Thank you Leon for your post and your reflection on "beachhead".
Going back and reading the great commission once again, and reflecting on Jesus "instructions" throughout the Gospel accounts, you are right when you say that you "believe that the task of developing churches was (not) foremost in Jesus’ mind". I understand that the salvation of individuals was foremost in Jesus' mind.
Following an in-depth study of the great commission several years ago, we found that the starting point of being part of God's Great Commission was at the end of the text, requiring us to first learn to obey what Jesus teaches us about kingdom life and our commitment to living to His standards. Only when we have learned to obey Jesus in life value terms, are we obedient in "...teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
"They/them" have to go through the same cycle of accepting and obeying what Jesus teaches them, the result of which is manifest in their public confession of their personal (not private) faith through Baptism.
The community of disciples is the community of those who have gone through this process and they comprise the Church.
Ultimately, the Church as insitution does not fulfill God's Great Commission; individuals do. The Church as institution resources us to be a part of God's Great Commission.
Your last question, "Are we providing the tools that followers of Christ need..." is the question the Church as institution should be asking. Individuals who have surrendered their lives to obey Jesus and follow Him into God's Kingdom by following God's Great Commission, can help respond whether the Church is indeed providing them with the right (appropriate) tools.
I would be keen to read other's thoughts and reflections (even studies) into this.
Than you for your post and comment on "beach head"
Posted in: Establishing 'Beachheads'
Thank you Leon for your post and your reflection on "beachhead".
Going back and reading the great commission once again, and reflecting on Jesus "instructions" throughout the Gospel accounts, you are right when you say that you "believe that the task of developing churches was (not) foremost in Jesus’ mind". I understand that the salvation of individuals was foremost in Jesus' mind.
Following an in-depth study of the great commission several years ago, we found that the starting point of being part of God's Great Commission was at the end of the text, requiring us to first learn to obey what Jesus teaches us about kingdom life and our commitment to living to His standards. Only when we have learned to obey Jesus in life value terms, are we obedient in "...teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
"They/them" have to go through the same cycle of accepting and obeying what Jesus teaches them, the result of which is manifest in their public confession of their personal (not private) faith through Baptism.
The community of disciples is the community of those who have gone through this process and they comprise the Church.
Ultimately, the Church as insitution does not fulfill God's Great Commission; individuals do. The Church as institution resources us to be a part of God's Great Commission.
Your last question, "Are we providing the tools that followers of Christ need..." is the question the Church as institution should be asking. Individuals who have surrendered their lives to obey Jesus and follow Him into God's Kingdom by following God's Great Commission, can help respond whether the Church is indeed providing them with the right (appropriate) tools.
I would be keen to read other's thoughts and reflections (even studies) into this.
Than you for your post and comment on "beach head"
Blessings
Kalyan