CHURCH STARTING POINTS
The Great Commission
Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him— but some of them doubted! Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20 NLT
This passage is the climax and a major focal point not only of this gospel, but of the entire New Testament. It is not an exaggeration to say that, in its broadest sense, it is the focal point of all Scripture, Old Testament as well as the New. This central message of Scripture pertains to the central mission of the people of God. — John MacArthur
1. The Great Commission Church is comprised of Great Commission Christians.
“Make disciples of all nations.” Matthew 28:19
This seems obvious, but it requires mentioning. What defines a church is what its people actually do, not what they say or think about themselves. Simply put, a Great Commission church is made up of Christians who make disciples of all nations
The Great Commission church doesn't form committees to discuss it or create groups to talk about it; they do it! They are believers who think being a follower of Jesus Christ means completing His mission. They understand the purpose of the Church is to glorify God by making disciples of all nations. Therefore, they prioritize, and personalize disciple making. They are busy making disciples locally among the unchurched and globally among the unreached. They have a process in place that trains people to make disciples, who make disciples.
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The cost of ignoring non-discipleship Christianity is staggering: We forfeit both a predominantly vibrant church and the fulfillment of the Great Commission. — Bill Hull |
They understand the church has a simple five word job description: make disciples of all nations. The Great Commission Church is just doing what it is directed to do.
The leadership of the Great Commission church realizes that it's God's job to build the church, it's their job to make disciples. (Matthew 16:18) Therefore, their focus is on multiplication, not production.
The leadership of the Great Commission church realizes that it's God's job to build the church, it's their job to make disciples. (Matthew 16:18) Therefore, their focus is on multiplication, not production.
2. The Great Commission Church is inspired by the glory of God.
I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple...then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” Isaiah 6:1,8
The Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-39) fuels the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). The people of the Great Commission church experience the glory of God through worship, THEN carry out the mission of God through their witness. They realize that passionate worship fuels personal witness. They understand the Great Commission is vertical before it's horizontal. What they experience before the throne of God determines what they say in the world about the person of God. The glory of God and the mission of God are linked, but glory always precedes mission.
Resource: The One Thing Study.
Resource: The One Thing Study.
3. The Great Commission Church exalts Son of God.
I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said...Thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:3,4, 57
Saving faith is the priority of the Great Commission Church. The salvation question is this; "Are you trusting in the substitutional death of the risen Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins and eternal life?" The death of Christ defeats our sin, and the resurrection of Christ defeats our death. The two most significant issues people face are their own sin and death. Everyone must deal with the enslaving nature of their own sin as well as the inescapable reality of their own death. For believers, faith in the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ overcomes both. The bloodstained cross and the empty tomb are why followers of Jesus Christ are jubilant in celebration, joyful in praise, and passionate about the mission.
4. The Great Commission Church relies on the Spirit of God.
When he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. John 8:8-11
The Great Commission Church depends upon the Holy Spirit for three things: conviction, conversion, and maturity. They realize that the Holy Spirit convicts people of the sin of unbelief, convinces them of the righteousness of Christ, and informs them about the truthfulness of judgment. John 8:8-11
They know it is the Holy Spirit who converts people by cleansing them of sin, granting them eternal life and placing them in the body of Christ. Titus 3:5 |
You can't bring anybody to Christ. But you can bring Christ to anybody. — Douglas Geivett |
Many people attribute their salvation experience to something they did rather than belief. Often, it's associated with an action prompted by a person. No one has ever been saved by praying a prayer, by going forward to an altar, by raising a hand, or by signing a booklet. Some have been saved WHILE doing those things, but no one has ever been saved BY doing these things, because no one is ever saved by doing anything. Belief is the only basis of saving faith. And even that is generated by God. Matthew 16:15-17
Salvation stories that center on human promptings often include an initial experience of Jesus showing up as Savior, followed by a lengthy gap in time when He shows up as Lord. Either Jesus is both at the same time or the experience was not genuine. It may have been sincere and emotional, but it was not real. (Acts 2:36)
The Great Commission Church also trusts the Holy Spirit to bring about spiritual maturity. They understand that the Spirit of God uses the word of God to bring about obedience to God. Loving community is a necessary ingredient in the sanctification process, but a person won't spiritually mature apart from considerable time interacting with the Holy Spirit through Scripture. (John 17:17)
Salvation stories that center on human promptings often include an initial experience of Jesus showing up as Savior, followed by a lengthy gap in time when He shows up as Lord. Either Jesus is both at the same time or the experience was not genuine. It may have been sincere and emotional, but it was not real. (Acts 2:36)
The Great Commission Church also trusts the Holy Spirit to bring about spiritual maturity. They understand that the Spirit of God uses the word of God to bring about obedience to God. Loving community is a necessary ingredient in the sanctification process, but a person won't spiritually mature apart from considerable time interacting with the Holy Spirit through Scripture. (John 17:17)
5. The Great Commission Church treasures the gospel of God.
For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes. Romans 1:16
The Great Commission Church treasures the gospel, because it transforms people. It doesn't not just improve people, it remakes them. They are convinced of this because they have experienced it first-hand. They are living proof of how the gospel radically changes people. Their testimony is based on what the gospel has done for them.
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You can never tell the wrong person the Gospel. — George Walker |
Additionally, they value the gospel, because it addresses the deepest needs of humanity. Only the gospel provides the love, hope, joy, power, peace, and purpose people desperately need. Only the gospel gives people eternal, forgiven, and abundant life. Only the gospel can rescue a person from eternal separation from God.
6. The Great Commission Church longs for the presence of God.
God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27 NIV
The hope of glory saturates the Great Commission Church. Its people live with an eager expectation of the reality of heaven. They have a joyful anticipation of being in the presence of God. They know they will be immeasurably satisfied, increasingly astonished, and unendingly amazed by the majesty of their glorious King. They are thrilled with the reality of this promise. Read Psalm 17:15; Job 19:25-27
7. The Great Commission Church is driven by the priority of God.
My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says, “Those who have never been told about him will see, and those who have never heard of him will understand.” In fact, my visit to you has been delayed so long because I have been preaching in these places. Romans 15:20-22
The unwavering passion of the Great Commission Church is unreached people. They are a strategic priority because they have no access to the gospel, no chance to hear it, and no opportunity to encounter it. They live in a culture that is Bible-less, church-less, gospel-less, because it is Christian-less. Over 2 billion people live in this condition. They are born, live, and die without ever knowing there is a gospel that can save them. They do not know about the love of God. They have no hope of glory, no joy of forgiveness, no peace, no power over their sin, and no fulfilling purpose. They are destined to spend forever apart from Christ upon death.
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The Bible does not tell us to seek a vision for our lives or ministries—it gives us one. — Jerry Trousdale |
Additional Resources.
- Read What Happens To Those Who Never Hear?
- Watch Reaching the Unreached (4:20)
- Watch Understanding the Remaining Task (6:41)
- Watch State of the world (32:48)
- Watch What Happens to Those Who Never Hear the gospel? (Long Version (57:08), Short Version (9:36)
8. The Great Commission Church responds radically to the mission of God.
I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 21:13
Having experienced the glory of God, the Great Commission Church then embarks on the mission of God with reckless abandon. This type of response is the result of answering two crucial questions. First, "What is it about the gospel that makes it worth giving my life TO?" In other words, why should I trust Jesus Christ? This is the salvation question, and involves surrender. Every person who answers this question in a saving manner eventually comes to the same conclusion. “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12
The second question is, "What is it about the gospel that makes it worth giving my life FOR?" In other words, who will I help believe in Jesus Christ? This is the mission question, and involves sacrifice. Every believer should eventually come to the same conclusion. Read Acts 20:24
How people answer the first question determines their destiny in the life to come. How they answer the second question determines how they engage the mission of sharing the gospel. The first question decides if a person experiences heaven. The second question concludes if others experience heaven. |
Every saved person this side of heaven owes the gospel to every lost person this side of hell. – David Platt |
The Great Commission Church does not want to experience the regret of not fulfilling their purpose. They don't want to miss out on their chance to make an eternal impact for God. Author Steve Saint puts it this way, "I have long dreaded the thought of getting to the end of my life and regretting that I allowed my own timidity or other people's expectations to determine the course of my life... I believe that the Creator has an epic script into which my… presence is written."
