The Seven Phases of Great Commission Progress
The conversation about how and when to mark a specific people group or a particular place as engaged with the Gospel has been going on for a long time. It is an important conversation because it determines where both financial and human resources will be directed. It can also be dangerous if not approached with caution. For example, depending on where you look, you can find evidence to support that a significant portion of lostness in Asia is considered unreached, while only a small percentage of the total population is considered unengaged. Or, if you’re laboring in the West you may presume everyone in your context has heard the Gospel; however, in reality, many are still far from God.
To address this issue and reflect the reality on the ground, a group of individuals from multiple mission agencies came together to define specific phases of Great Commission progress. These phases outline the journey of how the Kingdom of God naturally grows among a people or in a place. The ultimate goal is to see complete transformation and societal change through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Let us briefly define these phases of progress and then consider the importance of ongoing Great Commission toil.
Phase 1: Adoption
The first phase is adoption, often referred to as calling. It is the moment when God's heart for a particular people or place becomes the believer's heart. This adoption sets the foundation for action and involvement in reaching that people or place. It may involve preparation, prayer, and training before actively engaging. The key is to align one's heart with God's heart and say "yes" to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to engage this people or place. It’s important to note that if you don’t feel a particular calling on your life yet, living out Christ's command to make disciples wherever we live may also be how God calls us to adopt a specific people or place.
Phase 2: Gospel
The second phase is called Gospel, which is where we are actively entering places and engaging the people there with the intention of sharing the Gospel. This phase involves sowing the seed of the Gospel in a regular and consistent manner. There could be any number of methods and engagement strategies to do so, but the goal is to establish a rhythm of engagement that goes beyond occasional visits and becomes a regular part of life.
Phase 3: Believers
Phase three focuses on believers and the importance of baptism. This phase marks the transition from simply sowing the Gospel to seeing individuals respond and become believers. Baptism is seen as a significant step in the discipleship process. It demonstrates a public commitment to follow Christ and signifies the beginning of a new life in Him. If phases one and two could be described as controllable, then phase three and beyond would be described as uncontrollable. To say it another way: We continue to be intentional to pursue the activities seen in the Bible but also keep in mind that only the Spirit can bring new life.
Phase 4: Local Church
In phase four, the focus shifts to the formation of local churches. This phase recognizes the importance of community and identifies the emergence of leaders within the church. The process of forming a local church involves gathering believers, identifying as church, and allowing leadership to develop naturally. An active and ever-maturing local church is a crucial stage in the progression toward complete societal change through the Gospel.
Phase 5: Churches Reproducing
Phase five marks the point where churches begin to reproduce themselves. This phase occurs when individuals within a local church take the initiative to share the Gospel, disciple new believers, and start new churches. It is a multiplication effect where every believer becomes actively involved in the work of the Great Commission. Reproduction will happen when many individuals are collectively engaging in the “work” of Kingdom expansion. Phase five is realized through the organic and intentional mobilization toward lostness.
Phase 6: Churches Multiplying
Phase six signifies the multiplication of churches. At this stage, the focus is on equipping and empowering leaders to continue the work of multiplication. This involves overcoming challenges related to leadership development and generational church maturity. The goal is to reach fourth-generation churches and beyond to ensure the work is not solely dependent on one individual’s influence. Multiplication will be essential to reaching a multitude of people.
Phase 7: Sustained Gospel Presence
The final phase is sustained Gospel presence. It represents the stage in which the Gospel has permeated every aspect of the people or place. It is characterized by the widespread proclamation of the Gospel, the presence of mature local expressions of the church, and a continuous influx of new believers. However, it is important to approach this phase with caution, as it can lead to complacency and the neglect of ongoing work.
Maintaining Urgency
The Great Commission resets every generation. The people that existed for our ancestors to reach are not the people we engage today. This underscores the urgency with which we approach the task. Void of ongoing progress any given people or place is one generation from returning to phase one. Therefore, though we may be riding the momentum of previous generations, it’s important that we take ownership for the task of reaching those far from God today. Though you may feel the people or place you’re laboring is at phase seven, bear in mind that, devoid of ongoing progress, your grandchildren may find it completely unengaged. Without the DNA and intentionality needed for multiplication, history has shown this scenario is more than just hypothetical; regression is likely to happen.
One of the most crucial pieces for sustaining progress for decades to come is intentional engagement of adjacent people segments and nearby places. Additionally, sending to peoples and places a considerable distance from your local church should be seen as a responsibility of every local body and will aid in maintaining the urgency of the task both at home and abroad.
Conclusion
The seven phases of Great Commission progress provide a framework for understanding the journey toward complete transformation and societal change through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Each phase represents a distinct coaching moment and a step closer to the ultimate goal. By staying mindful of these phases and taking actionable steps, believers can actively participate in the work of the Great Commission and see the Kingdom of God expand.
It’s crucial to note that the phases are not intended to be applied as a pragmatic approach to missions nor as a source of our identity. Remember: Our identity is found in Christ, and apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:4). However, when applied appropriately, the phases help us assess the current state of Great Commission progress amongst a particular people or place so we can coach and pray toward further progress. By identifying what phase we’re currently at, we can recognize the biblical activities we need to pursue to see further progress until the reality of the Habakkuk 2:14 vision is realized and the knowledge of the glory of God truly saturates the earth. This is a vision that can only be accomplished through the empowerment of and reliance on the Spirit of God. Yet this dependency on the Spirit leaves no room for our complacency. Let us lean into Christ and get about His work.
This article is based on the video on the same topic, which you can find here.