Payne Theological Seminary

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you, and remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20 (NRSV) The mission and ministry in the African Methodist Episcopal Church is grounded in the Great Commission; Matthew 28: 19-20. The words- mission and ministry, have been used interchangeably. There is a distinct difference between mission and ministry. Mission is what the church is called to do in the world. Ministry is the means by which the mission is achieved. Which way does your church lean? Church A: We will reach as many new people as we can while our energy is primarily focused on keeping as many of the people we already have. (Mission is viewed as the end and ministry as the means.) Church B: We will keep as many of the people we already have while our energy is primarily focused on reaching as many new people as we can. (Ministry is viewed as (keeping insiders) as the end and mission (reaching outsiders) as the means.