The Great Commission's Focus is Not on Church Programs

Category: Leader Basics > Great Commission

Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone did everything they should without needing any help? Programs provide organization and structure for a church to help ensure that what should be happening, gets done.

Make no mistake, the church most certainly is an organism as seen in the metaphor about it being like a human body (Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 4:15-16). However, just like the human body has systems to keep it properly functioning, like the central nervous system, so the church needs a level of structure and order.

Problems with Programming that Shift the Focus

The problem comes when the program or organization becomes an end in itself rather than a tool to get to where we should be. When too much focus is on programs rather than the Lord and His life exhibited in and through His people, the church takes on characteristics more of an organization than an organism. Even the fulfillment of the Great Commission becomes just another program. But, Jesus came to give vibrant life, not a rigid structure.

Programs May be Necessary but the Great Commission Keeps the Focus on the Lord

Programs, organization, structure, coordination, order:

-- necessary as a means to get to a greater end

-- good as long as it doesn't suck the life out of what should be an organism.

Keep the focus on the Lord above all else and you can't help but have life, light, and the right kind of liberty. Programs and all other organizational structures and agendas will point to Him. When unsaved people attend your church, they will see Jesus in all you do.

The Steering the Church Toward Discipleship Leadership Guide includes what you read here and further contrasts what the Church looks like as an organism versus as an organization when the focus shifts to programming.

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