Gathered to Go— A Theology for Multiplication
Every Christian should obey the commands of Christ.
At his ascension, Jesus' final words to his disciples were for them to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Mt 28:19–20). The directives to “go” and "make disciples" remain imperative for every Christian. Thus, a church’s ministry plan should create an atmosphere encouraging its members to disciple fellow believers (in-reach) and to evangelize the lost (outreach). Both endeavors require the same elements: instilling a personal readiness among the members, using the ordinary means of grace to prepare them for the task, and motivating them to connect with others inside and outside the church. These ministry foci are interdependent and essential as the church gathers to prepare itself to go.
In-Reach: Preparing Christians for the Great Commission
In most churches, the elders bear the responsibility of preaching and teaching the Bible, as well they should. Paul’s admonishment to Timothy to “Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Tm 4:2) translates to every generation of men who undertake the ministry of the Word. However, the Bible never intends for the Word to find its completion only in the recipient. The gospel is for sharing—by those who gladly received it with those who desperately need it.
Personal Responsibility
The Great Commission provides an outline for the undertaking of gospel ministry. Making disciples is the foremost priority; going, baptizing, and teaching describes how to accomplish the task.1 Of course, Matthew 28:19-20 conveys a call to missionary and evangelistic endeavor, for how can the nations, or one’s neighborhood, be taught or baptized unless one goes forth with the message that converts sinners into disciples? Yet the passage also describes the responsibility of every believer to participate in the great gospel endeavor to “make disciples,” not just those in the elder role. In other words, it is the task of the whole church, every minister and member, to advance the gospel. Thus, every Christian is a missionary to some extent.2
Biblical evidence makes clear, for example, that Timothy was to commit what he learned to faithful men who, in turn, could teach others (2 Tm 2:2). Aquila and Priscilla embodied the principle of “the trained training others” when they taught Apollos what they learned from Paul (Acts 18:26). Furthermore, Paul required that older women mentor younger women in godly homemaking (Ti 2:3–5). Stephen and Philip, two of those entrusted by the apostles to serve tables (Acts 6:2–5), also participated in evangelism (Acts 6:8; 8:5). Ephesians 4 testifies that the working of the gifts of the Spirit brings about maturity that enables the members to speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15, 25) and to “impart grace to the hearers” (Eph 4:29 NKJV).3 Perhaps the most obvious statement revealing Paul’s intention for church members to participate in the Word ministry is Colossians 3:16–17.4 Here, “the word of Christ” dwells in them richly, prompting them to teach and admonish one another.
Each of these passages signals the necessity of the recipients of the gospel to share in the ministry of the Word to those around them.
Next week, we will consider how a local church accomplishes the task of “in-reach” by equipping and enlisting every member.
At his ascension, Jesus' final words to his disciples were for them to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Mt 28:19–20). The directives to “go” and "make disciples" remain imperative for every Christian. Thus, a church’s ministry plan should create an atmosphere encouraging its members to disciple fellow believers (in-reach) and to evangelize the lost (outreach). Both endeavors require the same elements: instilling a personal readiness among the members, using the ordinary means of grace to prepare them for the task, and motivating them to connect with others inside and outside the church. These ministry foci are interdependent and essential as the church gathers to prepare itself to go.
In-Reach: Preparing Christians for the Great Commission
In most churches, the elders bear the responsibility of preaching and teaching the Bible, as well they should. Paul’s admonishment to Timothy to “Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Tm 4:2) translates to every generation of men who undertake the ministry of the Word. However, the Bible never intends for the Word to find its completion only in the recipient. The gospel is for sharing—by those who gladly received it with those who desperately need it.
Personal Responsibility
The Great Commission provides an outline for the undertaking of gospel ministry. Making disciples is the foremost priority; going, baptizing, and teaching describes how to accomplish the task.1 Of course, Matthew 28:19-20 conveys a call to missionary and evangelistic endeavor, for how can the nations, or one’s neighborhood, be taught or baptized unless one goes forth with the message that converts sinners into disciples? Yet the passage also describes the responsibility of every believer to participate in the great gospel endeavor to “make disciples,” not just those in the elder role. In other words, it is the task of the whole church, every minister and member, to advance the gospel. Thus, every Christian is a missionary to some extent.2
Biblical evidence makes clear, for example, that Timothy was to commit what he learned to faithful men who, in turn, could teach others (2 Tm 2:2). Aquila and Priscilla embodied the principle of “the trained training others” when they taught Apollos what they learned from Paul (Acts 18:26). Furthermore, Paul required that older women mentor younger women in godly homemaking (Ti 2:3–5). Stephen and Philip, two of those entrusted by the apostles to serve tables (Acts 6:2–5), also participated in evangelism (Acts 6:8; 8:5). Ephesians 4 testifies that the working of the gifts of the Spirit brings about maturity that enables the members to speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15, 25) and to “impart grace to the hearers” (Eph 4:29 NKJV).3 Perhaps the most obvious statement revealing Paul’s intention for church members to participate in the Word ministry is Colossians 3:16–17.4 Here, “the word of Christ” dwells in them richly, prompting them to teach and admonish one another.
Each of these passages signals the necessity of the recipients of the gospel to share in the ministry of the Word to those around them.
Next week, we will consider how a local church accomplishes the task of “in-reach” by equipping and enlisting every member.
1 These directives imply participation in a local church, as baptism is an ordinance performed by a rightly constituted body of believers.
2Jeffrey D. Johnson, The Church: Her Nature, Authority, Purpose, and Worship (New Albany, Mississippi: Media Gratiae, 2020), 100.
3As the ordinary means of grace, the ministry of the Word to the congregation affects the listeners and equips them to convey the truths they have themselves learned (Eph 4:20–21).
4“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col 3:16–17).
2Jeffrey D. Johnson, The Church: Her Nature, Authority, Purpose, and Worship (New Albany, Mississippi: Media Gratiae, 2020), 100.
3As the ordinary means of grace, the ministry of the Word to the congregation affects the listeners and equips them to convey the truths they have themselves learned (Eph 4:20–21).
4“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col 3:16–17).
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This article is spot on, good job! I am especially looking forward to the next installment which sounds to be exactly what we do with EE to support and assist pastors, elders, and churches with their outreach strategies. EE is really a MULTIPLICATION ministry, and it seems your current blog agrees. God bless you as you strive to implement all this among your congregation.