Putting the “C” back into Commission

TROWEL & SWORD

Resources - Leadership

March 2001

SWORD DEFENDING

Putting the “C” back into Commission

Rev. David Groenenboom

I used to do it, too. Whenever anyone started talking about evangelism, witnessing, or outreach I’d listen for a minute, and then my mind would drift. I’d think of music. I’d think of what I had to do next. I’d think of what the speaker’s “agenda” was. I’d think of all the other “more important” things, which also needed to be done in the church. Education. Visitation. Administration. Exhortation. Socialisation. I would argue that all these things are just as worthy of attention in the life and work of the church as spreading the Gospel. People would also tell me, Heidelberg Catechism (QA 86) in hand, that simply living a good life was a good enough witness for their unsaved friends and neighbours.

But is this mindset (first paragraph) what Scripture really teaches? The answer is a resounding no. Scripture never teaches that evangelism is something with a low priority. On the contrary, Jesus Christ teaches that evangelism is to be at the centre of church work and Christian life: Matt 28:16-20; Luke 9:1-10 esp.v.10; John 4:34-37; Luke 10:1-2; Matt 9:35-38; Acts 1:8.

But think about your life. Think about your congregation and it’s priorities. Think about the actions, activities and directions that are actually there. Do you observe an emphasis on making disciples similar to what these passages indicate?

When we look at the Christ’s Great Commission, our emphasis often falls on the word “Go!” Jesus does want us to “go”, of course, but grammatically the strongest words are “make disciples”. With Christ returning to heavenly glory, His command to “make disciples” naturally flows from the centre of His redeeming heart. It occupies the centre of His vision. It therefore should be central in the vision of every Christian and every church.

There is nothing in this passage or any others mentioned which would indicate that only some churches should concentrate on making disciples, while others concentrate on other things. Jesus is not speaking the language of options. Neither is making disciples something your church should merely “strive” to do. Christ issues the command, and we must obey. This command is for every Christian... in every Church... in every place... for all time... until His return. Making disciples is the main thing the church is called to do. And churches today are called to keep the main thing the main thing.

Imagine that your church would downgrade baptism to a mere option. Or that obeying the Saviour was hardly ever practised, and as rarely encouraged. Imagine that teaching only occurred once a year, at a special rally, and then with but a few zealots. Would that be a biblical church? How comfortable would you be to be part of it? Not very! But the fact is that while we rightly stress baptism and teaching, we have not been in the habit of doing evangelism and making disciples – and yet it is this work which Jesus Himself stresses above all other factors in this verse. The reality is any church that neglects any aspect of this commission neglects Jesus Christ’s divine mandate. And there is no fancy word, as Bill Clinton would say, for what that is. It is sin.

These things sit very heavy on my heart. For I acknowledge that for the bulk of my 15 years in active ministry I have not given ‘making disciples’ the attention Christ’s commission deserves. Lord, forgive me for neglecting your express commands in my life and my ministry. Let me work and live very differently today and every day that you give me. Make me make disciples, Lord Jesus!

We know that making disciples isn’t the only task we’ve been given. Jesus’ also calls us to baptising, teaching and leading to maturity (see Eph 4:11-16). We cannot justify evangelistic shortcomings on the basis of strong teaching or anything else. Disciples need to be grown, but they cannot be grown unless they are first won (see Romans 10:8-15).

Finally, remember it is a “co-mission” – we are sent to make disciples with someone. Whom? None other than Jesus Himself, who says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me… surely I am with you always, even to the very end of the age.”

Let us pray, then, for strength and courage to put the C back into Commission. And do whatever we can to see this realised in our own lives and congregations. Change me, dear Jesus, and work through me, to your glory!

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