God’s Heart for the World

Beating through YOU!

An urgent need exists for heart transformation through a Missio Dei immersion.

Theological Statements
What The Missio Dei IS
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
What The Missio Dei IS
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

The Missio Dei is Christianity’s central or core teaching and is likewise that of being freely justified for Christ’s sake through faith.

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Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
What the Missio Dei Is NOT
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
What the Missio Dei Is NOT
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

The Missio Dei is not the good works and acts of the church, of man, or of all individuals.

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Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
What Is Missional?
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
What Is Missional?
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

There is no justification and sanctification of the sinner without the sending of Christ and sending of the Holy Spirit (The Great Sending)

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Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
The Twelve Mission Theses
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
The Twelve Mission Theses
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

We believe, teach, and confess that just as God the Father sent (apostello) His Son Jesus into the world, Jesus sends all believers into the world to “seek and save the lost” (Jn. 20:21-23; Lk.19:10).

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Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

A Jubilee

Be engaged as a reader with the truth of God’s gift of freedom from sin and the bold baptismal calling of how each Christian is sent.

his heart beating in us

He invites us into His Mission, He empowers us for His Mission, and He establishes us in His Mission.

Has the LCMS changed?

Discover the history of how the mission, focus, and unity in God’s Sending has unfolded within The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

Missiological Resources
The Dynamic Apostolic Essential elements of the great Sending
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
The Dynamic Apostolic Essential elements of the great Sending
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

The Missio Dei is the central thrust of the Gospel, regardless of which translation or in which language one reads Scripture. The driving force of a sent one (a sent individual or a sent Church) is an open and willing heart and mindset under the power of the Gospel and the Great Sending.

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Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

A MISSIO DEI CATECHISM

A Missio Dei Catechism
INTRODUCTION
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
INTRODUCTION
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

The Missio Dei Catechism is a handbook of sorts to aid pastors and laity in knowing, understanding, and applying the sending of God.

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A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
I — WHAT IS IT?
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
I — WHAT IS IT?
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

Out of God’s love for the fallen world and by His gracious initiative, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to save the lost world that was incapable of saving itself. This is the Missio Dei, the mission rescue act of God.

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A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
II — MEANINGS
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
II — MEANINGS
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

“Missio” is Latin for the Biblical English word “mission,” which is based on the original Greek word for “send,” “sending,” and “sent.”

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A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
III — AUTHORITY
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
III — AUTHORITY
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

God’s mission is centered in Christ, the divine Apostle (Hebrews 3:1), who was the Sent One. In that apostolate (office of sending), He was given the authority to go into the world to be flesh of our flesh to rescue mankind.

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A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
IV — WHY
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
IV — WHY
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

The church needs to repent, be converted and be saved from its selfish war. It can no longer face inward and be an end unto itself. True humility and repentance will lead the church to a commitment, a heart transformation. This is the reset, renewal, and return to God’s Missio Dei, His great sending.

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A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
V — ESSENTIALS
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
V — ESSENTIALS
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

Individual believers and the community of faith do not ascribe their mission unto themselves. Their Sender is Christ, who gives authority in His sending of the believers to be co-heirs and co-associates with Him in His mission to the world.

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Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
VI — APPLICATION
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
VI — APPLICATION
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

If the sent ones fail to participate in God’s Missio Dei essentials, they should expect disaster and eternal consequences. Neglecting God’s Missio Dei leads to chaos and rebellion.

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A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
VIII — SIGNIFICANCE
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
VIII — SIGNIFICANCE
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

Participants are invited to survey the entire Gospel of John to discover how the use of “sent,” “send,” “sending,” and other key words relate to the entire Gospel!

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A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
IX — APOSTOLIC
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
IX — APOSTOLIC
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

For centuries, the Christian community of faith and mission has confessed one holy Christian (catholic) apostolic church in the Nicene Creed. This reflects the Missio Dei.

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A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
X — CHRIST’S PRAYER
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
X — CHRIST’S PRAYER
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

In His High Priestly prayer, Christ prayed for Himself and His mission, He prayed for His disciples and their participation in His mission, and He prayed for all believers and those “who will believe” through their being sent.

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A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
XI — WORLD
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
XI — WORLD
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

Participants are encouraged to read and study John 17 with these questions (and more) in mind.

  • What is the meaning of the “world?”

  • What is the significance of “not of the world?” 

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A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
XII — MEANING OF SENT
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
XII — MEANING OF SENT
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

Because it is the object of Christ’s redeeming love, the world is on the receiving end of the sending of God and the mission of the church. Being sent means that the community of saving faith is fully aware that it is sent to more than the church.

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A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
XIII — THE HOLY SPIRIT
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
XIII — THE HOLY SPIRIT
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

In the great sending of John 20:21-23, Jesus spoke of receiving the Holy Spirit for the mission. In Luke 24:49, Jesus referred to sending the promised “power from on high.” In Acts 1:8, Jesus spoke again of the power when the Holy Spirit comes to empower the believers’ mission of witnessing to the ends of the earth.

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A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
XIV — MEANS
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
XIV — MEANS
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

Through the Holy Spirit, the spoken Word of God, Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and the Office of the Keys are the divinely appointed means of grace that create and sustain saving faith in Christ and His merits.

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A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
XV — SERVING TOGETHER
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
XV — SERVING TOGETHER
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

Participating and serving together as a fellowship of the baptized begins with a relationship with Jesus and a trust in Him. Once we are in relationship with Him, He creates in us a trust in and unity with one another.

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A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
XVI — REPENTANCE
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
XVI — REPENTANCE
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

Repentance, which is a change of thinking and behavior, and forgiveness of sins (Luke 24:47) is essential for Christ-followers to participate in the Missio Dei.

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A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
XVII — PRACTICES
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
XVII — PRACTICES
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

Missional practices, performances, facilities, properties, and arrangements are beneficial aids, which must be aligned to the mission of God.

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A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
XVIII — LEADERSHIP
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
XVIII — LEADERSHIP
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

To equip, restore, perfect, or repair (καταρτισμός or katartismŏs) God’s people for participating in His mission, strong leadership in Christ is required.

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A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
XIX — MOTIVATION
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
XIX — MOTIVATION
A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

How do we motivate ourselves and others to participate in the Missio Dei? That is another big question. The answer to this last Missio Dei catechism question is essential.

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A Missio Dei Catechism
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

important conversations
about the missio dei

Featured
A Missio Dei Immersion Resource
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
A Missio Dei Immersion Resource
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

Are Missio Dei (God’s Sending) and apostolic (sending) foundational and scriptural understandings meant to reflect a heart transformation toward a mission-based attitude and Gospel-centered movement? We should expect this very mission-based attitude and Gospel-centered movement as the Christian Church and her members are sent by Christ, who was sent by the Father into the world, and who together with the Father sent the Holy Spirit.

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Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
Key “great sending” passages of st. john
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
Key “great sending” passages of st. john
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

For God did not send (apŏstĕllō) his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. —John 3:17

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Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
Sending in the context of John 17 and John 20
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns
Sending in the context of John 17 and John 20
Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns

God’s sending for Jesus occurs a total of 35 times in St. John from chapters 3 to 16 (not counting chapters 17 and 20 with 7 more “sending” references in contexts apart from God’s sending for Jesus). Three more “sending” passages occur in John 14, 15 and 16, with references to the sending of the Holy Spirit.

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Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns