The Not So “Great” Commission?
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Wed, November 15, 2006
- Viewed 39
- (13) comments so far
First we must remember that it was the interpreters of scripture which labeled the Chapters, Verses, and passages that we see throughout the Bible. They found something “special” in this passage that they decided to give it the unforgettable moniker “The Great Commission.”
If Jesus meant “Go” to mean that some of us were being called by God to travel overseas and proclaim the gospel then this “Great” Commission is only relevant to a select few individuals that actually heed God’s call. But wasn’t Jesus speaking to all His disciples in this passage? It would seem so and this may be the reason why interpreters put such a lofty title on this passage. In other words what’s so great about a commission that is meant for so few? What makes this commission so great is that God desires all of His children to join in! “Go” is better interpreted here; “As you go into the world” or even “Wherever your life’s journey takes you make disciples and teach them.”
Is overseas mission’s irrelevant? By no means – they are awesome! However, that does not mean that for the rest of us our life’s journey becomes nothing more than attending a church 1-2 times per week and “chipping in” for others to “go” and make disciples! This type of thinking has helped anesthetize our churches into forgetting that God has decided that He will increase His base of followers in the United States through the church too! Ironically mission’s agencies haven’t forgotten about this truth hence the United States is now the largest RECEIVING nation for missionaries! In other words the world wide church sees the United States as a fertile ground for the gospel while the local church here doesn’t. How sad. God wants His church to become both “missional” and “incarnational” and giving money to missionaries is NOT the primary way of becoming who it is that God wants His church to become. There are now mission’s agencies who have ministries that focus on assisting churches here in becoming more “missional” in their local communities!
The result has been that too many of our older churches exist to hear a sermon and take a weekly collection that allocates most of its “program” & ministry money to its missionaries leaving the rest of the church (local evangelism, education, children, youth, property maintenance, music, and technology) to suffer as a result. How can a church operate in such a way and expect to survive? We’ll pay missionaries to reach out to other nations and cultures in love and compassion. We’ll pay missionaries to build new buildings and add new technologies and get up to date educational materials. I believe that all of these endeavors should be encouraged and partnered in – BUT NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF EVERY OTHER MINISTRY IN THE LOCAL CHURCH!
How did we get to this state? I’m certain there are many reasons but let me list some; fear of witnessing, fear that our lives won’t match up to our words, fear of rejection, a lack of confidence in God and our own faith, a lack of confidence in our knowledge of scripture, and finally a lack of love for other people! How can we love others and show them the compassion of Jesus when we hole ourselves up in these little enclaves called church?
Our church is going through this task right now and we’re about to vote on a budget that will reduce our mission’s spending from almost 50% of our budget to a more sustainable 10%. We’ve got years of local community, membership, & building neglect to remedy. Pray for us as this meeting takes place in two days!
But some may ask; “Shouldn’t we be separate from the world?” I believe that God’s response would be “Amen! Be separate! Separate yourselves from this world by loving more, showing more mercy, being more generous, showing more grace, exhibiting more compassion, and being less self-righteousness allowing Me to reveal your hearts while creating in you a hunger for My righteousness instead!” Now that would work towards effectuating the Great Commission in the most powerful way!
God’s Commission to us is great … not because we get to pay someone else to participate but because WE ALL participate in God’s Kingdom building program. Let our churches not only be hospitals for the sick, but become post offices delivering the gospel in love to our local communities!
I’ve been a Christian for 14 years and for as long as I can remember the Matthew 28 passage has been the banner used to support overseas missions. It is the theme statement for every Mission’s Conference and for every missionary who recruits other churches & individuals for support. Most churches demonstrate their high view of the Great Commission by including it in their church’s constitutional doctrine. But have we interpreted this passage correctly?
Comments
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Bernie of FreeGoodNews.com on Wed, November 15, 2006
I agree that all Christians should go everywhere (even locally), but there is also a great problem with materialism in most churches, in my opinion. I’ve heard it said the best antidote to ‘greed’ is ‘giving.’ I think when we can see the great need on the foreign mission field, it will drive people automatically to give. I’m talking about the mission field where no one has heard of Christ. I think a great motivator and eye-opener is the free book from “Gospel for Asia” ( http://www.gfa.org/ ) . I hope you all get it and read it.
