Disciples for All Nations

By Bishop Brian Maas


This year’s Nebraska Synod Assembly was, as it always is, a spirited, lively, engaged gathering of people of faith, joined in communion with one another and the larger church, drawn together to learn and grow, to challenge and encourage one another—maybe a little more spirited and lively than usual. I’m not sure why that was the case. It just seemed to be, and I thank God for the experience and for all those who were a part of it.

Some have suggested that our theme—“Disciples for All Nations”—had something to do with it. They may be on to something. I’m more of a preacher than a writer, so I don’t always pay a lot of attention to details like prepositions. But this year they mattered—and for people of faith, they always do.

In short, Jesus sends us to all nations (Luke 24:47)…
to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19)…
which we do effectively only by being disciples for all nations.

As a synod, we recognize that our mission is “Growing disciples, walking together, serving God’s world.” When we engage that mission for others, on behalf of Jesus Christ who calls, claims, equips, and sends us, it’s not hard to be spirited and lively. When our focus is outside of ourselves—individuals, congregations, synods, denominations; races, ethnicities, geographies, identities, political parties—we open up space within ourselves for the Spirit to work, to energize and encourage us, to awaken us to gratitude and lead us to joy. That’s enough to make one spirited and lively!

So we are Disciples for All Nations. For All Peoples. For All Places. Even for Those People, whoever those people are for us- for a fuller expression of that thought, view below. This is our gift. This is our mission. And in the presence of evils designed solely to separate us, this is our moment—to make clear the love of God in Jesus Christ for all. The transformation of the world is possible, but it begins with the transformation of us, letting ourselves be disciples without limits; letting God grow us into disciples for all.




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