Craig Cabaniss closed out our Pastors Conference with a message on mission, focusing on the sending of the disciples in John 20:19–23. Craig opened with a series of questions:

I want to begin tonight with a question, an awkward question, but a serious question: Is this appropriate? Is it appropriate that at a time like this, facing what we're facing, that we have a message on our mission? We've been navigating some difficult waters. And to close our conference with a focus on mission, does that possibly distract our attention from where it really should be focused upon pressing needs? Is it really important to talk about mission at a time like this?...

If reading the example of the New Testament churches teach us anything it is this: the gospel continues to grow and bear fruit even when the church faces problems—external problems and internal problems; and the churches in the New Testament all have plenty of problems. Yet even in seasons of difficulty there is forward motion with the progress of the gospel. The gospel mission doesn't go on pause in the New Testament when challenges arise. In church history, the gospel mission doesn't go on pause whenever there's a problem so that the church can address the problem. That's not what happens. If that's what happened, none of us would be here tonight.

The Lord is pleased to extend his mission through a limping church to reach a dying world.

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