Church, What are We Doing?
by Rev. Jeremiah Cheung
“Church” in Greek is Ecclesia. This term is composed of two words: the word “Ek” meaning come out, and the word “Kaleo” meaning call.
The Church is not a building; the term refers to a group of people called out by God. We are the church, and this place is but a place of assembly.
Jesus referred to us as the light of the world, the salt of the earth. But the latest statistics tell us that Christians and non-Christians do not differ much in morality and in conduct. There is no clear distinction between believers and non-believers. As we face these statistics honestly, we must ask ourselves the question: “Church, what are we doing?”
There are four kinds of churches nowadays:
1. Educational – a pastoral-educational focus with a classroom methodology
Such churches believe that God’s word can change lives and emphasize the Word of God above all else. But such churches lose sight of the entirety of the Great Commission, and focus only on the Teaching aspect.
Mere teaching will not make someone a disciple. Head knowledge is not sufficient. The teaching must be applied in daily life, must be seen in action. The focus must be on Obedience, not on Teaching. The Great Commission says we must be “teaching them to obey.”
2. Attractional – an attractional focus with an entertainment methodology
Such churches use high-quality, professional services to lead people to Jesus, and people are saved through services.
But such churches have a fundamental problem: people attend the service, but no one knows the spiritual problems of individual members. If you attend worship services today but do not join a small group, you have the same problem.
These churches also lose sight of the Great Commission. Instead of Going out to all nations, they ask people to Come to the service instead.
3. Missional – a mission focus with a service-opportunity methodology
Such churches care much about the society at large, and focus on helping the community through mission and medical outreach trips. The emphasis is on going out to serve others.
But there are many people in need in this world. And while the church can help others with their immediate needs through outreach and trips, the church is unable to make and grow disciples, because there is not enough focus and continuity.
4. Home – a fellowship focus with an organic methodology
Such churches become a place where the focus is on the church members, and the church is like a clubhouse, for members only. And when unbelievers who do not “fit in” come, we drive them away.
The Church should be for the Unchurched, not the church members.
These four types of churches are missing the main point behind the Great Commission.
Jesus said “All authority on heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go…” Jesus gives us a command to Go, and grants us the same authority given to Him. V.18 contains the Command, and the Command is given to all believers, not just to pastors.
V.19 has the Content. The verse says “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you.”
V.20 contains the Promise. “I will be with you always, even up to the end of the age.”
Go – Make Disciples – Baptizing them – Teaching them to Obey. It looks like there are four actions here, but the original Greek text has only one action word: “Making Disciples.” The other phrases describe how one goes about making disciples.
So, church, what should we be doing? The answer lies in the Great Commission: we must make disciples.
Discipleship is the process of helping a Christian become a committed follower of Jesus. Discipleship begins with evangelism, but does not end there. We must not stop with leading people to Christ, we must be spiritual parents who help our new believers grow.
Thus, we have a fifth type of church.
5. Discipleship – discipleship is the main point, established through a relational method.
You cannot help someone grow and become a disciple if you do not have a relationship with them.
Our every action unintentionally makes disciples of the people around us because we are role models, whether we realize it or not. Thus our church must be an Intentional Disciple-Making Church.