We must never lose the vital message Croatia

We must never lose the

vital message

by Pastor Vjeko Mrsic, Croatia

In the last year all of us have been affected by the pandemic. Many of us have been helping people who have lost their jobs, been ill or unable to cope with the pressures of the situation. Humanitarian aid has been emphasised a lot and it is great to help people around us. Meanwhile, most churches have been closed and not active as usual.

Recently, Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Zizek was asked in an interview about the future in the wake of Covid. As an atheist, he foresaw dark times filled with economic crisis, unrest and riots.

When asked how the church should answer these difficult times he quoted a Slovenian theologian who said, "The main mission of the Church is not physical healing, feeding the hungry or caring for the poor, even if these deeds are amazing, but eternal salvation through Jesus Christ."

In a recent conversation with a pastor from the city of Split, we came to the conclusion that the last time our churches had any evangelistic outreach sharing the gospel was in late 2019!

I would like to encourage us all not to lose the vital message, purpose and vision of the church here on earth. "The main mission of the Church is not physical healing, feeding the hungry or caring for the poor, even if these deeds are amazing, but eternal salvation through Jesus Christ."

We are to go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit. May God help us to keep the gospel of eternal salvation as the main thing in what we say and do. Proverbs 29:18 "Where there is no vision, the people perish."