vision - 2021

tral mission; sometimes it’s because
the culture has changed, making
the means by which the church
has expressed itself less relevant
for the current day; and sometimes
it might mean that the church is
encountering a new culture and
finding the best ways to proclaim
the gospel in a fresh context. The
church must meet and speak to
people where they are, and what the
church stresses will depend upon
the people or culture in which it
finds itself. Some examples:
• The internet is a global
culture, which requires the
presence of the gospel if
all peoples are to encoun-
ter Jesus. How should the
successors of the apostles
evangelize online?

• The Western world is lessfocused on titles and authority than it used to be. Sothe question today is howshould the church bring itsmessage to people less interested in the institutionalchurch and suspicious ofinstitutions in general?

• How does one speak tomany people today who arenot convinced of the needfor God and other fundamental beliefs of the church?

• Pope Francis is not al-
tering the mission of the
church in his writing or
preaching, but he is em-
phasizing different aspects
of the gospel message and
challenging the church to
rediscover and reinvigorate
itself.

Followers of Jesus

Christians are still calling people tocome to the church, God’s gatheredpeople here on Earth, in order toenter into a relationship with JesusChrist and prepare for eternal lifein the reign of God. It is a task thatrequires new approaches to answerthe ancient and eternal call, “Follow me.” =