Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:16-20
“‘Go therefore and make disciples of all the 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.’ Amen.”–Matthew 28:19-20
Jesus’ expectations of the newly established church are expressed clearly in the passage known as the Great Commission: make disciples, baptize them and teach them to follow His commandments. This commission is essentially the mission of the church, given by her Author and Founder, Jesus. Executing that mission should be a key standard by which the church evaluates its effectiveness as the body of Christ and the organism through which Jesus ministers to the world.
Cultural and societal changes encourage congregations to explore new means for attracting and retaining members. While those new approaches may support membership growth, that does equate to authentic and reverent fellowship with God and others. Our challenge: congregations can be so inwardly focused that they engage in activities more akin to social networking and entertainment than fulfilling the church’s mission to make disciples.
The Great Commission isn’t about holding church programs that are self-serving and designed to appease our sensibilities. Instead, the Great Commission compels the church to abandon the safety of its walls, discard the comfort of its pews and break out of cozy cliques to unite in common cause and launch out into the world to make a difference.
Jesus’ commission ordains growth in the church. That is a twofold mission: (1) to bring the unsaved into a salvation relationship with Jesus Christ, and (2) to fortify and disciple the congregant to be conformed to the image of their Savior. The Great Commission calls for us to make new disciples (quantity of disciples) but also strengthen the walk of those already in the pews (quality of our discipleship).
The church’s mission is to disciple those inside and reach outside to the world crying out for the relief only Jesus can provide. Is the Great Commission the central theme of what we do as congregations, or even as a person? If not, what are we doing to change that?
Question to Ponder: Can the church still be the church if it isn’t fulfilling its true mission?
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”–2 Peter 3:9
