Is Your Church a Great Commission Church?

What is deemed to be the most important command JESUS gave to His church just happens to be one of the least practiced by the church. Matthew recorded it well and many of us can quote it quite freely: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20). Luke expanded on the command by saying: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

It is very apparent that the divine mission of the church is winning the lost—in our towns, our states, our countries and our world. As I observe the workings of many different churches, I discover quite quickly that few offer anyone any sort of invitation call to come to Christ. How can a church be winning the lost in its area to Christ if a call to Christ is never given or a message of repentance and salvation is never proclaimed? Simply put, they can’t! So…what is going on in these churches today? How are they getting around carrying out the single most important command JESUS gave to His Church?

It doesn’t take long sitting in many of today’s churches to realize that the Spirit has departed. The desire to win the lost is gone. The desire to see lives changed is gone. The desire to evangelize locally as well as around the world no longer exists. Seems the only care is to coddle the saints in the pew with a message that doesn’t disturb their chosen lifestyle nor does it create any sense of conviction over their ungodly choice of habits. In a nutshell, these churches are no longer churches of the LORD JESUS CHRIST rather they have chosen to forego their responsibility to Him choosing personal satisfaction as more important.

Everything these churches do is designed around their own satisfaction and pleasures. Outsiders are left outside. Cradle-rockers are discouraged from speaking up or speaking out. Providing a turkey dinner to a hurting family at Thanksgiving or Christmas may be the biggest venture these churches make in sharing JESUS with anyone outside.

So, what defines a Great Commission church? What will one look like? Space only allows a short critique but you’ll get the idea quickly. The passion in the pastor’s message will burn like fire in your soul, bring the Spirit’s conviction upon the heart’s of all and a massive descent upon the altar will occur during the invitation with the unsaved crying out for JESUS. The church will have an array of ministry opportunities available for every member both in the church, throughout the community and around the world. Every member will be involved in a ministry activity that utilizes their special giftings and talents. The church will be a living organism that is like a magnet for others in the community. The church will be a place where everyone feels welcome and the needs of those hurting will be met. A positive, vibrant atmosphere will be evidenced throughout.

So, based upon this short critique, is your church a Great Commission Church? If not, are you willing to work to change it and if the status quo simply says NO, are you willing to find a church that is? The harvest is plenty and the workers are few. There is no time to be wasted sitting around hoping your church will somehow, someday catch a fresh vision.