Ancient Mission: Living God’s Mission in Mansfield

Big Idea: A clear mission comes alive when we align our gifts, take bold steps, and engage our church to reach Mansfield for Jesus today and tomorrow.

The Barna Group’s research backs this up: only about 20% of regular churchgoers are actively engaged in their church’s mission—serving, giving, inviting others.

Our why—God’s heart for Mansfield.

The Problem: Mission Without Action

Barna’s only 17% of Americans attend church weekly, down from 40% a few decades ago. And engagement? It’s even lower.

Many see Church as a Sunday event, not a mission they’re part of.

The Solution: A Mission That Mobilizes

Ephesians 4:11-16
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

You’re not here by accident—God’s given you gifts to build this church.

Nehemiah 2:17-18
Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.

They strengthened their hands for the good work.’Nehemiah saw a broken city and rallied everyone—no excuses, just action.

Paul in Acts 16:6-10

Barna studied a church in Texas that was losing steam—low engagement, declining attendance. They shifted gears: started small groups focused on serving the community, trained members to use their gifts, and launched a simple outreach to local schools. Within a year, engagement doubled, and new families started showing up.

Why? Because people saw their church wasn’t just a Sunday thing—it was a mission they could live.

Steps to Live the Mission Practical Steps.
1) Discover your gift. Grab the spiritual gifts assessment in the foyer or on our website, about where you can serve.

2) pray for the next generation. Think about Percy Hall, who served here for over 65 years—his legacy lives on in the lives he touched.

3)Start small and trust God.

4) Connect in community.

Barna says engaged churches thrive when people are in small groups, sharing life and serving together.