GO and TELL frames the mission for each and every believer in Christ.
If you are a follower of Jesus then you have the mandate to GO to the nations. Matthew 28:19-20 provides the mandate to GO. Each and everyone one of us are to figure out ways to GO to “all nations.” We are certainly to send missionaries through the tithes and offerings that funnel through our local churches. But, how does the average busy suburbanite Mommy and Daddy fulfill the GO mandate?
Further, when we go, then what?! Showing up might be the first step but what did Jesus tell his disciples to do once they went? Believers in Jesus are to TELL people about Jesus’ gospel of grace. In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus told his followers to teach others. Specifically they were to teach others to follow everything he called them to follow. Missionaries TELL others about Jesus and his ways. Again, I recognize that we enable people to do this through the tithes and offerings of our local churches. But again, how does the average busy suburbanite Mommy and Daddy fulfill the TELL mandate?
First, in our zeal for “all nations” we need to remember that our own nation is included. I live in a state and a city facing declines in the percentage of the population that claim faith in Christ. Much of this is due to our healthy economy (yay Texas) and thus the large numbers of people who move here for work. I don’t believe these numbers are necessarily an indictment on the local church, but rather a warning bell that our work is not done. Here is my point, your neighborhood is a mission field and your neighbors need you to GO and TELL.
Utilizing social media is a great way to participate in our missionary mandate. Let me put my cards on the table, I feel a constant tug to slip into my hobbit-hole and not engage others. I also roll my eyes at social media, even as I post images of my own kids. However, suburbanite Mommy and Daddy, take advantage of social media as a simple way to GO and TELL.
I am not encouraging you to be the obnoxious power-poster who throws up ten tweets a day…don’t wear people out! I am also not encouraging you to be the weird hyper-spiritual guy who only talks Christian-ease…be a real person! Also, hear me, I DO want to see pics of your kids (they really are cute), and I agree that they are probably the next Dirk Nowitzki.
All I am saying to the busy suburbanite Mommy and Daddy is also make room to be a social media missionary. When a verse impacts you..post it. When an article is helpful…share it. When your church is gathering people for something…help get the word out. In this digital age love your friends by being a social media missionary.