What is the Great Commission? I have heard it described as the marching orders of the Church. It, coupled with the Great Commandment, is the mission of the Church in the world. And it incorporates two of the core functions of the Church -- evangelism and disciple making.
There are five New Testament Great Commission passages. Each providing a different window into understanding God’s mission in the world and the mission of the Church (which are one and the same). In John 20:21-22 the emphasis is placed on living as sent out ones. Sent out to live in the same way and to pursue the same purposes that Jesus did. In Mark 16:15, Luke 24:46-49, and Acts 1:8 the emphasis is on evangelism. Demonstrating and proclaiming Christ, both locally and among the least reached globally. In Matthew 28:18-20 the emphasis is on making disciples. With an emphasis on teaching obedience, again both locally and among the least reached globally.
This past week I participated for a third time in the Verge conference. It is an Austin based conference designed for missional community leaders. I am not a missional community leader, but for the past year I have been an active part of a missional community. 12 of us who are building relationships with, serving, and taking Christ to Muslim international students and refugees living in Austin.
The emphasis at Verge this year was on disciple making. This emphasis is nothing new for me. I was weaned on disciple making as a new believer 40 years ago through The Navigator ministry at The University of Texas. A ministry that God in His kindness connected me with just a few months after a very radical conversion from death to life. I trace many of my spiritual roots back to my seven years with this wonderful and often stretching ministry.
Sadly even when truths and practices are engrained early on and become part of our DNA, we can drift from them. We need to be regularly reminded about those things that are core. The apostle Paul said in Romans 15:15a “But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder”. I know that I need regular reminders.
I have found myself more than once over the past four decades slowly drifting from core principles that I have dedicated my life to live around. I need to be regularly reminded of the centrality of these truths and practices. And I need to be closely connected with other individuals that passionately embrace and live out these truths.
The parable of the sower (Matthew 13, Mark 4, Luke 8) speaks about four kinds of soil. Three are undesirable soil, only one is good soil. I am convinced that most Christians in the Western world represent the soil described in Matthew 13:22. “As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the Word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word, and it proves unfruitful.” We are a distracted and unfruitful people.
Distracted principally by the world and the cheap, shiny trinkets she seeks to capture our hearts with. But more subtly, distracted also by things within the four walls of the church building. Bad things like consumerism and religiosity. But also good things like high profile service and leadership roles, looking out for the needs of my family, and opportunities to use my spiritual gifts. These good things often lead to over-involvement in church programs and infrastructure. Which leads to a lack of margin. Which leads to an inability to personally engage in the Great Commission. The good becomes the enemy of the best.
The conference was a good reminder for me of the core nature of making disciples. I am extremely grateful that someone discipled me well as a young believer at UT in the 1970s. And that I have engaged in disciple making pretty consistently for most of the past four decades, but not always with equal passion and resolve. And if I am honest, in recent years with declining passion and resolve.
I need to repent (change directions), and I purpose to do so. I will take some things off my plate so that I can put first things first. I will realign some of my ministry commitments so that disciple making is not an inconsequential side activity, but more of a central focus. And I will start to spend more time with others who are doing the same, so I can keep this emphasis continually before me.
How about you? Be a disciple! Make disciples!
Sunday, March 3, 2013
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