic. 4:1-5]
[3 Matt. 26:52]
[4 Matt. 5:9]