Don M. Aycock in Eight Days That Changed the World tells of a man who was attracted by a sign that read, “Church of God Grill.” His curiosity forced him to check out the restaurant. He learned that a small mission church, in order to raise money, had started to sell chicken dinners after church on Sunday. That helped pay the bills, and people liked the chicken. The business continued to grow, so to accommodate they cut back on the church services. The business continued to grow, so they just closed the church altogether and continued to serve chicken dinners. The owner explained, “We just kept the name we started with.”

Sometimes the business of church, while well intentioned and necessary, can actually become a detraction. We often do the things and forget why we are doing them. Having meetings, holding events, and tending to the affairs become the goal instead of the means to our goal.

Jesus’ commission to the church at His ascension, and his empowerment of the church at Pentecost points us back toward our mission. It is very simple in its goal: repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be preached in Jesus' name to all nations (Luke 24:47). God’s mission is the church’s mission. The church’s mission is the mission of everything we do. What a joy and blessing it is to be about the Father’s business!