Additional Resources:
- Watch Limitless (1:16)
- Watch We're Caged (2:49)
9. The Great Commission Church is discerning about the plans of God.
Each one should carry their own load. Galatians 6:5 NIV
The Great Commission Church makes wise mission decisions. It knows the difference between a mission strategy that is enabling and one that is empowering. An enabling strategy is one that has no eventual hand off. It keeps doing for others what they should eventually do for themselves. It's void of disciple-making. It consists of going on a mission trip, painting a wall, running a VBS, adding a room to a church, and leaves until the following year when it shows up and does the same thing again. This can go on year after year. Often, genuine altruism drives an enabling strategy. Yet, it is not well thought out. It focuses on the front end of the mission, but not the back end. An enabling mission strategy corrupts the gospel. It leads to nominalism. It breeds dependence where there should be independence, and builds a false understanding of what the mission is all about; producing disciple-makers
An empowering mission strategy has an eventual hand off. It follows the three steps of equipping: I do it you watch, you do it I watch, you do it. An empowering ministry is one that has disciple-making at its core. It realizes the need for eventual departure, and even plans for it from the outset.
As painful as it may be, replacing a cherished annual, but enabling church mission trip, with a disciple making alternative, is often the wisest, and most empowering thing a Church can do for others. Great Commission leaders are not hesitant to end enabling ministry to launch empowering multiplication. What if the annual teen mission trip focused on training the people it visited to use local and global disciple making tools instead of running a VBS, painting a building or adding a new room to an existing church? |
Giving to those in need what they could be gaining from their own initiative may well be the kindest way to destroy people. — Robert Lupton |
Resources:
- Read Toxic Charity
- Read Charity Detox
- View Quotes from Robert Luptons' books
10. The Great Commission Church is balanced.
The Great Commission Church has a healthy approach to fulfilling its mission. It sees things from both a local and global perspective. It realizes the needs of the unchurched around them are as important as the needs of the unreached far from them. They invest in resources that help their people make disciples locally and globally. They train them to make disciples locally with anyone, anywhere at any time. They see local disciple-making as a first step in becoming a global disciple-maker. American missionary candidates often overlook the need to become local disciple makers before they travel overseas. It's not uncommon for missionaries to move abroad with little idea of how to make disciples. According to mission agencies, disciple making is the one skill needed most on the mission field.
11. The Great Commission Church understands the times.
From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take. 1 Chronicles 12:32
The Great Commission church is astute about world trends. They know there are three important truths about our times: migration, momentum, and making disciples. At present, there is a worldwide human migration, the magnitude of which has never occurred in history. This migration is towards something and to something. It is towards the United States. One of every five migrants in the world moves to the US. The time is past when we needed to cross an ocean to do mission work; now we just need to cross the street.
The migration is TO the urban centers of the world. The total number of urbanites in 2050 will equal the entire world population in 2008! Stop and read that last sentence again! In 2000 there was one meta city (a city with over twenty million people). That was Tokyo. By 2050 there will be over twenty! The largest, Lagos Nigeria, will top out at sixty-four million! Cities are more gospel strategic than ever before.
The migration is TO the urban centers of the world. The total number of urbanites in 2050 will equal the entire world population in 2008! Stop and read that last sentence again! In 2000 there was one meta city (a city with over twenty million people). That was Tokyo. By 2050 there will be over twenty! The largest, Lagos Nigeria, will top out at sixty-four million! Cities are more gospel strategic than ever before.
Many migrants arrive from countries closed to the gospel; locations where it's difficult to witness and dangerous to do Christian work. They arrive open to new ideas, eager to converse, and welcoming of loving friendships. Do we see immigrants as obstacles to political stability or opportunities for spiritual ministry?
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The scale of the movement of people from one continent to another is unprecedented in history and will be a preoccupation of governments for much of the 21st Century. –Patrick Johnstone |
The momentum of the gospel is shifting. It is no longer centered in the North and is leaving the West. It is moving south and east. For the first time in history, the majority of gospel believers are south of the equator. This phenomenon is called the Global South. For the first time, more people are coming to Christ south of the equator than north. The gospel has moved south into Africa, and is moving east into Asia. More people are coming to faith in Christ in Asia than ever before. Places historically resistant to the gospel are embracing Jesus in numbers never before witnessed. The church in India is growing at an astounding rate. Some estimate the growth at 30 million a year.
It is good news for those in Africa and Asia, but sobering news for the church in the United States. Author Os Guinness states that the spiritual state in the West is a cut flower. He elaborates…
It is good news for those in Africa and Asia, but sobering news for the church in the United States. Author Os Guinness states that the spiritual state in the West is a cut flower. He elaborates…
“A cut flower is when the ideas and principles that once made a country great, have lost its compelling power in ordinary life. This is America’s deepest problem today, and it hits the U.S. especially hard because the American experiment is constituted so much by intention and through ideas. Cut flowers soon die, and so eventually do nations without roots.”1
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The truth about the Church in America is that despite how it looks in a snapshot, it is dying. The church growth rate has not been keeping up with the population growth rate. In other words, an ever-smaller percentage of the population is attending church. Population growth is outpacing church growth, and the gap is widening. Michael Snyder states, "With each passing year, the percentage of Americans that claim no religious affiliation is growing, and this trend is especially pronounced among our young people."2
Regardless of statistics, most would agree that our culture is less influenced by the salt and the light of the gospel than ever. Os Guinness concludes his comments by stating that the great question for the church in the West is, "Will the church reject or recapture its faith?" When Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 that the powers of hell would not prevail against the church, he was speaking of the universal Church, not the local church, as it exists today throughout North America.
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Too many church leaders are perfectly equipped to reach a world that no longer exists. — Carey Nieuwhof |
To recapture the gospel momentum in the West, it will take a valiant return to the teaching that focuses on the glory of God as a means of the mission of God. It will also require fearless leadership that serves the cause of Christ above the concerns of the people they are leading, and a brave generation of believers with a radical commitment to the mission of making disciples of all nations. Author Todd Wilson states,
“It takes courageous leadership to overcome the prevailing addition-growth cultures that has become our measure of success. Courageous leaders will acknowledge and address head-on each of the above tensions. A leader with a multiplication mindset has the opportunity to define and shape the future landscape of Christianity in the West."
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The last thing that is true about our times is making disciples. It is the enduring command of our Lord. It is the one abiding strategy for the church. It's what started the church, sustains the church, and is what can save it from disappearing in the West. Making disciples is the key to moving forward. Jesus' final words, 'I am with you until the end' implies there is no other strategy until his return. Making disciples of all nations is Plan A, and there is no plan B.
In summary, the GCC is aware of the opportunities presented by migration, the loss of gospel momentum, and the urgency of making disciples.
In summary, the GCC is aware of the opportunities presented by migration, the loss of gospel momentum, and the urgency of making disciples.
Resources
- View: Lausanne.org
- Read: Mission Frontiers Magazine
- Read: Os Guinness
- Read: Future of the Global Church
- Watch: The Christian Faith and the Coming Century (31:18)
12. The Great Commission Church prays.
They all met together and were constantly united in prayer. Acts 1:14
Prayer dominates the calendar of the Great Commission Church. There are annual prayer campaigns, quarterly prayer events, monthly prayer gatherings, weekly prayer strategies, and daily prayer tools.
The Great Commission Church prays for several reasons. First, prayer unleashes the power of God. Near the midpoint of the book of Acts (12:1-11), we find an example of this principle when the church's earnest prayer resulted in an angel releasing Peter from his imprisonment in a Jerusalem jail. The Great Commission Church prays for this kind of expression of God's power.
Second, prayer unveils the plans of God. The beginning of Acts 13 provides a glimpse of the value of worshipful prayer and fasting. The leaders of the church in Antioch were gathered for prayer when the Holy Spirit directed them to send Barnabas and Saul as missionaries. As the GCC prays (and fasts) about who is to go out, the Holy Spirit makes his plans evident.
Third, prayer unchains the gospel of God. Summary observations of the book of Acts reveal the relationship between prayer and the spread of the gospel. The gospel spreads in a citywide fashion (Chapter 1) because the church was "constantly united in prayer" (Acts 1:14). It then moves on a national scale (Chapters 4-12) as the church "lifted their voices together in prayer" (Acts 4:24). It then becomes a global gospel (Chapters 13-28) by crossing cultures as the Church "gathers" for prayer (Acts 12:12). The Church prayed, and the gospel spread. In summary, the GCC prays because it opens doors, propels missionaries, and spreads the gospel.
