Given the make-up of today’s world, leaders face a major challenge in providing coordination in the Church. We live in a world where people want to do what is right in their own eyes. They desire choices. At the same time, we also live in a world where people long to be a part of something big, something that makes a difference, something going somewhere.
Church leaders must help people see God’s big picture plan as worth their time and effort and at the same time give them freedom to respond and serve creatively, in ways that fit them, but still bring them under the umbrella of God’s purposes, design, and mission for the Church.
3 reminders in the Great Commission should provide help in our coordination efforts:
Both church leaders and the congregation as a whole need to remember that it isn’t about them. When we grab hold of God’s big picture, we find greater motivation to work together as a coordinated whole to accomplish God’s purposes, design, and mission.
When we’re all governed by the following three truths found in the Great Commission, we’ll be more likely to replace our personal agendas with His and hence, be able to come together, coordinated “like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 2:5).
1) We are under His authority.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matt. 28:18)
2) We are on mission with Him
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matt. 28:19-20a)
3) The Lord Jesus is in our midst.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matt. 28:20b)
The Steering the Church Toward Discipleship Leadership Guide gives some brief input on each point and coordination lessons that grow out of it for leaders.
All Posts about Coordination:
- Motivation for Coordination
- Means of Coordination
- Coordination Integral to God’s Design
- Coordination Governed by the Great Commission
- Coordination Showcases Christ
- Coordination in Submission to Christ
- Coordination in the Church is Possible
- Coordination Founded Upon the Gospel
- Grace to Hurdle Obstacles to Coordination
- Holy Spirit Essential to Coordination
- Spiritual Gifts Useful to Coordination
- Motivational Effect of His Name to Coordination
- Does Your Church Function as a Coordinated Whole?
- Jesus’ Resurrection Takes Coordination to New Heights
- Jesus’ Resurrection Provides the Keys to Coordination