The mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus. Before he ascended, Jesus told his followers to go to all nations, baptize new believers, and teach them to obey everything he commanded, and he promised his presence and power to do it. Yet many Christians end up sidelined from that mission by ignorance, by an endless pursuit of information, or by comfort. The early church shows us how to get back in the game.
Sidelined by Ignorance
Some Christians simply don’t know their mission. They think of faith as a private matter between them and God, or they assume that sharing the gospel is a job for pastors and missionaries. But Jesus left no doubt about what he expects from every follower.
Matthew 28:19-20 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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
A disciple is a follower, a learner, an apprentice of Jesus. Making disciples means more than getting people to pray a prayer. It means helping them begin a relationship with Jesus and then walking alongside them as they learn to follow him. That’s not a special assignment for a few. It’s the mission of the whole church.
Sidelined by Information
Other Christians know the mission but get stuck collecting information. They want one more Bible study, one more book, one more answer before they feel ready to share their faith. The disciples did something similar right before Jesus ascended. They wanted to know about the timeline of God’s kingdom, and Jesus redirected them.
Acts 1:6-8 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Learning about God is good, and spiritual maturity includes knowing Scripture. But knowledge that never turns into obedience isn’t maturity. Jesus didn’t ask his followers to master every theological question first. He asked them to be his witnesses, and he promised the Holy Spirit would give them the power to do it.
Sidelined by Comfort
Most Christians, if we’re honest, get sidelined by comfort. Sharing our faith is risky and inconvenient, so we stay where it’s safe. Surprisingly, the early church struggled with this too. For years after Pentecost, the believers stayed in Jerusalem, even though Jesus had told them to go to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. It took persecution to move them out. After Stephen was killed, a great persecution scattered the believers throughout the region (Acts 8:1). Luke tells us what happened next.
Acts 8:4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
God used a painful season to push his people into their mission. The same can be true for us. Moves, job changes, and disruptions can be opportunities to share Jesus with people we’d never have met otherwise. We explore that chapter more in What Are the Church’s Greatest Threats?
Getting Back in the Game
You don’t need a seminary degree or a perfect life to join God’s mission. You simply need to follow Jesus and invite others to follow him with you. Start with the people God has already placed in your life: a neighbor, a coworker, a friend who is curious about faith. Pray for them by name, look for natural conversations, and be ready to share what Jesus has done for you. Remember that Jesus promised to be with us always as we go.
The Takeaway
What is the mission of the church? Jesus told every follower to make disciples of all nations. Many Christians are sidelined by ignorance, by endless information, or by comfort. But with the Holy Spirit’s power and Jesus’ promised presence, every believer can get back in the game.