The Great Commission Church prays for several reasons. First, prayer unleashes the power of God. Near the midpoint of the book of Acts (12:1-11), we find an example of this principle when the church's earnest prayer resulted in an angel releasing Peter from his imprisonment in a Jerusalem jail. The Great Commission Church prays for this kind of expression of God's power.
Second, prayer unveils the plans of God. The beginning of Acts 13 provides a glimpse of the value of worshipful prayer and fasting. The leaders of the church in Antioch were gathered for prayer when the Holy Spirit directed them to send Barnabas and Saul as missionaries. As the GCC prays (and fasts) about who is to go out, the Holy Spirit makes his plans evident.
Third, prayer unchains the gospel of God. Summary observations of the book of Acts reveal the relationship between prayer and the spread of the gospel. The gospel spreads in a citywide fashion (Chapter 1) because the church was "constantly united in prayer" (Acts 1:14). It then moves on a national scale (Chapters 4-12) as the church "lifted their voices together in prayer" (Acts 4:24). It then becomes a global gospel (Chapters 13-28) by crossing cultures as the Church "gathers" for prayer (Acts 12:12). The Church prayed, and the gospel spread. In summary, the GCC prays because it opens doors, propels missionaries, and spreads the gospel.
Every major breakthrough for the church in the book of Acts came about as a direct result of prayer. God performed mighty works for the propagation of the gospel and the declaration of his glory in direct proportion to the prayers of his people. —David Platt
Resource
- Watch: You Don't Need Prayer When... (1:43)
13. The Great Commission Church is Bible centered.
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16
The GCC is anchored to the Scriptures. Each one is a Bible Church. They preach, teach, and study it. They trust, contemplate, and rely upon it. They believe in, adhere to, and agree with it. They are guided by, obedient to, and encouraged by it. They submit to, are sustained by, and supplied by it. They are anchored to Scripture because they believe God authored it. They believe it originated from Him— that he created its content as he spoke through various men who then wrote down what He intended.
Furthermore, they believe God preserved the content such that today's version of the Scriptures is accurate, truthful, and reliable. Therefore, they hold the Bible as authoritative over all the ideas and opinions of man.
Furthermore, they believe God preserved the content such that today's version of the Scriptures is accurate, truthful, and reliable. Therefore, they hold the Bible as authoritative over all the ideas and opinions of man.
The GCC allows the Scriptures to define its purpose, direct its organization, and guide its activities. While all of Scripture contributes towards an understanding of how God wants people to do life with each other, they pay special attention to the New Testament for guidance and direction of corporate life.
The GCC allows the words of Scripture to invade their personal lives. They realize that the Word of God is "living and active, able to penetrate to the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 12:4) They understand that the truths of the Bible spark revival, are wise, bring joy, give insight, and provide warning in ways that nothing else does. (Psalm 19:7-14)
The GCC allows the words of Scripture to invade their personal lives. They realize that the Word of God is "living and active, able to penetrate to the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 12:4) They understand that the truths of the Bible spark revival, are wise, bring joy, give insight, and provide warning in ways that nothing else does. (Psalm 19:7-14)
14. The Great Commission Church operates with urgency.
But let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short. 1 Corinthians 7:29
When it comes to spreading the gospel, there is no sense of delay. They do not procrastinate. Everything functions as if time is of utmost importance. They operate at the same pace as shipping companies during the Christmas rush. They are working overtime. There are three reasons for this.
First, they realize time is short. They understand this age is coming to an end; that we are closer now than we have ever been to the culmination of all things. The rapture is imminent. The Tribulation is approaching. Nothing else in God's plan awaits its sudden occurrence. The GCC realizes we are in the "last hour" of the last days. (1 John 2:18). Which begs the question, If we were in the last hour of the last days over two thousand years ago when John penned those words, would it be safe to assume we are in the last minutes of last hour now?
Second, the GCC operates with urgency because the harvest is ripe. (John 4:35) They realize that God is causing more people than ever to be open to eternal, forgiven, and abundant life. God is orchestrating geopolitical events such that more people are searching for love, joy and hope than at any time in history. John 10:16
More Muslims are coming to Christ than at any time in the previous thirteen centuries is evidence that Islam is losing its hold on its people. God is using human migrations of historical proportions to bring millions in touch with the love of God, who until now remained unreached by the gospel.
Whether it's global upheaval, human migration, national unrest, or personal crisis, people are searching. They are longing for the joy of forgiveness, the hope of heaven, peace of God, power over sin, and a fulfilling purpose that only the gospel provides. For millions of people worldwide and many we cross paths with, today is their day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Third, the Great Commission church has a sense of urgency because people unreached by the gospel are dying. On average, throughout the world, 150,000 people die each day. If forty percent are unreached, then 60,000 people enter a Christ-less eternity every twenty-four hours. That is a stadium full of people. This is atrocious. It is unacceptable. It is the biggest challenge facing the Church today. It is her most vital mission. It alone is reason enough to operate with a sense of urgency. John MacArthur states, "There is only one reason the Lord allows His church to remain on earth: to seek and to save the lost, just as Christ’s only reason for coming to earth was to seek and to save the lost… fellowship, teaching, and praise are not the mission of the church, but rather the preparation of the church to fulfill its mission of winning the lost."3
In summary, the GCC realizes there is no time to waste because God is bringing this age to a close. It strives to accomplish its mission with urgency and resolve because people are searching… and dying.
First, they realize time is short. They understand this age is coming to an end; that we are closer now than we have ever been to the culmination of all things. The rapture is imminent. The Tribulation is approaching. Nothing else in God's plan awaits its sudden occurrence. The GCC realizes we are in the "last hour" of the last days. (1 John 2:18). Which begs the question, If we were in the last hour of the last days over two thousand years ago when John penned those words, would it be safe to assume we are in the last minutes of last hour now?
Second, the GCC operates with urgency because the harvest is ripe. (John 4:35) They realize that God is causing more people than ever to be open to eternal, forgiven, and abundant life. God is orchestrating geopolitical events such that more people are searching for love, joy and hope than at any time in history. John 10:16
More Muslims are coming to Christ than at any time in the previous thirteen centuries is evidence that Islam is losing its hold on its people. God is using human migrations of historical proportions to bring millions in touch with the love of God, who until now remained unreached by the gospel.
Whether it's global upheaval, human migration, national unrest, or personal crisis, people are searching. They are longing for the joy of forgiveness, the hope of heaven, peace of God, power over sin, and a fulfilling purpose that only the gospel provides. For millions of people worldwide and many we cross paths with, today is their day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Third, the Great Commission church has a sense of urgency because people unreached by the gospel are dying. On average, throughout the world, 150,000 people die each day. If forty percent are unreached, then 60,000 people enter a Christ-less eternity every twenty-four hours. That is a stadium full of people. This is atrocious. It is unacceptable. It is the biggest challenge facing the Church today. It is her most vital mission. It alone is reason enough to operate with a sense of urgency. John MacArthur states, "There is only one reason the Lord allows His church to remain on earth: to seek and to save the lost, just as Christ’s only reason for coming to earth was to seek and to save the lost… fellowship, teaching, and praise are not the mission of the church, but rather the preparation of the church to fulfill its mission of winning the lost."3
In summary, the GCC realizes there is no time to waste because God is bringing this age to a close. It strives to accomplish its mission with urgency and resolve because people are searching… and dying.
Resource: Watch One Life (4:23)
15. The Great Commission Church is well led.
If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. Romans 12:8
Business guru Peter Drucker states, "Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things." GCC leaders do the right things. They don't get hung up doing things right. They assign that job to managers (Deacons; Ministry Teams). They lead by realizing that doing the right things encompasses four elements; understanding, structuring, maintaining, and modeling the purpose of the Church.
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Multiplication of disciples and churches demands that you look to the New Testament as your guide rather than modern church culture. — Ralph Moore |
The GCC leaders understand that the purpose of the Church is to glorify God by making disciples of all nations. That one statement encompasses the vision (glorify God), the mission (make disciples), and the goal (of all nations) of the Church. The Church does not need to find its purpose; it needs to fulfill it. The purpose is given in the Great Commission. GCC leaders realize this. They don't spend precious time forming committees to develop witty purpose statements, generate catchy mottos, or create slick logos that may be attractive but not aligned. They keep a laser-like focus on fulfilling the purpose of the Church. They evaluate every program, process, policy, and all personnel by asking one question, "Does this help us accomplish our purpose?"
The GCC leaders structure for the purpose reverse engineering. They identify the end product and work towards it. They start with Christians who make disciples of all nations, then structure for that result. They know that Jesus began with the end in mind when he said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). They realize they too need to structure for the outcome at the outset. They understand failing to develop a clear pathway towards this endpoint will result in the church becoming bogged down in the process. The first to last approach will result in a church that will start at Gather, slow at Grow, and never get to the Go phase. It needs to be last to first to get results.
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When the form of our church life no longer allows for the expression of its God intended function, we must move to change the form. — Dave Höng |
GCC leaders also maintain the purpose of the Church. It is one thing to understand the purpose of the Church. It's another thing to keep the ship pointed in the right direction. There are three strong crosswinds they need to sail against to stay on course. The first is new leadership, especially in the Senior Pastor position. This crosswind occurs when a new candidate is winsome and charismatic. There is a tendency to compromise the purpose by yielding to the celebrity status of a popular leader. The GCC leadership does not allow a new leader to modify its purpose, no matter how persuasive. They inform leadership of the purpose, not the other way around. Stating the purpose in defining documents (By laws) is the best way to stay on course. Carving it in stone makes it permanent.
The second crosswind is resistance to change. It involves attracting a newer generation of people while maintaining former generations. Healthy GCC is attractive to multiple generations. New generations require new approaches. GCC leadership recognizes the difference between purpose and practice. The purpose is indispensable. The practices are not. The GCC does not wed itself to practice. Churches anchored in tradition (practices) become irrelevant. Every Church has a natural tendency to develop sacred cows. But as author and Pastor, Rick Warren states, "Sacred cows make great hamburgers."
One measure of the health of a Church is how well they relinquish traditions and end programs that no longer help them fulfill their purpose. Drucker states, “Every organization today has to build into its very structure the management of change.” Einstein put it this way, "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them."
There are many solutions to multiple generational issues. When instructed well, many older congregants welcome a wise change in practices that attract and nurture younger generations. However, when an older generation does not embrace new methods, it can be hard. The GCC leadership navigates this crosswind with prayer and wisdom, but holds the rudder steady and does not change course, regardless of results.
The second crosswind is resistance to change. It involves attracting a newer generation of people while maintaining former generations. Healthy GCC is attractive to multiple generations. New generations require new approaches. GCC leadership recognizes the difference between purpose and practice. The purpose is indispensable. The practices are not. The GCC does not wed itself to practice. Churches anchored in tradition (practices) become irrelevant. Every Church has a natural tendency to develop sacred cows. But as author and Pastor, Rick Warren states, "Sacred cows make great hamburgers."
One measure of the health of a Church is how well they relinquish traditions and end programs that no longer help them fulfill their purpose. Drucker states, “Every organization today has to build into its very structure the management of change.” Einstein put it this way, "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them."
There are many solutions to multiple generational issues. When instructed well, many older congregants welcome a wise change in practices that attract and nurture younger generations. However, when an older generation does not embrace new methods, it can be hard. The GCC leadership navigates this crosswind with prayer and wisdom, but holds the rudder steady and does not change course, regardless of results.
The third crosswind is the tension between the good and the great. The good may be an enjoyable seasonal program, a fun annual event, or a popular ministry. But it lacks one key element. It doesn't contribute towards the purpose of the Church. Winding down and curtailing these programs can be painful and unpopular, but must be done to resource the one great thing that allows the Church to accomplish its purpose. Church leadership must be willing to say no to the good for the sake of the great.
Keeping things simple, few, and focused on the Great Commission requires a willingness to please God more than man. It requires endurance, courage, and steadfastness. It means being thick-skinned but tender-hearted. It requires holding tight to the rudder. You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. Psalm 119:1 The Message |
Lt. Col. James “Maggie” Megellas is the most decorated officer in the history of the Army’s 82nd Airborne division. When asked the secret to his success, he said, “It is simple. I lead from the front instead of commanding from the rear.” |
GCC leaders model the purpose of the Church by making disciples themselves. They do what they tell others to do. They can say, "Imitate me" because they practice the Great Commission in their own lives. People learn what it means to make disciples by watching how these leaders do it in their personal lives.
They model it by sharing personal stories about disciple-making from the pulpit, when teaching a class, leading a small group, or conversing with others. They are walking, talking examples of the Great Commission in action and attitude. They are enthusiastic supporters and genuine practitioners of the purpose of the Church.
Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 1 Timothy 4:12
In summary, GCC leaders comprehend, design, hold to, and exemplify the purpose of the church.
They model it by sharing personal stories about disciple-making from the pulpit, when teaching a class, leading a small group, or conversing with others. They are walking, talking examples of the Great Commission in action and attitude. They are enthusiastic supporters and genuine practitioners of the purpose of the Church.
Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 1 Timothy 4:12
In summary, GCC leaders comprehend, design, hold to, and exemplify the purpose of the church.
16. The Great Commission Church has a simple strategy.
- On the first day of the week, we gathered with the local believers to share in the Lord’s Supper. Acts 20:7 NLT
- Grow into a full experience of salvation. 1 Peter 2:2 NLT
- Go and make disciples of all the nations. Matthew 28:19 NLT
Most Churches begin with a simple strategy because they start small. At the outset, they have limited resources, modest finances, and minimal facilities. However, as they grow, they become convoluted. Over time the simple becomes complex. Complexity consumes simplicity every time. Activity eventually substitutes for accomplishment. Busyness takes the place of productivity; commotion replaces efficiency. Ministries begin to stifle the movement. The key to keep this from happening is adopting and following a simple strategy aligned with the purpose, designed to expand and accessible to everyone.
A straightforward strategy aligned with the purpose of the Church is the 3G strategy. The three Gs are: Gather, Grow, and Go. A Church that gathers in grows up and goes out. The GCC gathers people in, grows them up, and trains them to go out. It gathers to pray and celebrate, grows through small groups and ministry teams, and goes through a school, church planting, and disciple-making teams. These are the critical areas of focus of the Great Commission Church.
A straightforward strategy aligned with the purpose of the Church is the 3G strategy. The three Gs are: Gather, Grow, and Go. A Church that gathers in grows up and goes out. The GCC gathers people in, grows them up, and trains them to go out. It gathers to pray and celebrate, grows through small groups and ministry teams, and goes through a school, church planting, and disciple-making teams. These are the critical areas of focus of the Great Commission Church.
The GCC offers opportunities for people to Gather, Grow, and Go. Many Churches focus on one or two of these, but don't provide all three. When this happens, people either attend for what they need, then move elsewhere. Or they stay and become stagnant. Neither alternative is healthy.
A simple strategy is expandable. Most Churches design their organizational plan to fill the sanctuary and parking lot. If they grow, they face overcrowding. The numerical increase can create its own set of problems that, if not solved well, harm long term growth. The GCC structures for expansion by doing three things; master planning the mother facility, raising leaders for daughter works, and creating ministry teams. |
We should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Acts 15:19 NLT |
It is amazing how many Churches engage in a building campaign, but don't master plan beyond the next build. In this case, failing to plan is planning to fail. The GCC master plans well beyond the next build. They have five and ten-year master plans in place.
The GCC designs for expansion by raising up leaders for new works. It requires a vision for training others to take the lead role in church plants. The GCC does not believe every Pastor needs years of training at an off-site seminary. In many cases, seminaries only train students to take over existing pulpits instead of beginning new works. In doing so, they thwart the spread of the gospel. Most Bible schools now offer online options that enable the local church to train potential church leaders on site.
The GCC also designs for expansion by creating ministry teams. It is a crucial element in keeping the structure simple. Ministry Teams are a big deal in the GCC.
The GCC designates a person for the leadership of this area of ministry, be it paid staff or a volunteer. Ministry teams target various aspects of the Church. There is no limit to the number or type. The GCC is not afraid to form lay ministry teams that do the work usually assigned to paid staff, such as hospital calls, home visitation, counseling, and even funerals and weddings. The creation of a ministry team was the solution to a problem that resulted in further growth of the New Testament Church (Acts 6:1-7).
The GCC designs for expansion by raising up leaders for new works. It requires a vision for training others to take the lead role in church plants. The GCC does not believe every Pastor needs years of training at an off-site seminary. In many cases, seminaries only train students to take over existing pulpits instead of beginning new works. In doing so, they thwart the spread of the gospel. Most Bible schools now offer online options that enable the local church to train potential church leaders on site.
The GCC also designs for expansion by creating ministry teams. It is a crucial element in keeping the structure simple. Ministry Teams are a big deal in the GCC.
The GCC designates a person for the leadership of this area of ministry, be it paid staff or a volunteer. Ministry teams target various aspects of the Church. There is no limit to the number or type. The GCC is not afraid to form lay ministry teams that do the work usually assigned to paid staff, such as hospital calls, home visitation, counseling, and even funerals and weddings. The creation of a ministry team was the solution to a problem that resulted in further growth of the New Testament Church (Acts 6:1-7).
The 3G strategy is accessible to everyone; it is flexible enough to exist in a traditional and non-traditional format. The traditional format would include meeting in a Church building. The non-traditional format might consist of a meeting in the community room of a local apartment building or a park.
The 3G strategy can exist in multiple formats. The GCC does not fish with one net because they know that it takes different nets to catch different fish. The principles of strategy are static (Gather, Grow, and Go), but the application of those principles is varied. They encourage the contextualization of the 3Gs.
The 3G strategy can exist in multiple formats. The GCC does not fish with one net because they know that it takes different nets to catch different fish. The principles of strategy are static (Gather, Grow, and Go), but the application of those principles is varied. They encourage the contextualization of the 3Gs.
The GCC knows there is one thing worth caring about; the gospel of Jesus Christ. They develop and hold to a simple strategy that draws people in, raises them, and sends them out. They make sure the strategy of the church is not an obstacle for anyone seeking to know Jesus, wanting to grow in Jesus or desiring to go for Jesus.
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The greatest enemy of the ambition to see Jesus worshiped in the nations is lack of focus. — Floyd McClung |
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17. The Great Commission Church is united in purpose.
I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 1 Corinthians 1:10
There is a common theme that dominates the GCC; a shared language permeates conversations. Everyone is on the same page about the mission of the Church. They may not all agree about the minute details, but they are united about the main thing. They speak as one about the priority of making disciples of all nations. The GCC is united in purpose because they are more committed to the mission than methods. They are more passionate about why the Church exists than how it exists. They care more about the purpose of the Church than the practices of the Church. They realize the Church does not exist for them. It exists for God's glory.
They are so busy carrying out the purpose of the Church they don’t have time or energy to fuss or squabble about the practices or traditions of the Church.
They embrace the truth that a Great Commission church is a factory not a warehouse. It's not a place to store people, but a place that produces people. It understands the purpose of the church is not to create great Christians but Great Commission Christians.
This type of unity is winsome. It builds upon itself. This type of Church draws the curious, attracts the convinced, and is irresistible to the committed. It's the kind of Church that breaks the image of being inward-focused, membership-driven because it's outward-focused, mission-driven.
They are so busy carrying out the purpose of the Church they don’t have time or energy to fuss or squabble about the practices or traditions of the Church.
They embrace the truth that a Great Commission church is a factory not a warehouse. It's not a place to store people, but a place that produces people. It understands the purpose of the church is not to create great Christians but Great Commission Christians.
This type of unity is winsome. It builds upon itself. This type of Church draws the curious, attracts the convinced, and is irresistible to the committed. It's the kind of Church that breaks the image of being inward-focused, membership-driven because it's outward-focused, mission-driven.
18. The Great Commission Church is messy.
We all stumble in many ways. James 3:2
This isn't a contradiction to the previous Starting Point. A messy church doesn't mean a divided Church. Nor does it mean a chaotic Church. Instead, it just means it's not a perfect Church. The GCC is the first to admit it isn't problem-free. They would say THEY are the cause of most of their problems. As long as there are people present, there will be problems.
It is why the Epistles spend so much time talking about relationships among Christians. The overarching principle about how to relate within the Body of Christ is summarized by the phrase love one another. (John 13:34) It's explained with words like honor, harmony, accept, instruct, wait, serve, help, patience, kindness, forgive, compassionate, submit, teach, admonish, counsel, encourage, confess, host.
The GCC doesn't hide its faults behind the facade of perfectionism. Neither does it avoid dealing with sin in the Body of Christ. It isn't surprised or thrown off course when its people do wrong. Instead, it deals with issues as they arise, according to the principles of Scripture. It applies the law to the proud and grace to the humble.
It is why the Epistles spend so much time talking about relationships among Christians. The overarching principle about how to relate within the Body of Christ is summarized by the phrase love one another. (John 13:34) It's explained with words like honor, harmony, accept, instruct, wait, serve, help, patience, kindness, forgive, compassionate, submit, teach, admonish, counsel, encourage, confess, host.
The GCC doesn't hide its faults behind the facade of perfectionism. Neither does it avoid dealing with sin in the Body of Christ. It isn't surprised or thrown off course when its people do wrong. Instead, it deals with issues as they arise, according to the principles of Scripture. It applies the law to the proud and grace to the humble.
19. The Great Commission Church thinks big.
God wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 2 Timothy 2:4
Not every GCC grows to thousands. Many won't double their attendance regularly. Most won't face the challenge of overcrowding issues related to limited seating or too few parking spaces. And yet, the GCC thinks big. Thinking big doesn't always result in becoming big, at least not as most Churches measure big. Most evaluate big using the ABCs: attendance, buildings, and cash.
There are other ways to measure Big. One is to evaluate how SOGY the congregation is; how many are Supporting Others and how many are Going out? Another way is by figuring how many daughter Churches exist rather than the size of the mother Church. Big is also determined by how people define the concept of church. Can a mother Church give birth to a ministry that is entirely different in style yet still be considered a church?
As author Rick Warren states, "You measure the health or strength of a church by the sending capacity rather than the seating capacity. Churches are in the sending business. One of the questions we must ask in evaluating a church's health is, how many people are fulfilling the Great Commission?"
The bottom line is that GCCs thinks big. There are three reasons for this. The first is because God thinks big. To align with God’s thinking, one must think big.
There are other ways to measure Big. One is to evaluate how SOGY the congregation is; how many are Supporting Others and how many are Going out? Another way is by figuring how many daughter Churches exist rather than the size of the mother Church. Big is also determined by how people define the concept of church. Can a mother Church give birth to a ministry that is entirely different in style yet still be considered a church?
As author Rick Warren states, "You measure the health or strength of a church by the sending capacity rather than the seating capacity. Churches are in the sending business. One of the questions we must ask in evaluating a church's health is, how many people are fulfilling the Great Commission?"
The bottom line is that GCCs thinks big. There are three reasons for this. The first is because God thinks big. To align with God’s thinking, one must think big.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20,21
The GCC understands that God wants to expand its boundaries. They are always sacrificing methods on the altar of purpose so they can align with His big thinking paradigm. They are not afraid to pray like Jabez. There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers… He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request. I Chronicles 4:9-10
The GCC is not afraid to take the average number of attendees over a particular time, add a zero, and pray for God to lead to that end. It means a Church of 200 asks God, how to become a Church of 2,000 and that a Church 2,000 would ask God to show them how to become a Church of 20,000! It means a Church of 20,000 would not be content until God shows them how to become a Church 200,000. Do the math for the next number, and it still falls short of God's big thinking because He wants everyone saved. It is God-sized thinking. It requires allowing God to redefine terms, restructure ministry, redo paradigms. It means letting Him recalibrate procedures, reorient leadership, and redirect the congregation.
Pastor Steve Gladen, in his book, Small Groups with a Purpose, tells the story of his Senior Pastor Rick Warren walking into staff meeting one day and asking how many groups were in place. "About 300" was Steve's response. Rick then said, "That's great. Add a zero. Let's start 3,000." Steve responded by saying they would have to change their strategy to reach that number. Rick replied, "Great, change the strategy," then left the room. After recovering from the shock of his statement, they did just what Rick asked and have since surpassed the 3,000 number. A strategy is the servant of purpose. The purpose of the Church is to be the agent through which God reaches the whole world. That means everyone. That requires thinking big.
The GCC understands that God wants to expand its boundaries. They are always sacrificing methods on the altar of purpose so they can align with His big thinking paradigm. They are not afraid to pray like Jabez. There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers… He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request. I Chronicles 4:9-10
The GCC is not afraid to take the average number of attendees over a particular time, add a zero, and pray for God to lead to that end. It means a Church of 200 asks God, how to become a Church of 2,000 and that a Church 2,000 would ask God to show them how to become a Church of 20,000! It means a Church of 20,000 would not be content until God shows them how to become a Church 200,000. Do the math for the next number, and it still falls short of God's big thinking because He wants everyone saved. It is God-sized thinking. It requires allowing God to redefine terms, restructure ministry, redo paradigms. It means letting Him recalibrate procedures, reorient leadership, and redirect the congregation.
Pastor Steve Gladen, in his book, Small Groups with a Purpose, tells the story of his Senior Pastor Rick Warren walking into staff meeting one day and asking how many groups were in place. "About 300" was Steve's response. Rick then said, "That's great. Add a zero. Let's start 3,000." Steve responded by saying they would have to change their strategy to reach that number. Rick replied, "Great, change the strategy," then left the room. After recovering from the shock of his statement, they did just what Rick asked and have since surpassed the 3,000 number. A strategy is the servant of purpose. The purpose of the Church is to be the agent through which God reaches the whole world. That means everyone. That requires thinking big.
The second reason to think big is that disciple-making results in big. The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted! Matthew 13:23
Disciple-making causes the gospel to spread exponentially. This kind of growth consists of constant doubling. It's the most expansive concept known to humanity. Few stop to consider the ramifications of something that grows by a factor of 30, 60, or 100-fold. Make disciples, and you'll grow really big. Making disciples expands the kingdom, extends the gospel, and enlarges the church like nothing else. No other strategy comes close, because disciple-making involves multiplication — exponential growth, constant doubling.
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Exponential growth starts slowly and remains disarmingly out of sight. Yet it builds strength relentlessly until it grows too large to ignore. — Greg Blonder |
To put this into perspective, doubling one grain of rice just sixty-four times (one for each square of a chessboard) would result in one million grains on the twentieth square and one billion grains on the fortieth square. On the last (sixty-fourth) square, there would be enough rice to cover India fifty feet deep. It is why Einstein called exponential growth the single most significant force in the universe.
The third reason to think big is that the current state of the Church demands big. Over 4,000 churches close their doors every year. Over 1,000 open their doors every year. That is a deficit of 3,000 per year. It has been going on for decades. Over 80% of churches are plateaued or declining. Furthermore, of the remaining 20 percent, 16 percent are growing through the addition (attractional model), 4 percent are growing through reproduction (multi-site), and statistically, zero percent are growing through multiplication.
The third reason to think big is that the current state of the Church demands big. Over 4,000 churches close their doors every year. Over 1,000 open their doors every year. That is a deficit of 3,000 per year. It has been going on for decades. Over 80% of churches are plateaued or declining. Furthermore, of the remaining 20 percent, 16 percent are growing through the addition (attractional model), 4 percent are growing through reproduction (multi-site), and statistically, zero percent are growing through multiplication.
Regardless of the numbers, most would agree that the gospel in America is influencing public life and political policy less than ever before. The Church is less salty than it's ever been. Things are getting worse, not better. A measurable turnaround demands big thinking because the deficit has been in place for so long. The percent of the population who attend Church is less now that ever and it's getting smaller. The percentage of people holding a biblical worldview are fewer than at any time in the history of our country. Churches can no longer afford to think in terms of adding a few people at a time. They need to think big, exponentially big. They need to pray and plan for adding hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands and beyond.
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Can the church stop its puny, hack dreams of trying to make a difference in the world and start dreaming God sized dreams of making the world different? — Leonard Sweet |
The GCC thinks big because God thinks big, disciple making results in big and the spiritual condition of the country demands big.
20. The Great Commission Church is inspired by the heroes of the faith.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1
Pioneers instill vision. Trailblazers make us want to follow in their footsteps. The Bible is full of the accounts of such people. When studied, they cause us to discard burdensome sin and embrace a never quit mentality. They trigger the desire to live all out for Jesus regardless of opposition or outcome. Hebrews 11 is full of the accounts of real-life heroes that teach us lessons that make us want to live all out for Jesus no matter what.
The GCC is well-read and familiar with the lives of these people: Hudson Taylor, C.T. Studd, William Carey, David Livingstone, Lottie Moon, Florence Young, Amy Carmichael, Sundar Singh, Eric Liddell, Richard Wurmbrand, Jim Elliott, Nate Saint, Rachel Saint, Brother Andrew and many more. Many of these are written about in the excellent biographical series by Janet, and Geoff Benge called Christian Heroes: Then and Now.
Whether it is heroes from the bible or champions of history, the lives of the GCC are influenced and shaped by those of whom it is said, "The world was not worthy of them." Hebrews 11:30 NIV
- Abel teaches us that a God-honoring life echoes far beyond our last breath.
- Enoch teaches us the blessings of a God-pleasing life.
- Noah teaches us the value of obedience in an unbelieving culture.
- Abraham teaches us many valuable lessons. First, going out for God doesn't always including knowing the end point. Second, he shows us that going is motivated by being focused on the eternal destination. Last, he teaches us that radical obedience is the result of a firm belief in the resurrection power of God.
- Isaac teaches us to trust in God’s promises.
- Jacob teaches us to worship to the end.
- Joseph also teaches us to trust in God’s promise and rely on his providence.
- Moses' parents teach us about courage.
- Moses teaches us there is great reward in rejecting earthly treasures for God’s call, even if it means suffering. His life also shows that boldness comes from a steady focus on God and that great leaders warn people of the wrath of God.
- The Israelites teach us to move forward even when safety requires the supernatural.
- Joshua teaches us that simple acts of faith can have profound results… Jericho.
- Rahab teaches us the importance of befriending God’s people.
The GCC is well-read and familiar with the lives of these people: Hudson Taylor, C.T. Studd, William Carey, David Livingstone, Lottie Moon, Florence Young, Amy Carmichael, Sundar Singh, Eric Liddell, Richard Wurmbrand, Jim Elliott, Nate Saint, Rachel Saint, Brother Andrew and many more. Many of these are written about in the excellent biographical series by Janet, and Geoff Benge called Christian Heroes: Then and Now.
Whether it is heroes from the bible or champions of history, the lives of the GCC are influenced and shaped by those of whom it is said, "The world was not worthy of them." Hebrews 11:30 NIV
21. The Great Commission Church has a biblical view of suffering.
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So, let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4
The GCC is wide awake to the reality of suffering. It knows its people will encounter hardships while bringing the gospel to difficult and dangerous places. They realize there are two great truths govern a proper understanding of suffering. The first is that it's inevitable. Everyone is going to experience pain. Notice James uses the word "when" not "if" while speaking about suffering in the passage above. There are three reasons for this. The first is because of the presence of the sin nature in our own lives. Just because we are redeemed does not mean we don't sin. When we do sin, it can mess things up.
The second reason is because of the brokenness of the world. Adam's sin corrupted everything. From world views down the molecular level. It's why political ideologies oppose the spread of the gospel and persecute those who lead the way. It's why there are diseases, illnesses, and death. It's also why people lie, steal, and kill. It's why there are drought, famine, and floods. The answer to all this suffering is sin.
The third reason is that there is are real and powerful forces that oppose the spread of the gospel. Christians suffer because they face an enemy resolved to prevent a witness to those who have yet to respond. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Ephesians 6:12 (The Message)
The second reason is because of the brokenness of the world. Adam's sin corrupted everything. From world views down the molecular level. It's why political ideologies oppose the spread of the gospel and persecute those who lead the way. It's why there are diseases, illnesses, and death. It's also why people lie, steal, and kill. It's why there are drought, famine, and floods. The answer to all this suffering is sin.
