I’m Already Making Disciples so why do I Need to be Involved with Missions?

I have heard that statement many times. Let me start by saying that if you are already obedient to the command to make disciples, that’s fantastic! Hopefully every ministry done by the church is connected in some way to making disciples. We can serve in a variety of ways in the disciple-making process. However, we need to be careful not to dismiss our role as individual disciple makers. If you doubt this, just consider a parent’s role and the importance of intentionally disciplining and launching your son or daughter.

The model Jesus gave us for making disciples was to dwell among those in need of the Kingdom of God. Jesus modeled how to reach people by going. He modeled how to teach by doing. He modeled how to love by sacrificing. Jesus intentionally walked with and taught His twelve disciples for several years. He then intentionally released them into the ministry to do the same. I believe every one of us is responsible for this kind of reaching, teaching and sending in addition to our roles in church ministry. Praise God if you are already involved in church ministry. Absolutely awesome and vital stuff! But that doesn’t excuse us from our responsibility in cross-cultural missions.

The command given and demonstrated throughout the New Testament is for the church to be a life-transforming movement, a movement that intentionally crosses physical, social and cultural barriers. In Acts 1:8 Jesus’ final words before ascending, gave instructions for the movement, and in Revelation chapters 5 and 7 we see the results of this movement yet to come. Is evangelism a part of this movement? Yes. Is making disciples a part of this movement? Yes. Is sending disciples into the harvest a part of this movement? Absolutely yes! If we never intentionally send and move towards crossing those physical, social and cultural barriers, the movement will never go beyond our people group. The multiplying disciple-making process must include God’s vision for making disciples of all nations, and God’s desire for every tongue, tribe and nation to be represented before His throne. This missional movement must influence the how, why, when and where we make disciples. If this movement is not currently influencing your ministry, prayerfully consider making the necessary change. What emphasis does missions have in your teaching, training and modeling? Often missions is an afterthought in discipleship training materials. It’s the fifteenth lesson in a fifteen-week course. This is in contrast to the bible, an extremely missional book, by a missional God, with a missional Son, to a missional church, with a missional message. The missional movement must be a vital part of making disciples. If it is not taught and modeled, it won’t be transferred to the next generation of disciples.

If you’re not currently including the missional movement in your ministry, examine yourself and your ministry to discover what strategic role you can play in sending workers into the harvest. Then consider a few ways you can intentionally add a missional component to your life and your ministry.

1. Devote time to pray strategically for the unreached nations/people groups.
2. Make sure a portion of your giving is connected to reaching the unreached.
3. Lead others to get involved in fulfilling the Great Commission (mobilization).
4. Try to connect with and encourage the few believers in the unreached areas and those that are working among them.
5. Consider going on a short-term trip. Invest your time and money for a week or two out of the year to serve among the unreached.

These are five ways you can add the movement or missional element to your disciple-making ministry. Try them out and discover which role(s) God has for you. Lastly, try this play on words to help challenge your thinking. Missions is a part of making disciples or making disciples is a part of missions. Maybe it’s just semantics. Either way making disciples is fantastic. However, connecting yourself and your disciples strategically to God’s desire to see the whole earth reflecting His glory can be life changing. I say go for it!