ARE WE INDEED MISSING THE MANDATE?
GROWTH WITHOUT DEPTH
As we view the Christian scene today, there is no
doubt that there is tremendous growth of the church in
many parts of the world.
John Stott, when asked how he would describe the
Christian scene today, replied, ‘growth without depth’. It
is true that the church has grown numerically in many
countries in the 20th century. It is also true that there is
superficiality of discipleship everywhere, and many
Christian leaders are concerned.
In his book “The Radical Disciple”, John Stott
highlighted two letters he received from Christian
leaders in South Asia and Africa respectively. A leader
from South Asia wrote, “There is a huge problem with
lack of godliness and integrity”. An African leader
wrote, “…..the growth is largely numerical…the church
is without strong biblical and theological foundation of
her own”. The view of many Christian leaders confirmed
the truth that there is growth without depth in many
cases. There is statistical growth with no corresponding
discipleship development.
CHURCH DWINDLING AND DYING
There is the other aspect of the Christian scenesome
churches in the US and the western countries are
not growing; instead, they are dwindling in numbers. In
fact, the churches in these countries are ‘dying’, with
conversions declining in numbers, fewer baptisms and
the churches also losing influence on the community and
among the younger generation in particular. Many are
finding the church irrelevant and increasing numbers are
leaving.
EVALUATION OF THE CHRISTIAN SCENE
As we evaluate the Christian scene and measure it
against the mandate of the Great Commission – what is
the sad inevitable conclusion? We have failed miserably
to make disciples of all nations. There may be numerical
growth in many Asian and developing countries but it is
basically growth without depth. Discipleship is
generally superficial. In the western countries, many are
leaving the church and the church is dwindling and
‘dying’. What are some of the reasons behind this picture
of dismay?
(A) BIBLICAL ILLITERACY
Among the notable reasons, several ones are cited
again and again. One is biblical illiteracy. There is a
neglect of theological and biblical teaching corporately,
and on a personal level, many may not even understand
the basics of scriptures and the foundation of the faith.
There is not even the attempt on the part of many to
correct this situation as many feel that they should leave
such things to the pastors and full time workers.
(B) BUSYNESS
Another reason highlighted is busyness, especially
among the younger generation. Many are involved in
pursuing their careers and they spend more time on their
work, on the computer and in many activities that
include recreation, sports and socializing. There is no
time for Bible study, fellowship and worship services. In
other words, these areas are not given the priority in the
lives of many. When there is extra time, many prefer to
catch up with their sleep rather than engage in the pursuit
of godliness.
(C) HYPOCRISY
Yet another reason is the perception that there is
too much hypocrisy in the church as well as in the
homes. What many understand from the Bible is not seen
in the lives of believers and even in the lives of their
parents at home.
Whether it be growth without depth in the
developing nations or dwindling numbers in churches in
the western countries, we notice that the common
denominator is the failure in disciple making. Depth
would imply growing in discipleship and maturity; that
would involve knowing and understanding God and the
Bible. To know the authentic Christ, we must know the
Bible; ignorance of scriptures is ignorance of Christ. The
clearer our vision and appreciation of Christ, the richer
will be our discipleship and the deeper will be our
spiritual growth towards maturity. And to know the
Bible, we must be prepared to invest our time;
discipleship and transformation is not automatic – it
requires much time and it is a long and even arduous
process.. It will also require diligence and perseverance,
in reliance on God’s Spirit and not on our own wisdom
and strength. Certainly, if there is growth in discipleship
and transformation, there will be more believers who
look more like the Christ they proclaim. This would be
the answer to the complaint of hypocrisy.
(D) OUTWORKING OF LIFE
Depth also means teaching believers to obey
everything the Lord Jesus has commanded.
“Everything” would mean no lop-sided emphasis on
certain teachings at the expense of other important
teachings. It would mean wholesomeness in teaching and
communicating the whole counsel and will of God (Acts
20:27). It is also not limited to teaching; what is
important is that believers must obey everything the
Lord Jesus has taught and that would mean practical
outworking of life”.
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive
yourselves, do what it says.”
James 1:22
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
LEARNING FROM HISTORY
As we evaluate whether we are missing the
mandate, it is helpful also to recognize that we need to
understand and appreciate the history of Christianity and
the church in order to avoid repetition of past mistakes
and to nurture the past strengths. We cannot afford to sit
on the fence when it comes to fundamental truths in
theology that affect the purity of the gospel. We must
uphold what our brethren fought for and defended
vigorously to preserve the biblical teachings of the Lord
Jesus and the apostles – this is part of teaching all that
the Lord Jesus has commanded in making disciples.
Many of the wrong teachings in the history of the church
have a tendency to come back in various forms; we must
be alert to this and we must detect and discern what is
amiss in such teachings.
We must not be intellectually lazy as we are called
to love the Lord God with all our minds as well.
Believers need to know what they believe and why they
believe and this may involve thinking through our faith
and many hours of intense study at the feet of Jesus. The
Great Commission aims to make significant disciples of
Christ, not just superficial believers.
AWAKENING FROM INDIFFERENCE
Elie Wiesel, Nobel Laureate and holocaust
survivor, has written that the opposite of ‘love’ is not
‘hate’ but ‘indifference’. Perhaps a most serious malady
affecting believers and the Church today is indeed
‘indifference’. Many believers are neither “hot” nor
“cold”. The warning of the Lord Jesus regarding this
must not be ignored.
“So because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor
cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth”.
Revelation 3:16
In particular, “indifference” to the mandate given
by the Lord Jesus in the Great Commission is not a
minor issue in the eyes of God.
CAUTION AGAINST PRESUMPTION
Another danger facing the church and believers is
presumption. We think that we are doing well for God
when in fact, we are just going through the motion and
accomplishing activities which may appear spiritual but
something is vitally missing, and we may actually be far
off the mark.
“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and
do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that
you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked”.
Revelation 3:17
We must realize our true spiritual state before it is
too late. It is the Lord God who judges and He sees
everything; nothing is hidden from Him. Ultimately, it is
His approval that matters.
CONCLUDING QUESTIONS
The questions we need to ask at this juncture are:
Are we missing the mark?
Are we carrying out the mandate to make disciples
of all nations?
Are we indeed fulfilling the Great Commission?
May the Lord God help us to evaluate honestly as
we see the day approaching and realize that we need to
stand before Him to give an account of our lives and our
ministry.