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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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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Outreach Process: Our Part, God’s Part?

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Let’s be clear right from the start. Salvation is a work of God (Eph. 2:8-9). He will use us in the process of leading people to Himself but ultimately it is about what HE does, not what we do.

God's Part in the Outreach Process Versus What We Do

God brings the growth yet as seen in 1 Corinthians 3:5-9, we have a part in the planting process and in the watering of that seed. We are “God’s co-workers” who will be responsible for how we build on what God is doing (1 Cor. 3:9-15).

More Thoughts to Help Us Reconcile Our Part in Outreach Versus What God Does

Living according to the principles of God’s Word is critical to being a good testimony.
Yet, despite us doing the right things, God is still the One ultimately responsible for the results (1 Cor. 3:11).
Being adaptable helps us connect with others (1 Cor. 9:19-23) and in turn tends to make people more open to the Gospel.
Yet, in itself that won’t change lives.  God must bridge the gap by His Spirit (1 Cor. 2:13-14).
Praying for family and friends is instrumental in their salvation (1 Tim. 2:1-3).
Yet, the power is found in the One to whom we pray, not in the pray-er or the prayers themselves (1 Tim. 2:4-6).
Providing people with resources to teach them how to be a witness is good (1 Pet. 3:15).
Yet, the most thorough training will not win souls.  God must be at work through us (Zech. 4:6).
Keeping the church on track with the right focus is a vital role of leaders (1 Pet. 5:2-3).
Yet, church leadership can only guide and facilitate the process.  God is the One who brings the growth (1 Cor. 1:25-31).

The Conclusion about the Outreach Process

Salvation truly is a work of God. Yet, we do not merely sit back when it come to outreach and do nothing. We have a part but it still gets back to God. We work in cooperation with Him through His power as we follow His lead. Let’s remember the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:10 —

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them – yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

For Help, Go To: Outreach Resources

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The Greatest Draw in Outreach

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What brings people to Jesus Christ and then to become a part of the local church? What will draw them in and keep them there?

What Might We Depend on to Attract People?

Nice Facilities?

First impressions do matter.  But, what if you can’t afford to renovate or build?  Certainly you can keep your rooms attractively decorated and clutter free. Is that enough?

Innovation?

If you want to reach people where they are, you need to be willing to change.  Adapting to people without losing the content of the truth we proclaim requires lots of insight.  But, is being on the cutting edge enough?

Good publicity?

How will people know what you have to offer if you don’t communicate?  Both verbal and written communication are at the core of salvation as “faith comes by hearing” (Rom. 10:14-17).  Communication is at the core of our educational or discipleship efforts in the church as it is knowing the truth that will set people free (Jn. 8:32).  Is simply letting people know what you have to offer enough?

Dynamic Leadership?

While a leader with a charismatic personality does seem to draw people in, it take various types of leaders to bring balance, health, and growth to the church.  If this kind of leadership team is in place, will that be enough?

What Truly is the Greatest Draw in Outreach?

While all of the above factors, plus others, will contribute to the big picture, none of them can be singled out as the greatest draw in outreach. None of these means alone, or combined, are enough because the greatest and absolutely essential drawing factor is God Himself. Jesus said,

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” (Jn. 6:44)

God doesn’t need our strategic efforts. He can draw people to Himself with or without us. He may choose to use us in the process but a person’s salvation is not dependent on what we do or don’t do. If God did not draw people to Himself, all our efforts would be in vain.

Implications for Our Outreach Efforts

1) Intercessory prayer needs to be made an absolutely vital part of outreach.

Without God in and behind all of this, we will simply have a nice building, great ideas, motivational tools, and skilled people running the church. Be encouraged to stop right now and examine what you are relying on to lead others to the Lord and bring them in to your local church.

Strategies and programs may have a place but Acts 2:42-47 reminds us that our devotion should not be to our methodology but to God Himself and to those things that put us in touch with Him and demonstrate a dependence on Him — like prayer. Of the early church we are told, “They devoted themselves to . . . prayer. . . . And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Intercessory prayer is vital.

2) Make outreach about Him, not us.

Outreach Ministry Putting the Spotlight on Jesus as Our Greatest DrawThe Outreach Ministry Manual, based on the outreach section of this site, has a sub-title that says what outreach needs to be about — “Turning the Spotlight on Jesus.” We must look hard at our outreach practices. Are we showcasing Him or ourselves?

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Results of Making Outreach a Priority

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God sent Jesus “to seek and save the lost” (Lk. 19:10). The results of making outreach a priority, of making His mission our mission, are significant — the difference between life and death for those who put their trust in the One we proclaim. As we reach out with His heart for the lost, people gain a better understanding of His desire that everyone comes into a relationship with Him so they experience eternity with God rather than apart from Him (2 Pet. 3:9).

3 Results of Making Outreach a Priority

1) People become disciples of Jesus.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matt. 28:19-20)

2) Fellowship with those who become Jesus’ disciples is made possible.

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. (1 Jn. 1:3)

3) God is glorified.

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. (2 Cor. 4:15)

Results of Making Outreach as Priority in Church Purpose Ministry ManualThese results are listed in the Church Purpose Ministry Manual which looks at outreach as one of the ways we fulfill our purpose to love people. The manual also provides some questions to reflect on about your approach to outreach.

Learn More: Resources for Outreach Ministry

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Outreach a Priority?

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To love God is to want others to come into a love relationship with Him as well. Hence, outreach becomes a priority.

4 Biblical Reasons Outreach Should be a Priority

Outreach is a Priority Because Jesus Came to Seek and SaveOutreach is wrapped up in the heart and purposes of God.

  1. Outreach is important enough for Jesus’ last command on this earth to be that we go and make disciples of all nations. (Matt. 28:18-20)
  1. It’s part of God’s eternal purpose to send Jesus to seek and to save the lost. (Lk. 19:10)
  1. God patiently waits for more people to learn about Him as He doesn’t want anyone to perish. (2 Pet. 3:9)
  1. Jesus demonstrated God’s love and compassion toward the lost. (Matt. 9:36-38; 23:37)

If reaching out with His love is so important to God, shouldn’t it be for us as well?

The Church Purpose Manual looks at outreach as one of the ways we fulfill our purpose to love God and others.

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