Peter Hamm on Wed, November 15, 2006
I really like that best antidote thing… In my church I’ve noticed that some of the most well-off among us appear to be the biggest givers. I don’t know for sure because I never see what they give, but when someone makes a huge gift of land, word gets around… Some of those very well-off are quite the givers…
And Bernie makes a great point about the mission field where no one has heard of Christ. I get a little weary of people coming back from “mission trips” and showing off what is essentially souveneirs of a trip to an exotic locale… I’m glad that here in the church I’m in now, that doesn’t seem to happen. Our mission trips are real mission trips… For me, however, my mission field is this materialistic and greedy culture I’m in…
John 3:36 on Wed, November 15, 2006
Phil said: “How did we get to this state? I’m certain there are many reasons but let me list some; fear of witnessing, fear that our lives won’t match up to our words, fear of rejection, a lack of confidence in God and our own faith, a lack of confidence in our knowledge of scripture, and finally a lack of love for other people! How can we love others and show them the compassion of Jesus when we hole ourselves up in these little enclaves called church?“We can debate over the heart of why these things (fears and lacks) occur but I believe it was nailed down by Charles Spurgeon many years ago when he said:Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that.When that aspect is sealed and certain there is little difficulty in getting people to step out and witness, step up and contribute time, talents and treasure, and little cajoling necessary to get them to attend services and grow in the faith and knowledge of their Lord by studying His word as well as training themselves up to be better witnesses in reconciling the lost locally or internationally.Just a thought…
Jan on Wed, November 15, 2006
We are living this right now. I found myself saying in a meeting last week “Where does it say ‘Sit therefore, and build a building and if people come in, make disciples and baptize them.’?”
Bernie of FreeGoodNews.com on Wed, November 15, 2006
Good one, Jan.
You are now officially a “trouble-maker.” http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/wink.gif
Jack on Thu, November 16, 2006
Jan,
That is one of the most accurate and concise statements I’ve seen here. But I’m afraid Bernie may have nailed it, with statements like that, you had better put on your armor. http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
Dan Moore on Fri, November 17, 2006
Jan, I’m still looking for that statement about sitting and building so the people will come. Actually, I believe the closest is when Jesus spoke about a city on a hill shining its light. Now I have seen “First Baptist” (my way of picking on the mega/bigger chuches) build a new building, people flock there. Why? The building is so shiny and new. People leave their other churches and rush to join. Then they get excited about their new church and facilities…sometimes people even get saved! And baptized! I’m not defending this route but I have seen it over and over again…as I pastored churches with outdated buildings in need of repair. [O, by the way, even in those old, beat up church facilities I managed to win some for Christ and get ‘em baptized - with 80 percent won by the pastor and 20 percent won by the people - no brag, just fact].
I don’t believe we need to relook the context of Jesus’ statement as the author states. Jesus was having a final teaching session to His disciples. He had just appointed them (v. 16) and gave His apostles the mission to go into all the world. A similar event is recorded before His ascension. His primary audience was those disciples. The local church is only the secondary audience. The missionary goes to a region and starts a work. Over time the believers mature and reach their community. Note the commendation in 1 Thessalonians where Paul commended the membership for their witness in their region. Within the congregation, God will call a missionary. Again, note that Paul discovered Timothy who was effective in two local towns. There is always a place for giving to missions (Corinth and Philippi). But the local church would often be best served by reaching its community first, maturing its members and allowing God to call out those to be missionaries to regions locally, regionally, and globally.
Bernie of FreeGoodNews.com on Fri, November 17, 2006
Dan M. said:
“Jan, I’m still looking for that statement about sitting and building so the people will come. Actually, I believe the closest is when Jesus spoke about a city on a hill shining its light. Now I have seen “First Baptist” (my way of picking on the mega/bigger chuches) build a new building, people flock there. Why? The building is so shiny and new. “
There’s a huge misconception regarding bringing people to Christ and into fellowship with believers; versus getting people to church.
When Jesus said we are to be lights on a hill, I see that in no way referring to getting people into church. In fact, a “house church” I think is preferable in many ways.
People constantly judge each other. The question is, how will we be judged? Are we salt and light to this world, or are we judged as being a negative and dark influence?
