This article is the latest in a series dealing with questions to ask when consulting with a church. This month’s question: "Is the church driven by a Great Commission focus?" forces congregations to look at their global commitment.

Five times, Jesus expressed some form of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:46-49, John 20:21, Acts 1:8).* It is Matthew’s account, however, that best describes our goal in fulfilling this commission: making disciples around the world who obediently follow Christ’s teachings.

A brief look at these texts reveals several basic truths about the Great Commission:

* Christ is the authority who demands our obedience to the commission (Matt. 28:18, John 20:21.)

* Not only is Jesus the one who commissions us, he is the focus of our message; that is, the gospel is our message (Mark 16:15, Luke 24:46-47.)

* Preaching, teaching, and baptizing are strategies employed to fulfill the commission (Matt. 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:47.)

* The message we proclaim is for the world (Matt. 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:27, Acts 1:8.)

* Christ promises us His power and His presence as we strive to fulfill the commission (Matt. 28:20, Luke 24:49, John 20:22, Acts 1:8.) We never accomplish the Great Commission alone.

Clearly, preaching the gospel and making disciples of people groups worldwide mattered to Jesus—so these tasks must concern churches today. Regrettably, many have become so inwardly focused that church is more about protecting the status quo than about reaching out beyond themselves. As a consultant, you will want to help a church evaluate its global focus and re-direct its attention as needed. These steps may help you to do that.

1. Ask the pastor to describe his personal passion for global missions.

Where the pastor is not committed to reaching the world, the church is unlikely to be that concerned. I will sometimes ask the pastor if he has led or participated in an international missions trip within the last five years. If not—and there are seemingly no obvious limitations to doing so—I wonder about the strength of his commitment to the Great Commission.

2. Check the church’s budget for a line item committed to missions.

Here, your analysis should include two facets. First, find out how much money the church sends to missions causes. Then, interview church members to determine whether they realize that the church supports missions through offerings. Giving dollars is important, but churches aren’t globally-minded if individual members lack a heartfelt desire to reach the world.

3. Determine if the church has sent a missions team to any place in the world in the last two years.

One of the best ways to increase a church’s passion for the Great Commission is to send members on a mission trip. When they return and relate their experiences, other members often find it hard to remain unconcerned. Missions fervor is infectious.

4. Ask when a "real live missionary" last spoke to the church.

The face of missions is most often the person on the field; the fuel of missions stems from the stories missionaries share. If members cannot remember the last time a missionary spoke to the church, their global focus is probably weak.

5. Determine if the church is intentionally and consistently praying for God to call laborers from their congregation (Luke 10:2).

An inward focus says, "God, give us laborers to grow our church." An outward focus says, "God, send us out to the fields to grow your church." The church that is willing to commit its children and young people to missionary service reflects a Great Commission focus.

6. More specifically, evaluate the church’s missions programs for children and youth.

Does the church prioritize teaching the next generation about missions? When the children of the church think about their heroes, will missionaries be among them? If not, leaders need to reevaluate missions education programs.

7. See if the church is participating in a local church plant.

Quite often, the church that is Great Commission-minded enthusiastically supports new churches in its immediate geographic location. They are more concerned about reaching people than about "protecting their turf." The Great Commission demands making disciples where we live as well as around the world.

Finally, consultant, be aware that you will not likely be concerned about a church’s Great Commission focus unless your heart burns to make disciples. Examining ourselves may be the first step in helping a local church do the same kind of evaluation.

* Many scholars do not view Mark 16:9-20 as part of the original text. Regardless of your view, the Great Commission passage clearly reflects other passages in the gospels.

Editor’s Note: This article is the third in a series dealing with questions to ask when consulting with a church. Read the other articles:

Is the church’s teaching based on the Bible?
Is the church a praying church?

Chuck Lawless, Ph.D., is Professor of Evangelism and Church Growth and Dean of the Billy Graham School at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of four books, including his latest, "Membership Matters : Insights from Effective Churches on New Member Classes and Assimilation."  Dr. Lawless also consults with churches on church health and growth and is an instructor with Church Central’s Church Consultant Training.