God’s Mission for the Church Revisited

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Jesus commands us to “Go and make disciples” (Matt. 28:19-20). According to the Barna group, many people in the U.S. Church today don’t know what the Great Commission is. Though the term itself isn’t found in the Bible, we need to ask if people know the words themselves and their significance for us as believers. Even more important, are we fulfilling this mission? Perhaps it’s time to revisit God’s Mission for the Church.

A Look at Jesus’ Command in Matthew 28:19-20

Often we think of the Great Commission as the outreach arm of the Church. A careful look at Matthew 28:19-20, however, lets us know that it’s much more encompassing. We are to …

“go and make disciples of all nations” — That’s the outreach part. We take the Good News of Jesus to the world around us and beyond (Acts 1:8).

“baptizing … and teaching them to obey …” — That’s helping people who have put their trust in Jesus to become more fully devoted followers (disciples) of Jesus.

Let’s Not Limit the Great Commission to Outreach Efforts

Matthew 28:19-20 commissions us to not only lead people to the Lord but also to shepherd them in the ways of the Lord. This is the mission of the Church. It isn’t merely about how many new converts we make. It’s also about how many of those people are going on to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and mind, so that His love spills over into loving others as themselves (Matt. 22:36-40). And, it’s about how many of those people are doing their part in the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:16).

Need Help Revisiting God’s Mission of Discipleship?

Discipleship Bundle to Help with God's Mission for the ChurchThe TrainChurchLeaders.com site has a section devoted to this encompassing view of the Great Commission. The MinTools.com site divides it into two sections, one on Outreach Ministry and another on Shepherding Ministry. You’ll find much written on these sites but even more help if you order the Discipleship Bundle. In that resource you’ll get the Steering the Church Toward Discipleship Leadership Guide, Outreach Ministry Manual, and Shepherding Manual. These resources will help you gain a more comprehensive view on our mission to go and make disciples. (Each of those resources can also be ordered separately.)

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God’s Design for Body Life Revisited

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A section of the MinTools.com site has been devoted to Body Life, God’s design for the Church. It not only considers what the Bible teaches about it but also what it looks like for us to function as God intends. The TrainChurchLeaders.com site encourages leaders to steer the Church toward Body Life by their example, not just their words. As we look at the current state of the Church, perhaps we would do well to revisit God’s design for the Body and then the responsibility we each have in it.

Body Life Defined Through an Analogy

Scripture refers to the Church as the Body of Christ. Jesus is the Head and we are members of the Body, suggesting that we belong to one another. Take time to revisit what God says about His design for the Church to function as a Body:

Ephesians 4:11-16
Romans 12:1-21
1 Corinthians 12:14-26

To help us think about the analogy of the Church as a Body, consider these realities about the human body:

  • The human body is a unit (one) made up of many parts.
  • Each part is important and needed.
  • Each part has a function that contributes to the whole.
  • Parts of the human body function interdependently.
  • Parts of the human body are dependent on the brain for growth, health, and directives.

God, therefore, intends for the Church to function similarly.

Implications for the Church as a Body

If the Church is to function similar to the human body, then Body Life is how we relate to one another in ways that demonstrate:

  1. unity out of diversity … every part important and needed
  2. interdependence on one another … every part contributing to other parts
  3. dependence on the Head … every part living according to directives from Him

Need Help Revisiting God’s Design for Body Life in the Church?

Body Life BundleIn addition to content provided on the sites mentioned above, check out the Body Life Bundle. The Body Life Ministry Manual builds off of the content on the MinTools.com site whereas the Steering the Church Toward Body Life Leadership Guide stems from content from the TrainChurchLeaders.com site. Together, these two resources provide a more comprehensive look at God’s design for Body Life in the Church but they can also be ordered individually.

More: Body Life Resources

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Exalting God Above All Else

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Exalting God Above All Else
I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. (Ps. 34:1-3)

If asked how to exalt God, what would you say? You may be quick to respond that we exalt God through words of praise as well as through songs of worship. But, don’t end there.

Ways of Exalting God Above All Else

When we exalt God, we’re lifting Him up above all else, singling Him out as the One of whom there is no greater. It’s easy to speak or sing about how great God is but living like it reveals what we truly believe in our hearts. As the saying goes — actions speak louder than words.

We exalt God when we value what He views as important.

We’re saying that His opinions and heart are supreme, hence, exalting Him.

We exalt God when we obey His commands.

We’re saying that His ways are best, hence, exalting Him.

We exalt God when we line up what we do with His Word, following His ways.

We’re saying that He is the final standard, hence, exalting Him.

We exalt God when we help other people in their struggles by pointing them to God.

We’re saying that He is the ultimate source of strength, comfort, peace, and hope, hence, exalting Him.

Let’s live a life of worship, exalting the Lord above all else!

For More, Go To: Implications for the Worship Leader & Individual Worshiper

Need a reason to exalt God above all else? Check out His many attributes in the Our Great God from A to Z Discipleship Tool Download which provides alphabetical listings of who God is.

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4 Truths to Remember on When Vacationing

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VacationsVacationing provides a time to get away and relax, have fun, and perhaps strengthen relationships with a spouse, family, or friends. We can benefit from a change of pace and environment. Even God took a break from His labor when He created the world (Gen. 2:2).

On Vacation? Remember These 4 Truths When Vacationing

While we can benefit from taking a vacation, we must remember the following:

  1. Our walk with God never takes a vacation so maintain time with Him.

God doesn’t take a break from us. He wants us to enjoy life with Him wherever we are and in whatever we do. Neither does our enemy wait for our vacation to end. — “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Pet. 5:8)

  1. Our lives always teach so maintain integrity and patience in all you do.

Travel headaches, waiting in lines, mounting costs, and other common vacationing stresses can wear on our patience. We might be tempted to lose our temper or justify lying, cheating, or shortcuts. Those with whom we vacation are watching and learning. — “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31)

  1. Our church goes on without us so maintain giving and prayer support.

Giving should be planned and regular. Paul exhorted the Corinthian church to “set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up” (1 Cor. 16:2). When vacationing, give extra the week before you leave or the week after you return. Or, send your church a check or use an online giving platform if your church has one. Also remember to pray for those continuing on while you are gone. “Always” in Ephesians 6:18 suggests we should be praying for our fellow believers even while on vacation — “be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

  1. Our opportunities to be a witness expand so maintain an outward focus.

Some people use vacation time to take missions trips so the opportunities are obvious. Taking a fun-filled vacation still provides opportunities to reach out to others if you keep your eyes open. — “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Col. 4:5-6)

Bottom Line: Enjoying a vacation doesn’t mean we set aside our walk with God. We’re Christ-followers 24-7 no matter where we are or what we’re doing … whether working, serving, or just relaxing.

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What a Worship Service!

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The book of Revelation describes numerous worship services where the focus is on the Lord and on the Lord alone. — No distractions. No controversy over preferences in how to worship. No misdirected focus onto a worship leader.

Here’s one glorious scene:

Heavenly Worship Service of Our Worthy LordThen I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Rev. 5:11-14)

In an earlier scene around the throne of God, the elders fell down in worship and cast their crowns before the throne exclaiming, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” (Rev. 4:9-11) — Notice how they laid their crowns (rewards) down at His feet. The Lord deserves it all.

Can We Experience a Similar Worship Service Now, Here on Earth?

We might say, “In heaven we will have glorified bodies, a new heart, and a new mind. We won’t face the distractions we have now. Worship will come easy then!” While that might be true, let’s not use that as an excuse. We can learn from this heavenly worship scene.

  • We worship the same Person, who is now worthy of all praise, honor, adoration. He will be no more worthy in the future than He is now.
  • We can lay down our preferences and perceived entitlements now. How insignificant some of the controversy surrounding worship here will seem in heaven!
  • We can be overcomers now, though in this world we have trouble according to Jesus (Jn. 16:33). The Holy Spirit who dwells within believers will help us worship in spirit and in truth (Jn. 4:24) in these earthly bodies, with our sin tainted hearts and minds.

Let’s not wait until heaven to truly worship. May we now focus our worship services on Him and Him alone!

For More on Worshiping, Go To: Worship Resources

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Are We Ready for Conversion Growth?

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If we experienced the conversion growth of the Early Church, would we be ready? To be sure, the rapid, and even daily, growth in the Early Church was a phenomenon of its beginning days. That, of course, doesn’t mean we can’t see regular conversion growth in our churches today. For that to happen, though, we must observe two points about their growth:

  1. The Church fostered an environment conducive to such growth (Acts 2:42-47a).
  1. God was the One who “added daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47b).

God isn’t going to entrust us with more if we aren’t faithful with what we have. In Jesus’ Parable of the Talents, we read that those who faithfully invested what their master gave them received more. — “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” (Matt. 25:14-30)

Questions to Ask about Our Readiness for Conversion Growth

We can’t have an occasional outreach efforts and expect regular conversion growth in our churches. We must devote ourselves to that which is conducive to such growth. We must be ready for it. Based on what Acts 2:42-47 tells us about what the Early Church devoted themselves to, here are some questions to ask about our readiness for God to regularly add to our churches those who are being saved. (Clicking on links below each question will take you to online equipping to become more ready in that area.)

  • Is our teaching and shepherding ministry ready to take those whom the Lord adds to the next step … to help people grow spiritually, becoming more and more Christ-like through equipping, discipling, mentoring, etc.?

Christian Education Ministry
Shepherding Ministry
Teaching Ministry

  • Do we have an ongoing plan for assimilating people into fellowship … to help them find belonging as members of His family?

Body Life

  • How devoted are we to praying for and with people … to help them rely on His power as they commune with Him?

Prayer Ministry

  • Are we willing to share of our time and resources with people in their times of need, struggles, crisis, etc. … to help them know first hand the love of God toward them?

People Helping Ministry

  • Is our worship truly about the Lord … to help people glorify Him, causing them to stand in awe of Him?

Worship Ministry

Church leaders, click this link for more to consider about: Church Growth

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