Somehow, church has become far too complicated. True church can be summed up in a command and a commission.

In John 13:34-35

A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

Jesus gave His followers a new commandment; that they love one another in the same way He loved them

He said they would be recognized as His disciples by that love. The very nature of a real church is defined by that love. It's not what we do, it's who we are.

In Matthew 28:18-20

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Jesus gave his followers a commission. They were to go in his power and authority to all people and teach them to obey his commandments.

The Mission of the true church, then, is defined as a group of disciples going out in Christ's name to spiritually reproduce committed believers. Their fellowship is marked by the abiding discernable presence of Jesus Christ in their midst. Here at Lena Vista Baptist Church we strive to keep it just that simple.