One of the reasons many churches do not have an emphasis on the Great Commission is because the leadership of those churches are not personally committed to it themselves. Addressing this problem is one of the major objectives of my new book. I want the reader to make the Great Commission personal. Here are a few ideas on how this can be done.

Listen:

• Listen to the needs of your community. An awareness of how your church can best serve those around you creates an effective platform for sharing the gospel.
• Listen to the talents in your church. Identify the unique gifts people in your church possess and allow them to strategically exercise those gifts to reach people with the gospel.

Look:

• Look for opportunities to share the gospel corporately in your preaching. A gospel preacher needs to be preaching the gospel. It’s that simple.
• Look for opportunities to share the gospel personally. Church members are unlikely to act on your preaching unless they see you personally living out your sermons.

Lead:

• Lead by living on mission with God. Live available and open to serving others. Your church will begin to mimic your actions causing a chain-effect that will see drastic growth in your ministry.
• Lead by going on mission with your church. Personally take your church on mission efforts. (In the next year I am leading teams from my church to the Dominican Republic and Brazil). Show your church you are serious about missions by being actively involved yourself. And remember, the Great Commission is not just about “over there”, but it all begins “right here, right where you are!”

A word of caution:

• Be careful of your motives. You want your people to see you leading by example but not for the sake of an example. Are you serving in the outreach program just to be seen or are your intentions honestly to serve?
• Jesus warns us in Matthew 6:1, “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” Personally owning the Great Commission is not about being honored by others (see my post Audience of One) but obeying the words of our Savior to go and make disciples of all nations.

Here is an example of how one pastor is taking steps to own the Great Commission personally and corporately. This shepherd of a church in a small Texas town said, “It is a fantastic read. I am planning on taking my church leadership through it.”

This is exactly what I am encouraging all church leaders to do. Go through this book with your staff and/or lay leadership. One of the reasons I hope you share this book and set it in the hands of the top two tiers of leadership in your church is because when they read it they begin to own the Great Commission personally.

Will you give a copy to your church leaders?  It will change the conversation in your church. Maybe you have already finished the book. How is it affecting you and your church?

Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie Floyd

This line from a simple children’s song speaks volumes to the attitude of a Christ-follower truly committed to the Great Commission. It is encouraging that so many churches have made significant progress toward understanding that no matter one’s skin color, “they are precious in His sight.”

However, the sad truth is that many churches remain segregated. Before addressing the issue it is important to note first of all what is meant by the word “segregation.” It means, “to separate or set apart from others or from the main body or group; to isolate.”

It is more than just racial, gender, or ethnic divisions. Socio-economic status, politics, personal preference for worship styles and décor, even sports can become barriers to unity in the church. Any number of segregating walls can be built in the church, some more severe than others. However, to be a church focused on the Great Commission we must first recognize that the love, unity, and power of the gospel is our most effective weapon against segregation.

If we will fully obey Christ’s command to go and make disciples of ALL nations, then segregation will cease to be the type of issue it is today. The gospel is more demanding than our nationality, the color of our skin, or the amount in our bank account. All ethnicities, all people groups, all economic classes share a fallen ancestry that puts us on equal ground at the foot of the cross.

Throughout several chapters in the book of Revelation John records a majestic scene. He sees Jesus who, through His blood, “ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Rev 5:9).

Then he sees, “a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages…crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” (Rev 7:9-10).

What an image: a multitude of people from all different nationalities shouting, in unity, praises to our Lord! This should encourage us to model our churches here on earth after the scene John describes.

God has not only called us to unity and worship, but unity in worship. We serve a God who loves busting borders and knocking down walls. It brings Him great joy when we reach to each other across the distinctions that usually divide us.

Does your church embody the image captured by John? We should all desire that our own local church be comprised of all people from every people group in our town, community, or city. What are you doing in your church to tear down the walls of all forms of segregation so that you can more effectively reach ALL the nations with the gospel?

Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie Floyd

These three traits are often lacking in the lives of many Christians. Sure, we talk about them in marriage seminars, but how often do we actively develop these concepts in relation to the Great Commission?

While strengthening these features in our marriages is a necessary and excellent ambition, I want to focus right now on using them to intensify our commitment to telling every person in the world about Jesus and making disciples of all nations. We can do this by giving honest, harsh answers to three tough questions.

Do I know Jesus Intimately?

Take your time and think about how you would honestly answer. You’ll never address a more important question in your life. In order to have a passion for obeying the Great Commission a person must first fully internalize its message. The beautiful thing is, if you have internalized it then you can’t help but to obey it! If you’ve truly tasted of the Bread of Life then there is absolutely no way you can live without telling others about Him. Use your level of commitment to the Great Commission as a litmus test for how intimately you know Jesus.

Do I love Jesus Passionately?

Like the church at Ephesus that Jesus talks to in the book of Revelation, many Christians today have lost the passion they once had for Christ. Has some of your passion for Jesus faded away? Then I urge you to follow the instructions Jesus gave in Revelation chapter 2. He says, “remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.” (Rev 2:5). This is a simple three-step plan: Remember, Repent, Repeat. Do these and you will rediscover your passion for the Lord.

Do I share Jesus Constantly?

Knowing Christ intimately and loving Him passionately will always lead to sharing Him with others. These three ideas are inseparable. To know Christ is to love Him; to love Him is to share Him. Here is a tough but true statement: The Christian who is apathetic about the Great Commission is the one who is not walking at Jesus’ speed, who has fallen far behind, or who is wandering somewhere in the woods. If Christ is our guide, then the Great Commission is our compass. Make it a consistent aspect of your daily life.

But how do you do these three things? Here are some simple solutions to help you become more Great Commission focused.

• The best way to know Him more intimately is to:
  Be intentional about studying God’s Word.

• The best way to love Him more passionately is to:
  Be persistent in communicating with Him in prayer.

• The best way to share Him more consistently is to:
  Be continually aware of the evangelism opportunities around you.

Here I will echo a challenge put to you in a previous post called “Reality Check.” Devote time each and every day to prayer and the study of God’s Word in order to know, love, and share Him better.

Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie Floyd

Sunday was a great day from start to finish. The Summer Freedom Celebration services in the morning were a great reminder of God’s work in America in the past and present – and an encouragement and challenge for the future. The Worship Ministries of both campuses did a phenomenal job. Thanks to Josh Stanbery and the Worship & Media Teams for all of their work. And what a way to complete the day – - baptizing 79 people at the foot of the crosses, honoring special veterans of many wars, and watching a beautiful fireworks display. Thousands came and had a wonderful time of fellowship. We are blessed!

Enjoy these photos from July 4, 2010!

*Photos courtesy Brian Armas and Rachel Blackwell

This week, in our first ever Easter in the Community ministry emphasis, the Gospel is being sown throughout Northwest Arkansas.  Yesterday, Nick had the privilege of sharing the Gospel in one of our local businesses.  He was permitted to share the Gospel.  At the end of the speaking time, a 53 year-old man accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.  The Gospel is powerful and we are seeing its power revealed this week.

The Gospel is being sown all over our region this week and in God’s timing, we will see Gospel seed reaped, resulting in the lives of people being changed.  The Lord is being honored in these unique ministry opportunities all over our region this week.  Our Pastors are being faithful to the Word of God and really trying to connect this week with our weekend Resurrection Celebration.

Wherever you go this week, sow the Gospel.  In time, lives will be changed.  Remember, ” … the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation.” (Romans 1:16)

Thank God for the Gospel!