Why does the church, regardless of denomination, seem to have lost relevance in the twenty-first century? The pews are empty except for weddings and funerals. Those that are filled don’t seem any different than a party house. I argue that the thing that made the church so distinctly different is what has been lost due to Christians unwillingness to be uncomfortable.
The Great Commission
Matthew 28:18-20 “ And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Other non-Christian religions, such as Atheism, Mormonism, Islam, Jehovah Witness, and others continue to grow in popularity because they do one thing better than Christians–evangelize. Look at the examples before you. Sharia law, a derivitaive of the Islam faith, continues to be brought before government bodies. Atheism is profuse through the public school system. Mormons and Jerhovah witnesses go door to door, spreading their news. Where are the Christians? William Carey states that some have concluded that the Great Commission was only given for the original apostles, (William Carey, An Inquiry, 5). However, this response is only a disquise for the true issue, and Carey notes it with three statements:
“First, if the command of Christ to teach all nations be restricted to the apostles, or those under the immediate inspiration of the Holy Ghost, then that of baptizing should be so too; and every denomination of Christians, except the Quakers, do wrong in baptizing with water at all.”
“Secondly, if the command of Christ to teach all nations be confined to the apostles, then all such ordinary ministers who have endeavored to carry the gospel to the heathens have acted without a warrant and run before they were sent.”
“Thirdly, if the command of Christ to teach all nations extend only to the apostles, then, doubtless, the promise of the divine presence in this work must be so limited; but this is worded in such a manner as expressly precludes such an idea: “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Mat 28:20).”
William Carey, An Inquiry, 5-6.
Get to know Mr. Carey
Born: August 17th, 1761 in Paulerspury, England
Occupation: Shoemaker, pastor, missionary, translator, professor
Legacy: Missionary work in India
Died: 1834 in Serampore
His work was so inspiring that the previosuly named Pearl River Boarding School changed in 2006 to William Carey University, in honor of his passions and actions in the mission field.
Personal Life Transformation
From the age of sixteen to twenty-eight, Carey worked as a shoemaker, (Smith, Life of William Carey, 3). During this time, when he turned eighteen, he gave his life to Christ, (Smith, Life of William Carey, 10), and then immediately studied God’s word and became a preacher soon after, (Smith, Life of William Carey, 11). After his baptism, he soon became a preacher. This was not enough. It is recounted that every opportunity, whether through prayer, conversation, events, his passion to reach others for Christ around the world was on his lips, Smith, Life of William Carey, 20).
1783: Converted to Christianity
1787: Ordained as a pastor
1787-90: Carey increases talks about mission work
1788: Moved to pastor in Leicester
1791: Two major sermons on missions; 1 Kings 6:10; Haggai 1:2
1792: Sermon over Isaiah 54:2-3
All previous timeline material, Cox, Baptist Missionary Society, 9-17.
1813: Missions in India
Cox, Baptist Missionary Society, 244
Going from Talking to Action: Missions
William Carey was swift to take action in his life. As a young boy, he learned a trade. As a young man, he learned the gospel. Soon after, he studied what it meant to be a Christian and taught this to others as a pastor. As God impressed upon him the seriousness to share the gospel with others, he did not ignore but took action. Even through poverty criticism, and other obstacles, he saw the command to go to all people groups to share good news of the gospel. This is what set Christians apart from all others, a serious relationship that led to intellectual inquiry that led to action. Carey studied, understood, and practiced the gospel in his life.
Questions to Reflect on
For the non-Christian: Have you noticed God tugging on your heart to learn him but you just cannot find a church that is any different than the world? Instead of trying to find a local church, find a strong Christian mentor and start there.
For the Christian: What are the characteristics of a church that are needed to follow Jesus Great Commission before it is too late? What can you do within your local church and community to advance the gospel?
“the leaders of the missionary enterprise have become more and more convinced that the realisation of Carey’s ideal has been too long delayed, and that the influence of the Christian community on the great movements of Indian thought has suffered in consequence.”
Smith, Life of William Carey, 240.
Final Thought: 2 Misconceptions
First, you do not have to be globally known. In fact, many of the people recorded in history were only recognized posthumously, as interest in their life spread after their passing. The point is this, you do not have to be a Martin Luther, a Jan Hus, or a William Carey to follow what God has said. Just be faithful. God did not promise them to be known for centuries, they just were obedient to Christ’s leading.
Second, the mission field does not have to be overseas. The mission field can be your family, your neighbor, your community. If God calls you to a region, whether local or otherwise, the most important thing is to be obedient to the One who saved you. May God lead you to either encoruage or start a mission’s mindset in your church.
Bibliography
- Carey, William. An Enquiry Into The Obligations Of Christians To Use Means For The Conversion Of The Heathens. Leicester, England: Ann Ireland, 1792.
- Carey, S. Pearce. William Carey. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1923.
- Cox, Francis Augustus, and James Peggs. History Of The Baptist Missionary Society, From 1792-1842. Vol. 1. London: T. Ward & Co. and G. & J. Dyer, 1842.
- Smith, George. The Life Of William Carey, Shoemaker And Missionary. London: John Murray, 1885.
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