Our Church stands at a defining moment—a call to refocus our mission on what matters most: making disciples who live and share the love of Jesus. Christ’s command in Matthew 28:19,20 still echoes through time: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them . . . and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
This call is not just an activity or program—it is our identity. To be a disciple is to walk daily with Jesus, allowing Him to shape every corner of our lives. To live as a steward is to recognise that everything—our time, talents, treasure and testimony—belongs to God and must be used to advance His kingdom.
Understanding Mission Refocus: a framework for renewal
Perhaps you’re reading about Mission Refocus for the first time, or you’ve heard the term but wonder what it means for you personally. Mission Refocus is a strategic initiative designed to help our Church return to its core purpose: making disciples of Jesus Christ who transform their communities. At its heart, Mission Refocus asks three fundamental questions: Are we truly making disciples? Are our members growing in their relationship with Jesus? Are we effectively reaching our communities with the gospel?
This framework matters because it addresses a challenge many churches face: the drift from mission to maintenance. Over time, churches can become focused on preserving programs rather than pursuing the Great Commission. Mission Refocus calls us back to intentional discipleship and purposeful stewardship—not as new burdens, but as pathways to vibrant, meaningful faith. Whether your church has formally adopted Mission Refocus or not, its principles offer every believer a practical way to deepen their walk with Christ and multiply their impact for His kingdom. The beauty of this approach is that it doesn’t require institutional approval—it begins with individual commitment.
Two pillars of a missional life
Discipleship and stewardship are inseparable. Discipleship is the lifelong process of inward transformation that happens when we surrender fully to Jesus. Stewardship is the outward expression of that transformation—how we live, serve and give. When woven together, they form a vibrant, Christ-centred faith. Discipleship without stewardship becomes shallow, while stewardship without discipleship becomes mechanical. But when both unite, they ignite spiritual growth, generosity and missional living.
Barnabas offers a powerful biblical example. In Acts 4:36,37, he sold his land to support the church—an act of stewardship born from his devotion to Jesus. Later, in Acts 11:22–26, he sought out Paul and helped nurture the believers in Antioch. Barnabas lived a faith that was both generous and missional, showing how discipleship and stewardship work hand in hand to build the church and expand God’s mission.
Why this framework matters for your faith
When we embrace intentional discipleship, our faith moves from just going through the motions to an intentional, daily relationship. Prayer becomes conversation, not obligation. Bible study becomes discovery, not duty. We find ourselves genuinely changed by our encounters with Jesus, not just informed about Him.
When we practise faithful stewardship, our lives gain purpose and direction. Every resource we possess—our pay cheque, our spare time, our natural abilities, our life experiences—becomes an opportunity to partner with God in His mission. Together, these principles answer the deep human need for meaning and significance. We’re not just attending church; we’re advancing God’s kingdom. This framework helps us live with intention, grow with purpose and give with joy.
Faithful stewards of God’s mission
Psalm 24:1 reminds us, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” As stewards, we are caretakers—not owners—of God’s gifts. Our calling is to manage these resources with faithfulness and purpose.
Peter urges us, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace” (1 Peter 4:10). Paul adds, “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Jesus’ parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30) and the widow’s offering (Mark 12:41–44) both teach that what matters most is not how much we have, but how faithfully we use what God has given us. When we live as faithful stewards, our resources—spiritual and material—become instruments of mission. Stewardship is not just about money; it’s about mission partnership.
Guided by inspired counsel
Ellen White ties discipleship and stewardship together beautifully. In Steps to Christ she writes, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature . . . all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This transformation is the essence of discipleship—a life lived under the lordship of Christ. In Counsels on Stewardship she adds, “As stewards of the grace of God, we are handling the Lord’s money . . . God tests us here by committing to us temporal possessions, that our use of these may show whether we can be entrusted with eternal riches.”
Stewardship, then, is a test of trust—a training ground for eternity. Ben Maxson, in Get Normal, expands on this truth, describing stewardship as “a lifestyle lived within the lordship of Jesus Christ—discipleship”. When stewardship flows from discipleship, generosity becomes natural, and mission becomes personal.
Living it out: stories from everyday believers
The power of combining discipleship and stewardship is best seen in real lives—such as those of Sarah and Michael.
Sarah, a single mother, felt her faith dimming until she joined a small Bible study group. Through prayer and community, she rediscovered Jesus and began journalling her gratitude each morning (discipleship). When she offered her photography skills to support church outreach, her photos drew new people to community events and worship (stewardship of talent). Her faith and service became a living witness of Christ’s love in action.
Michael, a retired mechanic, once hesitated to tithe from his small pension. After hearing a sermon on trust, he chose to give faithfully. Soon, an unexpected refund reminded him that God provides. Later, he began mentoring teens in Pathfinders, sharing stories of God’s faithfulness (stewardship of testimony). His walk with Jesus deepened as he poured into others (discipleship).
Stories like theirs capture the essence of missional living: everyday believers growing in discipleship and using their gifts in stewardship to make a difference in their communities. This is what renewal looks like—not in grand programs, but in transformed lives multiplying Christ’s influence one relationship at a time.
A call to renewed purpose
Whether your congregation has formally adopted Mission Refocus or you’re simply seeking to deepen your faith, the call is the same: shift from passive attendance to active discipleship, from occasional giving to intentional partnering, from program maintenance to people transformation.
Discipleship and stewardship together empower this shift. Discipleship gives us purpose; stewardship gives us the tools. Ellen White’s counsel still guides us: Christ’s method alone brings true success—mingling with people, showing sympathy, meeting needs and inviting them to follow Him. That is both discipleship and stewardship in motion.
This approach works because it’s biblical, practical and reproducible. It doesn’t require elaborate structures or budgets—just willing hearts. It transforms churches because it first transforms individuals.
A personal challenge: where will you start?
Mission begins with me. Take a moment to reflect:
- How is Jesus calling me to grow as His disciple?
- How can I use my time, talents, treasure or testimony to advance His mission?
Here are practical first steps: Join a discipleship group or start a Bible study with a friend. Mentor someone younger in faith. Volunteer for a ministry that meets community needs. Commit to regular, proportional giving that supports evangelism and service.
Start small but start today. Let your discipleship guide your stewardship, and your stewardship fuel your discipleship. Together, they form the heartbeat of renewed mission—a movement of believers living and giving for the glory of God and the blessing of others.
This is how personal faith becomes a powerful witness. This is how ordinary church members become extraordinary agents of transformation. The question is not whether your church has adopted Mission Refocus formally. The question is: Will you embrace these principles personally?
The mission begins now. The mission begins with you.
Nicu Dumbrava is the stewardship and discipleship director for the Australian Union Conference.
