Definition of the word mission

The meaning of the word mission comes from the Latin word missio, which means, “to send. ” According to the Westminster dictionary of theological terms. Personally, I believe that mission relates to the purpose God entrusts every person born on this earth. Send into this world to be meaningful and intentional in regard to God’s everlasting love for humanity. In God’s word, the Bible, unmistakably we find that mission revolves around God’s agenda, in which he tried to draw mankind near to Him again and again. Christopher J.H. Wright states in his volume “the mission of God’s people” that God staggeringly and strategically sends many, in other words he engraved a purpose in an individual regardless of their own thought and willingness. Wright proposes, that the creator sends people like Joseph and Moses to deliver the people from slavery and oppression. In order to accomplish the purpose God created them to be, they needed to be a boundless and limitless people.

As far as missions, Wright also mentions and gives several analogies to describe what missions’ means. He says at the bottom of page 25, that the word missions can be understood as a genetic breadth like the word Sports. There are numerous kinds of sporting activities, such as, soccer, football and tennis among others. Nevertheless they are all under the umbrella of a generic concept; and that would be the word Sport. In the same manner, as it is mentioned in Dr. Casino’s power point “The Heartbeat of God”: Missions can be related to all forms, methods, activities, strategies and executions of God’s people.  

The Westminster Dictionary of theological terms, the word missionary is described as: “one who is sent on a mission.” Wright states on page 27 that in the western way of looking at this could be a bit blurry, one may suggest missions are related merely to foreign countries or outside of our own realm. The reality is that missions are every where even in our own back yard; so of speak.

According to The Westminster Dictionary of theological terms, Missional relates to a “focused on God’s activity in the world to carry out the divine mission of reconciliation and salvation in Jesus Christ.” In my humble understanding of the word, missional relates more than just another word in the dictionary, but an attitude or better yet a state of mind.