The third reason is that there is are real and powerful forces that oppose the spread of the gospel. Christians suffer because they face an enemy resolved to prevent a witness to those who have yet to respond. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Ephesians 6:12 (The Message)
The second great truth that governs suffering is that it is essential. Suffering is necessary. There are two reasons for this. First is because suffering causes us to change our perspective about God. The intended result of pain is that we "won't spend the rest of our lives chasing our own desires, but be anxious to do the will of God." (1 Peter 4:2) Suffering purges us of stubborn, self-centered habits. Its outcome should be purity and unbridled passion for the things of God. It aligns us with the purposes of God.
The second reason is that it causes us to long for heaven. It increases our desire for eternity. Few things in this life create a yearning for heaven more than hardship. The harder it is on earth, the more we desire what it will be like in heaven. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So, we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things, we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
The GCC realizes sin creates suffering. Therefore, it's inevitable—but also necessary.
The second reason is that it causes us to long for heaven. It increases our desire for eternity. Few things in this life create a yearning for heaven more than hardship. The harder it is on earth, the more we desire what it will be like in heaven. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So, we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things, we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
The GCC realizes sin creates suffering. Therefore, it's inevitable—but also necessary.
22. The Great Commission Church is aware of mission drift.
Mission drift occurs when an organization starts in the right direction, but drifts off course. If it does so is over a long enough period, recovery can be very challenging. The GCC pays close attention to the letters to the Churches in Revelation because they know they speak to them. They know that despite all the good things that might be happening if they are not diligent about staying on course, they too could hear the haunting words, "But this I have against you…"
They know they are not immune to drift; they recognize they have just as much a tendency to wander off course as the Churches in Revelation. They are alert to any of the following warnings the Holy Spirit might have for them.
They know they are not immune to drift; they recognize they have just as much a tendency to wander off course as the Churches in Revelation. They are alert to any of the following warnings the Holy Spirit might have for them.
But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Revelation 2:4
This is the drift from the personal towards the impersonal, from relationships towards programs. This drift is typical among two types of Churches. The first is the one that has experienced a steady decline or a prolonged plateau in attendance. They become desperate to grow and hurriedly import a packaged strategy not founded on relationships.
The other church that experiences this drift is the one that experiences rapid growth. They become overwhelmed by the sudden increase in numbers and quickly implement a spiritual growth process that is classroom-based and lecture driven (often in the form of a video presentation). Even though the gatherings are smaller in number, it is still not personal. In both instances, the spiritual growth paradigm is informational, not transformational. That is because they leave out the two critical ingredients in transformational growth; love and truth. Demonstrations of love and personalized discussions of truth (the Bible) are essential to spiritual maturity.
The GCC resists the temptation to replace relationships with programs. It makes sure teaching in the growth phase incorporates small groups that include two key elements mentioned above—love and truth. It also makes sure training in the Go phase consists of the two core features of modeling and coaching.
This is the drift from the personal towards the impersonal, from relationships towards programs. This drift is typical among two types of Churches. The first is the one that has experienced a steady decline or a prolonged plateau in attendance. They become desperate to grow and hurriedly import a packaged strategy not founded on relationships.
The other church that experiences this drift is the one that experiences rapid growth. They become overwhelmed by the sudden increase in numbers and quickly implement a spiritual growth process that is classroom-based and lecture driven (often in the form of a video presentation). Even though the gatherings are smaller in number, it is still not personal. In both instances, the spiritual growth paradigm is informational, not transformational. That is because they leave out the two critical ingredients in transformational growth; love and truth. Demonstrations of love and personalized discussions of truth (the Bible) are essential to spiritual maturity.
The GCC resists the temptation to replace relationships with programs. It makes sure teaching in the growth phase incorporates small groups that include two key elements mentioned above—love and truth. It also makes sure training in the Go phase consists of the two core features of modeling and coaching.
But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin. Similarly, you have some Nicolaitans among you who follow the same teaching. Revelation 2:14,15
This is the drift towards compromise. The false teaching that causes people to stumble into sin. It's the Church that might allow a teacher to emphasize the liberty we have IN Christ but not the obligation we have TO Christ. Grace without gratitude, redemption without responsibility, salvation without sacrifice, membership without mission. It promotes freedom, but it mutes judgment. It focuses on the grace of God to the exclusion of the justice of God. It is quick to speak about the love of God but slow to speak of the wrath of God.
The GCC makes sure that the whole character of God is on display in its teachings from the entire counsel of God. It emphasizes grace but not the exclusion of obedience.
This is the drift towards compromise. The false teaching that causes people to stumble into sin. It's the Church that might allow a teacher to emphasize the liberty we have IN Christ but not the obligation we have TO Christ. Grace without gratitude, redemption without responsibility, salvation without sacrifice, membership without mission. It promotes freedom, but it mutes judgment. It focuses on the grace of God to the exclusion of the justice of God. It is quick to speak about the love of God but slow to speak of the wrath of God.
The GCC makes sure that the whole character of God is on display in its teachings from the entire counsel of God. It emphasizes grace but not the exclusion of obedience.
But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols. Revelation 2:20
This is the drift of appeasement. It's the Church whose leadership is timid in its response towards someone whose teaching is drawing people away from obedience to Christ. Usually, the type of person who needs confronting has celebrity status. He or she may be very popular. Someone who is winsome but not wholesome, charismatic in character, but not orthodox in theology. Someone who assumes a unique title (notice how Jezebel called herself a prophet in verse 20) and claims exclusive knowledge of Scripture (note the phrase deeper truths in verse 24).
The GCC leadership does not shy away from their obligation to confront a teacher who is drawing people away from radical obedience. No one in the GCC is too important to face and, if necessary, discipline.
This is the drift of appeasement. It's the Church whose leadership is timid in its response towards someone whose teaching is drawing people away from obedience to Christ. Usually, the type of person who needs confronting has celebrity status. He or she may be very popular. Someone who is winsome but not wholesome, charismatic in character, but not orthodox in theology. Someone who assumes a unique title (notice how Jezebel called herself a prophet in verse 20) and claims exclusive knowledge of Scripture (note the phrase deeper truths in verse 24).
The GCC leadership does not shy away from their obligation to confront a teacher who is drawing people away from radical obedience. No one in the GCC is too important to face and, if necessary, discipline.
I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. Revelation 3:1
This is the drift towards what is popular (and away from what is right). It's the church that may have shifted from the saving gospel to the social gospel. It may be socially active but is spiritually asleep. It may aim for decisions for Christ but not dedication to Christ. It may have popular and fun programs, but at expense sharing a gospel, some find intrusive. Commentator Alan Johnson states, "It may be that they had so made peace with the surrounding society that the offense of the Cross had ceased, and they were no longer in jeopardy of life or vulnerable to suffering."
The GCC maintains the essence of the gospel by emphasizing the guilt and responsibility of man, the mercy and wrath of God, the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus, and faith alone as the only means of experiencing eternal life.
This is the drift towards what is popular (and away from what is right). It's the church that may have shifted from the saving gospel to the social gospel. It may be socially active but is spiritually asleep. It may aim for decisions for Christ but not dedication to Christ. It may have popular and fun programs, but at expense sharing a gospel, some find intrusive. Commentator Alan Johnson states, "It may be that they had so made peace with the surrounding society that the offense of the Cross had ceased, and they were no longer in jeopardy of life or vulnerable to suffering."
The GCC maintains the essence of the gospel by emphasizing the guilt and responsibility of man, the mercy and wrath of God, the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus, and faith alone as the only means of experiencing eternal life.
“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. Revelation 3:15-17
This is the drift towards complacency. It is typical of the Church that views itself as healthy and vibrant. It's the Church, whose sole aim is to manage what is has. It's a Church that has lost its passion for the lost—one where there is no sense of urgency when it comes to spreading the gospel. There is no importance attached to sending people out. It may be due to the success and size of its programs. It scores high on the ABCs of ministry (attendance, buildings, and cash) but low on its pace of getting the gospel to the lost. Especially the global lost —the unreached.
They are not traumatized by the fact that over 40% of humanity is unreached by the gospel. They aren't bothered that the unreached live in a culture that is Bible-less, gospel-less, church-less because it is Christian-less. They are not troubled by the fact that over 2 billion people face eternity apart from Christ. The knowledge does not haunt them that over eighty percent of all Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus worldwide do not know a Christian. They don't see this as the greatest crisis facing the Church. They don't understand it as her most significant challenge.