For example, regarding the Middle East. Do we advocate war, like CUFI (who is founded by my friend, Pastor John Hagee) does? Or do we reach out in love and peace through ministry, like the Christian groups operating in the occupied territories and in Lebanon? How should we operate and relate to our “enemies?” Pastor John Hagee (CUFI founder) advocates war. Contrary-wise, Brother Andrew outlines how to reach out in Christian love- you can see his book here:
http://www.amazon.com/Light-Force-Stirring-Account-Crossfire/dp/0800718720/sr=8-3/qid=1163798949/ref=pd_bbs_3/002-9523004-7073668?ie=UTF8&s=books
I think Brother Andrew is a bright shiny light in this context, while Pastor Hagee (and other war supporters) put a stench on the Christian faith. It’s a perfect example where both are taking opposite stands in “how to deal with enemies,” and they are advocating these in the name of “Christianity.”
Peter Hamm on Fri, November 17, 2006
Bernie,
You are truly amazing, you managed to twist the whole discussion around to talking about John Hagee again. I think you would maybe make a great politician…
Leonard on Fri, November 17, 2006
Bernie, Bernie, Bernie, Bernie, Bernie, Bernie,
In heaven some day we will be sitting before the throne and Jesus will say, Bernie, how do you think John Hagee did? Give it a rest will you, you are like a broken record.
Jan on Fri, November 17, 2006
We can debate whether the great commission was really meant specifically for the disciples vs the church today forever. I do think the general theme, that God has a heart for the lost and we should too, undoubtably applies throughout scripture.
If we are not passionate about what God is passionate about, are we saved at all? Or are we just eternally baby Christians, sucking away at that milk and thinking it’s all about me?
Instead we play at church and even fellowship. I think there is also much to be said for the house church, though I don’t think it’s the only way.
Today may not be a good day for me to post! It’s been a pretty disgusting week in terms of ministry in our church.
All I know is that when I stand before my Savior, I don’t want to be making excuses about how the opportunities to share, just didn’t arrive on my door step, so I did nothing.
Dan Moore on Sat, November 18, 2006
Jan, sorry you are having a tough week. You actually mirrored my comments as I was pointing out the immaturity of Christians who believe bigger is better. Actually, D.A. Carson is not stating anything new. As the culture changes and new generations arise, there will always be an “emergent” church. This will cause a clash between those who hold the traditions near and dear to their hearts and those who believe passionately in what works for their culture/generation.
House churches are nice. Started a church in a living room 15 years ago. What a delight! We were just ourselves worshiping the Lord and He provided. Have a blessed day!
Phil DiLernia on Mon, November 20, 2006
Let me comment on a few of these posts:
Bernie said there is a problem with materialism in our churches. I agree and that problem materializes (pun intended) in our personal lives outside of church even more so. See the probelm that we have as a nation for debt as an example. Churches who get themselves in debt exenuate and exacerbate this problem as well. However in our church’s example we spent in 2006 (so far) $700 for Christian Ed & Student Ministry combined, $72 for Music, and $1,500 on building maintenence (this for a facility that would cost $6,000,000 to duplicate today.) We gave $252,000 to missions. Those disparities are not sustainable and the church has been losing people for over 40 years! That budget issue has been taken care of for 2007 and the people “bleeding” trend seems to have been reversed - we’ve gained somewhere between 30 - 40% in the past 4 months and new people are entering our doors! Praise God. However, God always has the last say.
John 3:36 said that if people don’t witness they are not saved. I’m not sure I’m willing to step out and make such an assertion, HOWEVER, I will step out and say that if you put my list of reasons together you can say that these people do not have an ongoing dynamic fellowship with God and therefore have nothing to say for fear that this anorexic relationship would be exposed.
While I too love the concept of “doing church” in homes I’m not a fan of the “home church” model as the church structure. Teaching, leadership, learning how to love those that aren’t like you, opportunities for service, and a host of other areas suffer.
I do understand the need for nice facilities (btw we pay our missionaries to plant or supervise the new church facilities worldwide - is there any problem with materialism there and why not many home church planting missionaries? Those home churches eventually turn into - or try to - churches that meet in buildings and these churches are celebrated!) However, while we speak of getting others “saved” my wife coined a phrase that seems to speak to the greater reality ... “Build it and they will transfer!” I don’t believe that is helping God’s church here in the USA.
Thanks for the dialog.
Your fellow servant in Christ,
Phil
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