There has been a pretty good discussion about Classis Northern Illinois’ Overture 15, with regard to focusing on the Great Commission. It is all well and good to say that we want to keep the main thing the main thing. Problem is, we can’t decide on the main thing. Is it evangelism? Is it discipleship? It is evangelism with follow-up of discipleship? Is it questions of Biblical interpretation or is it matters of Kingdom Consciousness? Is it Biblical Interpretation with a side of Kingdom Consciousness? Or is it Kingdom Consciousness with an appetizer of Biblical Interpretation?
Within the Agenda for Synod 2013, we have our very own case study. Let’s say we accede to Overture 15. The main thing is the Great Commission. Which, if any, of the following then fall under the mandate of Synod and our denomination:
Overture 11 What is the impact of Eastern Mystical Practices (namely practice of martial arts and yoga) on the Spiritual Lives of Christians and the Church as a whole?
Overture 9 What should the church’s response be to religious persecution and liberty? This overture is specific to the persecution of Christians and the curtailing of Christian liberties. Does that make the Overture more of a “main thing” than if they also wanted to address a Christian response to the persecution or limitations of other religious groups?
Overture 8 Classis Grand Rapids East wants the denomination to posit a position on the use of capital punishment. What has this to do with the Gospel? I mean, no one in Jesus’ day was ever an innocent victim of government-sanctioned death, right?
Which of any of the above listed have anything at all to do with the Great Commission and WHY?