The Scope of the Work: How to Minister When You’re Not in the Field

It’s funny, isn't it? When I first came back from my mission, I expected the feeling of authority to be physical—a sash, a specific assignment, maybe a massive crowd gathered in the chapel. I pictured the kind of ‘big moment’ that only a formal setup could provide. But the truth, the deeply humbling truth, is that the authority isn't attached to a zip code or a schedule; it’s attached to the Spirit, and the mission field is literally everywhere.

Studying the accounts of Jesus sending out the Twelve is a powerful reminder of this. The scope of the mission wasn't limited to the borders of Galilee or the immediate vicinity of the Temple. It was boundless. It was global, and it was generational.

The Apostolic Mandate in the Digital Age

In the video, Jesus gives the Twelve specific, physical instructions: “I’m sending you out in every direction… to the lost sheep of the House of Israel… you will proclaim… you will heal the sick and the lame by anointing them with oil.” These instructions are wonderfully concrete, yet they contain profound principles that are absolutely relevant to us today as Internet missionaries.

What stands out to me most, after watching the clip and reading the scriptures, is the sheer *size* of the task. When the disciples questioned the parameters—'How soon are we talking about?' or 'We’re not nearly qualified enough'—Jesus’s response was always to broaden the scope. He didn't say, 'Just do what you can do right now.' He said, 'This message is not just for the thousands that were there; it was for all who will hear it from now until the end of the age.'

This is the ultimate mission-prep skill, isn't it? When you feel overwhelmed by the scope of the work—the billions of people, the complexity of the modern world, the sheer scale of the mission—you must remember that the message is for *all who will hear it* until the end of the age. Our role is not to solve every problem, but to simply proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

Authority Over Feeling

The dialogue between Jesus and the disciples highlights a critical point about divine authority. When they questioned, 'Is this a ceremony?' or 'Do I need to feel anything?', Jesus answers with a quiet certainty: 'I don't need you to feel anything to do great things.' This is a lesson for every member who feels they aren't 'ready' enough to participate in the work.

We often wait for the next milestone, the next training day, or the perfect combination of spiritual feelings before we feel authorized to be disciples. But the pattern here is clear: the authority is given *now*, and the work begins *now*. As Latter-day Saints, we are called to exercise the authority we have been given, even when we are just students. We don't need to be perfect; we just need to be obedient.

When the Message is Rejected

Jesus also addresses the inevitable resistance: 'If anyone should not receive you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet.' This is perhaps the most practical, yet most difficult, counsel in the entire passage. It teaches us that our job is to deliver the message with truth and love, and our job is *not* to manage the reception of that message. We sow, and the Spirit does the rest. If the Spirit isn't working, we don't waste our time and move on.

This is the essence of the Internet missionary. We don't get to linger in a conversation that is clearly unproductive or resistant; we deliver the message, and then we move on to the next soul, trusting the Savior to do the heavy lifting. We keep going, because the mission field is vast, and the Lord’s capacity to redeem is limitless.

If this talk has stirred your spirit and reminded you that the work is bigger than you, I want to invite you to join our next free weekly Disciple Challenge. It’s a perfect way to practice the mindset of the missionary—to keep moving and keep proclaiming, no matter what the response is. Come prepared to be challenged and encouraged!

And for those who want to deepen their understanding of divine authority and modern mission parameters, I highly recommend revisiting the teachings of Avraham Gileadi. His book, *The Power of the Word*, is a phenomenal read and is available in LivingBook. Keep studying, keep serving, and know that you are already equipped for the calling.