What is the Mission of the Church?

What is the mission of the church? This question generates different answers depending upon who you consult and what books you read. For some the mission of the church includes the active engagement with culture in a way that is designed to bring relief to physical suffering and for others it is confined strictly to evangelism and discipleship. Authors Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert tackle this question in their recent 266 page book of the same title (ISBN 978-1-4335-2690-9). On Page 62, after examining the classic texts relating to the Great Commission, they answer the question as follows: “The mission of the church is to go into the world and make disciples by declaring the gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Spirit and gathering these disciples into churches, that they might worship the Lord and obey his commands now and in eternity to the glory of God the Father.”

DeYoung and Gilbert are not blind however to the significant healing ministry of Jesus (and the Apostles), as well as the obvious OT emphasis on God’s loving concern for the economically and socially vulnerable, a concern shared by the writers of the NT (Gal. 2:10; Jam. 1:27). In working through the difficulties of applying these two truths the authors develop the idea of a “wide-angle” and “zoom lens” to explain the various Scriptural emphases (pg. 94).

In their view the “wide-angle” approach, which they later call “the gospel of the kingdom” (pg. 106), focuses upon the passages in both the Old and New Testaments which speak of “the entire package of benefits that Christ secures for his people” (pg. 95). While the “zoom lens” approach, which they also call “the gospel of the cross” focuses much more narrowly on the forgiveness of sin through the substitutionary death of Jesus on the cross (pg. 100). In this discussion they correctly note that the blessing of the former depend completely upon the redemption secured in the later.

Chapter six of the book includes a very helpful and exegetically sound explanation of “social justice” in the OT, which by itself would be worth the price of the book. In chapter nine the authors deal with the responsibilities of both the church as an institution, as well as the individual Christian, correctly noting that they have overlapping, but not identical spheres. The church must preach the gospel because it is uniquely the guardian of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15). The individuals who make up that church may legitimately choose to become involved in a plethora of social ministries, but they do not individually set the agenda for the church. The church may choose to become involved in various ministries to improve social conditions, but if it so engages it must never forget the eternal truth that “there is something worse than death [hell], and there is something better than human flourishing [heaven]” (pg. 242), and only the preaching of the cross enables a person to escape one and gain the other.

I found this book to be very profitable to read and think through. I recommend reading it with a Bible at the ready in order to follow the flow of the argument and evaluate its exegetical support. My only real criticism of the book comes in its confusing eschatology (particularly chapters 5&8) in which the millennial promises to Israel are transferred to the church, or confused with the new heavens and new earth. In fact the whole section on the “wide-angle” and “zoom lens” gospel would have been much clearer and compelling if the authors were able to acknowledge the great physical blessings of Messiah’s Millennial Kingdom that come only to those who enter through the doorway of spiritual redemption (Jn. 3:5).

Biblical Principles for Handling Conflict

I was intrigued when I recently received an email offer to purchase a short book (173 pages) by Alexander Strauch entitled “If You Bite & Devour One another” (ISBN 978-093608331-5). Having previously profited from Pastor Strauch’s more than 40 years of ministry experience and wisdom contained in some of his other books, I was quick to plunk down the $10 and place my order. When the book arrived, I found it to be both thorough and practical. The first three chapters provide a biblical foundation for handling conflict between Christians by emphasizing Spirit-controlled living, our duty to express Biblical love, and the necessity for humility. The remaining seven chapters deal with specific principles for handling conflict. Included among those principles are things like controlling our tongue, controlling criticism, pursuing reconciliation, and pursuing peace.

Under the chapter on peace-making, Strauch makes the following insightful comment, “Each member is responsible for the peace and unity of the local church. Each individual makes a difference as to the outcome of any conflict in the church” (pg. 112). How true that is! How much less conflict would there be in the local church if all of us were to take these words to heart and prayerfully intervene when friends, family members or even acquaintances begin to grumble against others in the fellowship. But, instead, many of us simply turn our heads and walk away, not wanting to get involved.

This book is designed for personal or group study and the publisher has enhanced its usefulness by making available a free study guide consisting of application questions for each chapter in a PDF format. Two helpful indices (Scripture & persons) round out the work and make it easy to find quotes or cross references after the fact. Brethren, it would be a good idea to spiritually arm yourself by reading this book before the next time you find yourself disagreeing with your brother or sister in Christ – the unity of God’s church may well hang in the balance.