Jesus gave the Great Commission to us – not just to me.
He first gave the call to make disciples to a ragtag group of disciples that few expected to succeed. Yet, apparently, they did, because here we are. I’m writing an article about a group of men in a different country, during a different century, speaking a different language that carried the good news to others that somehow made it to me. And now, I try to take it to others.
The plan worked. In fact, it’s still working.
The tension arises in the fact that I need to acknowledge that I’m not the only one working on the Great Commission, but I need to ensure I take personal responsibility for it.
The balance is maintaining a commission collective mindset.
- As a disciple of Jesus, it means that I realize that others are working toward the same end, and I cannot live for Jesus in isolation.
- As a member of a church, it means that I stay engaged with the collective mission of the church.
- As a leader of a local church, it means that I stay aligned with worthwhile mission partnerships.
One of the greatest mismanagements of Kingdom stewardship is when we reinvent wheels that have been running well for a long time.
If we have the same goal, then partner with people who are getting it done.
The Two Dangers
First, many people expect the organizations to do the work that the local church is supposed to do. The reason that so many churches have become immobile is that they believed that funding agencies would do the work for them, but that type of strategy is not sustainable on numerous fronts.
Years ago, churches decided to fund organizations to do what they were called to do, and now we wonder why our people seem so detached from the mission. We have to learn how to partner together without becoming immobilized.
Second, many people decide to go rogue and do it all on their own. It shows a lack of trust and cooperation, and we must do better. There are people who are doing good works and we need to partner with them.
One danger is farming out our responsibilities, and the other is working in isolation.
As an individual and as a church, what can you do to foster a commission collective mindset?
A Healthy Example
Take the example of the Macedonian Christians for example:
1 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.
2 Corinthians 8:1-4
Here is an example of a local church getting involved in something bigger than themselves. For that to happen, it implies that you had individual Christians connecting over something bigger than themselves as well.
How are you partnering with others to get Jesus’ work done?
The call to make disciples was given to us all, and it will all work better if we each get involved alongside one another.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.