The Great Commission is a wonderful opportunity to please the Lord with our prayers, pursuance and persistence for souls. Did you know that most Christians have slipped in following the Lord with witnessing? All believers are to be missionaries where we live, work and play. The reason why many churches struggle with attrition is because the Great Commission is not implemented. Let us break down that sentence into bite size portions.
1. The Great Commission is God’s plan to see the world come to know Jesus, and I benefited from it! The Lord became my Savior because a church was planted, the teachers were trained, my parents were disciples and when I was convicted of my sin by the Holy Spirit I was led to Christ by those new disciples. Seeing that the Great Commission had such an impact on my life how much more should I desire to practice it in my life? Much more! The Great Commission is found in Matthew 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. If you are not following the Lord with distributing His message of love, forgiveness and salvation you are missing out on the blessing of seeing others come to the Lord with the Great Commission.
2. Attrition defined according to the dictionary is: “: a reduction in numbers usually as a result of resignation, retirement, or death” that is part of any business, even the Lord’s business, the Church! People are moving from the status they are presently to other places to live, sometimes they drift away from the Lord (apathy, doctrinal heresy, sin allowed into their lives) and some pass away. However, God has a plan to fill the ranks, to help with the “attrition” vacuum that is left: New Converts! The conversion of a soul is a great moment in Heaven and on earth too! With the guarantee of eternal salvation according to 1 John 5:11 “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” there comes a natural opportunity for service through the local church which will be enhanced through discipleship training.
3. As you well know it is the Lord that builds and grows His Church through His own power. The Christians have the honor to take His Word to the unbelievers and trust God for the Lord to work in their heart to be converted to salvation through Christ. To help the new convert follow the Lord through the assembly of the local Bible teaching/preaching church is not only a blessing but it is essential for their progress. I personally have benefited by believers teaching Bible lessons and preachers expounding on the Word of God. There will be no shortage of people in God’s House when God’s children follow God’s Word and method of reaching out to others through the power of the Holy Spirit.