The GCC has a palpable sense of urgency regarding the mission of God. It's passionate about getting the gospel to those who need to hear it most —the unreached. It is doggedly determined to use disciple-making as the means of making it known. It is always challenging its people to become SOGY (Support Others or Go Yourself). They are preoccupied with making disciples among the unchurched so they can make disciples among the unreached.
This is the drift towards complacency. It is typical of the Church that views itself as healthy and vibrant. It's the Church, whose sole aim is to manage what is has. It's a Church that has lost its passion for the lost—one where there is no sense of urgency when it comes to spreading the gospel. There is no importance attached to sending people out. It may be due to the success and size of its programs. It scores high on the ABCs of ministry (attendance, buildings, and cash) but low on its pace of getting the gospel to the lost. Especially the global lost —the unreached.
They are not traumatized by the fact that over 40% of humanity is unreached by the gospel. They aren't bothered that the unreached live in a culture that is Bible-less, gospel-less, church-less because it is Christian-less. They are not troubled by the fact that over 2 billion people face eternity apart from Christ. The knowledge does not haunt them that over eighty percent of all Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus worldwide do not know a Christian. They don't see this as the greatest crisis facing the Church. They don't understand it as her most significant challenge.
The GCC has a palpable sense of urgency regarding the mission of God. It's passionate about getting the gospel to those who need to hear it most —the unreached. It is doggedly determined to use disciple-making as the means of making it known. It is always challenging its people to become SOGY (Support Others or Go Yourself). They are preoccupied with making disciples among the unchurched so they can make disciples among the unreached.
You cancel the word of God in order to hand down your own tradition. Mark 7:13
Another drift, not mentioned in Revelation, is the drift of vocabulary. It occurs when a church substitutes cultural terms for biblical terms. It can be very subtle. For instance, it takes place by using the word discipleship in place of disciple-making, and the word missional instead of mission. Neither of the terms discipleship or missional appears in the original language of the bible. They may exist as passage headings, but not in the text of Scripture. They are not divinely inspired terms. Scripture is not the anchor point for the definition of these terms. Thus, discipleship or missional can refer to any church program, process, or event. Churches can drift from the Great Commission by doing discipleship and by being missional instead of making disciples and fulfilling the mission. It seems trivial, yet is deceptively significant.
Another drift, not mentioned in Revelation, is the drift of vocabulary. It occurs when a church substitutes cultural terms for biblical terms. It can be very subtle. For instance, it takes place by using the word discipleship in place of disciple-making, and the word missional instead of mission. Neither of the terms discipleship or missional appears in the original language of the bible. They may exist as passage headings, but not in the text of Scripture. They are not divinely inspired terms. Scripture is not the anchor point for the definition of these terms. Thus, discipleship or missional can refer to any church program, process, or event. Churches can drift from the Great Commission by doing discipleship and by being missional instead of making disciples and fulfilling the mission. It seems trivial, yet is deceptively significant.
Jesus replied, “And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God?" Matthew 15:3
Yet another drift, found in the Gospels, is the drift of priorities. It consists of changing THE mission of the church to A mission of the church. It occurs when the Great Commission becomes a piece of the pie instead of the center. As one mission agency put it, the Great Commission goes from being "the heartbeat of the church [to being] caged, and relegated to a single department."
Tell tale signs of this drift include the formation of a mission committee, and the display of a world map with pictures of missionary families linked to the countries in which they serve, with colored yarn. When this occurs, missions become the concern of a few instead of the passion of everyone. Overseas workers become strangers instead of family members.
Yet another drift, found in the Gospels, is the drift of priorities. It consists of changing THE mission of the church to A mission of the church. It occurs when the Great Commission becomes a piece of the pie instead of the center. As one mission agency put it, the Great Commission goes from being "the heartbeat of the church [to being] caged, and relegated to a single department."
Tell tale signs of this drift include the formation of a mission committee, and the display of a world map with pictures of missionary families linked to the countries in which they serve, with colored yarn. When this occurs, missions become the concern of a few instead of the passion of everyone. Overseas workers become strangers instead of family members.
Additional Resources.
- View Eastwest diagram
- Watch Pray for the Church (3:53)
- Read Mission Creep
23. The Great Commission Church is a movement, not a ministry.
The Great Commission Church thinks in terms of churches, not just church. Replication is in its DNA. From the outset, the vision includes a plan that spreads locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. The structure of the mother church is a template for future churches. They strategize to reach millions, not hundreds or thousands. Unending multiplication is the goal.
The Great Commission church gives the attendee the clear impression there is something bigger than what meets the eye. That is because there is much more going on than what occurs in the building. Statements about vision, expansion, and dreams make it obvious the church is not just thinking about its self, but is praying and planning for much more. Phrases like daughter churches, on-site pastor training, and launch teams are part of the church vocabulary.
One way to illustrate the movement concept is by contrasting a campfire (ministry) with a wildfire (movement). See the resource below.
The Great Commission church gives the attendee the clear impression there is something bigger than what meets the eye. That is because there is much more going on than what occurs in the building. Statements about vision, expansion, and dreams make it obvious the church is not just thinking about its self, but is praying and planning for much more. Phrases like daughter churches, on-site pastor training, and launch teams are part of the church vocabulary.
One way to illustrate the movement concept is by contrasting a campfire (ministry) with a wildfire (movement). See the resource below.
Resource
24. The Great Commission Church multiplies.
Great Commission churches plant other Great Commission churches. They reproduce themselves through a three-step strategy. First, they train people to start and lead churches. They don't raise people to host micro-sites or satellite venues, but to assume the role of the teaching pastor. They don't shortcut the training process by defaulting to meeting sites that transmit video to other locations.
Second, they release their planters. This means they give them the freedom to lead according to giftedness and the setting. While they do require the church plants to be 3G churches, that follow the Gather, Grow, and Go paradigm, but give freedom in the expression of those principles.
Third, they coach their planters. They maintain an ongoing relationship of encouragement with those they have sent out. This remains true for those in local, regional, national, or global settings.
Second, they release their planters. This means they give them the freedom to lead according to giftedness and the setting. While they do require the church plants to be 3G churches, that follow the Gather, Grow, and Go paradigm, but give freedom in the expression of those principles.
Third, they coach their planters. They maintain an ongoing relationship of encouragement with those they have sent out. This remains true for those in local, regional, national, or global settings.
25. The Great Commission Church is joyful.
Despite everything mentioned above, the overriding atmosphere is one of joy. The reason for this is because disciple-making is so fulfilling.
Partnering with people as they gather, grow, and go for Christ satisfies like nothing else. This is the main reason Paul referred to those he ministered to, as his joy. (Philippians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20) This remains true, regardless of how difficult the circumstances. Nothing compares to witnessing new birth in Christ, observing genuine spiritual maturity, and watching disciples multiply.
It's just like our Father to command us to do what we enjoy most. The Great Commission church knows this and does everything it can so its people can experience the joy of disciple-making. It's truly joyful being part of the Gather, Grow and Go process in a Great Commission church. |
The ordinary people of God, equipped with the Word of God, empowered by the Spirit of God, dedicated to the Son of God, can accomplish the mission of God. —Tony Merida |
26. The Great Commission Church is participating in the overarching plan of God.
For as the waters fill the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the Lord. Habakkuk 2:14 NLT
God's ultimate plan is to make his glory known everywhere. Through creation, He displays his splendor, power, eternality and goodness. (Romans 1:18-20; Psalm 19:1-6; Acts 14:17) However, it is through the redeemed that He demonstrates his love and witnesses about the gospel. The Great Commission church has a sense that they are just doing their part in helping fulfill God's long held design to make himself known to all peoples everywhere.
- Os Guinness, Os Guinness - The Christian Faith and the Coming Century - YLG2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnuJgjj16dA&feature=emb_logo, accessed February 14, 2021
- Michael Snyder, Mass Exodus From The Church: The Percentage Of Young Adults With No Religious Affiliation Has Nearly QUADRUPLED Since 1986, July 9, 2018 by IWB, Accessed February 14, 2021 https://www.investmentwatchblog.com/mass-exodus-from-the-church-the-percentage-of-young-adults-with-no-religious-affiliation-has-nearly-quadrupled-since-1986/
- John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Matthew 22-28 (Olive Tree Bible App, Version 6.9.2) notes on Matthew 28:16