I’ve read over the brief Tokyo Declaration. As conferences go, it might have only had 2500 people present. I didn’t even try to attend it. But the impact has already been far beyond its immediate attendance. Leaders of the great conference have explained, “At the Tokyo 2010 General Mission Consultation, 30 representatives of Global, Regional, and National mission structures signed the Tokyo Declaration pledging their organizations to cooperation with one another and all others of like faith, with the singular goal of “making disciples of every people in our generation.” The Global Great Commission Network – Carrying Tokyo 2010 Forward — is now providing the opportunity for additional individuals and mission structures/organizations, including agencies, associations, churches, networks, and other ministries pursuing Great Commission activities to also sign the Tokyo Declaration. Your completion of the following form and your signature add you to that growing list of Tokyo 2010 signatories. The Tokyo Declaration reads,…
“Tokyo 2010 Declaration – (Summary)
“Making Disciples of Every People in Our Generation
“Preamble
We affirm that mission is the central theme of Scripture, through which God reveals Himself to be a God who communicates and works through us by action and word in a world estranged from Him.
“We rejoice that today’s mission force is global in composition, bearing a diversity of thought, practice and resources that enriches and energizes Christ’s global Cause as never before.
Declaration
“We set forth this declaration in obedience to Christ’s final command, as a means of calling Christ-followers everywhere to whole-heartedly embrace and earnestly engage in “making disciples of every people in our generation.”
“Our Responsibility
Because of the reality of mankind’s dire need and God’s gracious remedy, Jesus left with His followers the missional priority of making disciples of every people (Mt. 28:18-20). By this mandate we acknowledge both the breadth of the unfinished task – all peoples – and the depth of the task – making disciples, as its focus.
… we recognize that the depth of the task contains three essentials that comprise aspects in discipling peoples (Mt. 28:19-20):
Penetration (“go”): making a priority of going to those who have had little or no exposure to the gospel.
Consolidation (“baptizing”): gathering new believers into a relationship with Jesus and other believers, which is evidenced by the identifying rite of baptism. To conserve the fruit of evangelism and then be able to systematically disciple believers takes a local body of believers living in corporate harmony. Thus, the importance of the ministry of establishing churches.
Transformation (“teaching to obey”): teaching Christ-followers to observe His commands with the outcome of transformed lives. … As a consequence whole communities, cultures and countries benefit from the transforming power of the gospel. Thus, the importance of the ministry of teaching.
Finishing the Task
God has entrusted this generation with more opportunities and resources to complete the task than any previous one. However, we caution that all these advantages must be matched with a corresponding will to serve and sacrifice, coupled with genuine reliance upon the Holy Spirit.
“Our Pledge
Therefore, as representatives of this generation’s global mission community, we pledge to obey the Great Commission. We covenant together to use all that God has entrusted to us in this obedience. We will seek to know where people are unreached, overlooked, ignored, or forgotten. We will pray for the Holy Spirit to give strength and guidance as we join with others in changing that neglect, to love and make disciples in the way of the Cross.
We confess that we have not always valued each other or each other’s work. We repent of those wrongs and will endeavor to bring an end to competition where it exists, and reconcile where there is hurt, misunderstanding and mistrust. Furthermore, we will endeavor to recognize that each part of the Body has its very own purpose, whether risking their very lives to show God’s passion for the salvation of others, or supporting those who lead us forward, or caring for those who quietly support, or fervently pray that His will be done throughout the whole earth. We will respect all mission-engaging individuals and groups as special vessels for God’s glory, each endowed with abilities that extend His Kingdom in multiple ways.
Finally, we recognize that finishing the task will demand effective cooperative efforts of the entire global body of believers.
[end]
If you believe in the values prescribed by this group, why not sign on to their Mission Statement. Read the entire document at…
http://www.ggcn.org/pdf/Tokyo_2010_Declaration.pdf
then read/study the form at…
and please indicate your willingness to help!
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