Out of Commission: Getting Every Christian Back to the Great Commission

by Paul Chappell

Is Christ’s last command your first priority? Out of Commission is a call for every Christian to reengage in reaching the lost through focused soulwinning and fervent discipleship. You’d be hard pressed to meet a dedicated Christian who doesn’t say the greatest work on Earth is evangelization. But, while all of us give lip service to evangelizing and discipling, the effect of our labor seems woefully behind. Somewhere there is a disconnect between the priorities we claim and the actions we practice. Something is broken—or maybe just out of commission. This book is an invitation to “look under the hood”—to examine why we don’t witness for Christ as we should, why our local churches are neglecting soulwinning and discipleship, and how we can get back to making Christ’s last command our first priority. Written for every Christian who desires to obey the Great Commission of Christ, this comprehensive volume is motivational and practical, diagnostic and corrective. Whether you are new to evangelism or an experienced soulwinner, Out of Commission will challenge and equip you to share your faith and more effectively reach your community for Christ.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Ebooks, Nonfiction

258 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Dr. Paul Chappell is the senior pastor of the Lancaster Baptist Church and president of West Coast Baptist College in Lancaster, California. His biblical vision has led the church to become one of the most dynamic independent Baptist churches in the nation. He has been married to his wife for over thirty-six years and is the father of four married children all serving in Christian ministry. His books can be found at http://www.strivingtogether.com.

Reviews

[Josh Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read quite a few of Paul Chappell's book, I believe this has been one of his finest. Some of his books are a bit dry, but I found this one to be a compelling, balanced approach to the subject of the Great Commission.

It is often that you find two camps pitted at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to the Great Commission. There are many churches who teach and preach and practice soul winning, soul winning, soul winning but do a poor job of discipleship (which is just as much a part of the Great Commission). At the other end are churches who are excellent at the discipleship piece of the Great Commission but are not reaching anyone with their evangelistic or soul winning efforts because they basically are not pursuing souls.

Chappell has done a good job writing a Biblically sound book filled with philosophy and practicality concerning the Great Commission. And from what I can tell, he and his church successfully practice what he teaches in the book. It is no wonder that his church is a very solid, growing (quite young still), balanced work.

There were several things that I really loved about the book. First, the teaching infused throughout the book that we are not the ones that win souls, the Holy Spirit does, was refreshing to me. Yes - He uses us, but He is the one winning them! I loved the emphasis put on the reliance on the Holy Spirit of when to witness and when not to witness. Some teachers/preachers would say that you need to give the gospel to every person, every time you come in contact with them. Chappell teaches that we should be aggressive in our soul winning while at the same time relying on the Holy Spirit to give direction/wisdom on when to pursue the discussion of salvation with a lost soul. Second, the chapter on "The Priority of Discipleship" was pure gold!

Here are a couple of quotes from the chapter on discipleship:

"What does it require (discipleship)? I believe it requires three biblical components - an atmosphere of growth, a spirit of hospitality, and an equipped church."

"Hospitality opens hearts. When you invite someone to your home, you invite them into your life."

"Opening your home never happens by accident. (Ask my wife.) It requires time, planning, and genuine care."

"Adult Bible classes (which we refer to as Sunday school classes or adult Bible fellowships) should be greenhouses of dynamic spiritual growth."

"At Lancaster Baptist Church, the adult Bible classes are the hub of our church."

This book blessed my heart in a big way! It would be helpful to anyone, not just pastors, who has a heart to reach people with the gospel and grow people with the gospel!

[Mark McElreath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful book on soulwinning with key application and examples of how to organize a church for evangelistic outreach.

[Johnathan Lendley · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book that encourages partial obedience to the Great Commission, this is it. To fully obey the Great Commission is to make disciples who make disciples (the command is literally to make disciples). Discipleship is a process and evangelism is only part of that process. Discipleship is relational, meaning a disciple-maker mentors a disciple in the faith. Evangelism is NOT the totality of the Great Commission, but merely a part of the Great Commission.

[Richard M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical evangelism for Christ, based on actual experience.

For anyone who wants to obey the command of Jesus to go into the world and make disciples. This book is based on the Bible. It is not just theories or hopes. It is based on a practical method of organizing evangelism that has proven effective for dozens of years. I highly recommend that you read it and implement it. Make sure that you link up people who are inexperienced at sharing God's word with experienced people while they learn. Then let these newly trained people go out and talk to their friends and acquaintances about Jesus and his love for them. Don't just read this book, actually DO what it, and the words of Jesus, say to do!!!

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a few books on evangelicalism, but I found this one the most helpful. The book has two parts; A) why and how a person should and can be obedient to the Great Commission, and B) how a church can setup an effective evangelistic program. There are several ideas that churches and people can use as it works in their unique situation.

[Garrett Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Christian needs to read this book. Every Christian!

[Abbie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for getting a desire to share God's Word with others!

[Ben Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant.

[Fred Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most practical and engaging books on soul winning I’ve ever read.

[Jacob Coldwell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had hope in the beginning

Seriously thought this would be a decent tool to help in sharing the gospel. The first few chapters were promising, but eventually the book turns to a program of insurance schemes. The same structure they teach to sell insurance are duplicated as a way to be faithful to the great commission. Sadly the book fails to elevate God and salvation is reduced to saying a prayer with a pastor.

[Lee Rubsam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read for all believers to help us refocus on our responsibility to bring the gospel to the lost and to disciple new Christians. The last 1/3 of the book is geared toward those in church leadership, and gives strategies for mobilizing the local church to win souls and plug new believers into the church.

A simple outline to take the novice soul winner step by step through presenting the gospel was lacking, and that would have been helpful. But I still felt it was an excellent book.

[Dustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book on soul winning I've read by far!!!! Encouraged me to get out and knock on doors like never before, with a renewed commitment to a solid gospel presentation and follow up. Every believer who wants to improve in the area of evangelism should read this book.

[Ryan Rench · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read little from Striving Together, but this book was sitting on my shelf and I felt like I needed the encouragement to go soul-winning. This book delivered. It is both educational AND inspirational (which is what I needed.)