Living the Great Commission

In Matthew 19, Christ issued the Great Commission to the disciples saying, “Therefore, go and make diciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.” 

Based on this “Great Commission,” the United Methodist Church has stated its purpose: “The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ.” (http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.2295473/)

Having listened to sermons preached at the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas for a couple of years, I know that they have incorporated that concept in the purpose and vision of their church since they incorporate these statements into the sermons on a very regular basis.

• Purpose: To build a Christian community where non-religious and nominally religious people are becoming deeply committed Christians.
• Vision: To transform lives, to transform our community and to renew the mainline church.

With 7500 members, the Church of the Resurrection is considered a megachurch. Curious about whether other megachurches are intentional in incorporating the Great Commission into their mission and vision statements, I decided to investigate a few - particularly Methodist churches. 

Custer Road United Methodist Church (Plano, TX — 6411 members)

• Mission: God has called Custer Road United Methodist Church into being to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Custer Road UMC seeks to fulfill its calling by helping any and all people grow in their experience and commitment to Jesus Christ through providing opportunities for worship, nurture, fellowship and service.
• Vision: Custer Road United Methodist Church, where God is offering hope through Jesus Christ and transforming lives through the Holy Spirit.

Christ United Methodist Church (Jackson, MS — 2250 members)

• Mission Statement: A Community Experiencing the Transforming Grace of Jesus Christ

St. Mark’s United Methodist Church (Lincoln, NE — 2000 members)

• Mission: The mission of St. Mark’s Church is to help persons become deeply committed Christians.
• Vision: We will accomplish our mission through:
  • Gather — Gathering…to worship Christ
  • Grow — Growing…in faith, hope and love
  • Go — Going…and making disciples
  • Give — Giving…to the glory of God

Granger Community Church (Granger, IN — 7000 members)

• Vision:
  • G - Growing with intent
  • R - Reaching all generations
  • A - Advancing our mission through the arts
  • N - Nurturing spiritual growth
  • G - Gathering in groups
  • E - Encouraging effective ministry
  • R - Resourcing the church

Knowing that First Light United Methodist Church in Gardner, Kansas is a growing church, I’ve included them in my research.

• Vision: A new kind of church transforming lives and reforming Christianity.
• Mission:
  • INVITE - people seeking meaning in everyday life
  • BUILD - healthier relationships with God, self, and others
  • CHANGE - the world through Christian discipleship and service

For comparison, I included the New Spring Community Church in Anderson, SC since from listening to some of their services, I know they are intentional about fulfilling the Great Commission. 

• Vision:
  • Engage - Engage the culture
  • Enlarge - Enlarge the kingdom
  • Endure - Endure together
  • Enable - Enable to serve

Based on this limited research, I have to conclude that since Christ intends us, his disciples, to grow his church, we must incorporate the Great Commission in our local churches.

• By incorporating the concept of evangelism in the purpose, mission or vision of the church
• By intentionally teaching disciple making from the pulpit
• By asking the Holy Spirit to use us to reach others
• By expecting everyone to be a kingdom builder

If our local churches are not willing to reach out and seek others for Christ, then our churches will not survive. This will require changes within the church but also within our own hearts, myself included.

Lord, change my heart and help me to be your disciple.