Is the Commission Still Great?: 8 Myths about Missions and What They Mean for the Church

by Steve Richardson

Dismantling the Myths that Obscure God’s Great Plan   The primary mission of the church is to glorify God by blessing all peoples of the world through the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Great Commission’s task of global disciple-making is the most ambitious project ever undertaken. Given the scale and complexity of global missions, it’s no wonder that misconceptions abound, even among invested, godly people. Questions and skepticism about missions arise from both outside and inside the church. Is missions an outdated idea? Do missionaries do more harm than good? Are we succeeding or failing? Is it time for global believers to do the job in their own countries with minimal Western involvement? We don’t need to fear questions like these. But we do need to seek—and find—solid, biblical answers. Is the Commission Still Great?  dismantles the myths that obscure God’s beautiful plan to make disciples of all nations. Misperceptions discourage God’s people from joyfully participating with Him in reaching the world. Yet, deepening our understanding of the call to missions restores perspective and motivates us to participate in God’s grand design. Author and missionary kid Steve Richardson uses stories from Scripture, history, and his own ministry experience to impart timely lessons on modern missions. Richardson also draws from the wisdom of field missionaries, sending agencies, pastors, and church members to address this all-important endeavor. Each chapter finishes with thought-provoking questions to facilitate purposeful discussion in families and small groups. Is the Commission Still Great ? will equip followers of Christ to be participants—not spectators—in the redemption of the world.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Theology, Nonfiction

206 pages, Paperback

Published October 4, 2022

Reviews

[Johnny · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was in my first year of theological seminary, I was required to take a course which was labeled “Missions” (I don’t remember if it had a 101 or 1A after it.) but was taught by a professor who preferred the term “Mission.” Said professor believed the entire “mission” of the church revolved around reaching the world. He posited that the plural noun enabled us to segregate what was supposed to be our primary focus into just another aspect of what we do.

In Is the Commission Still Great?, Steve Richardson, President of Pioneers-USA (an unapologetic missions organization), makes a counterpoint. He recognizes that the focus on “Mission” leads to an “everything we do is missions” mentality that can have the same effect as genericide in consumer branding. He cites the use of such formerly trademarked names treated as common such as: Thermos, Velcro, Kleenex, Jacuzzi, and Frisbee (p. 58, and he could have added Xerox). He also mentions escalator, laundromat, and zipper as common nouns victimized by this practice (p. 67). Once the names are treated as common nouns instead of trademarks, it is extremely difficult to make brand distinctions among one’s competitors. That hurts business and viability.

Richardson contends that when we lose track of “missions” as a focus of “…the intentional process of crossing cultural, linguistic, and (often) geographic barriers…” (p. 64) to share the gospel, it dilutes our focus on the global aspect of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and God’s plan (Acts 1:8) such that we “…can go on making more disciples, but it is unlikely they will be from every language, tribe, and tongue.” (p. 66) I very much agree with his point. I saw this in publishing in that printing a picture without a caption meant that people didn’t know what they were supposed to be looking at and thinking about. Subsuming everything a church (or a believer) does under one rubric of “Mission” is like a picture without a caption. “Where do we start?” And if we don’t know where to start, we are unlikely to do anything.

This misconception about a church’s missionary focus is only one of eight (8) oversimplifications or overt errors addressed in Is the Commission Still Great?. Since a large part of what Richardson’s organization must do is raise money for missionary support, he is quite sensitized to the argument that funds raised for missionary efforts can take away from local efforts. He recognizes that it is difficult to balance needs, justice, and gospel, but he asserts: “Aligning ourselves with God’s priorities allows us to accomplish the more tangible help that we long to bring to a hurting world. Society changes when hearts change.” (p. 87) He offers a quotation from John Piper’s message at the 2010 Lausanne Conference to underscore the point: “We Christians care about all suffering, especially eternal suffering.” (also p. 87) Richardson strikes quickly after that quotation: “We preach the gospel because we care too much to let people live and die without eternal hope.” (still p. 87)

To some reading this short review, the above paragraph may seem simplistic, but I found myself gravitating to Richardson’s perspective (as if I wasn’t somewhat already there), especially when he cites the sociological correlation between Protestant missionary effort and the democratization of new nations (p. 143) and the revival of a dead Native American language because of the efforts of a Colonial Era Bible translator (Puritan, in fact—p. 145). Of course, those two data also reflect on his observation that sending western missionaries to foreign people groups is not imperialism because western efforts should be collaborative enough to: encourage rather than supervise, to assist rather than control, and to respect local culture which is not counter to Christian teaching.
He even offers a resolution for balancing short-term missions (the “in-thing” among current evangelicals, since a 2012 survey indicated that 23% of evangelical Christians had participated in one or more short-term mission trips—p. 93) and long-term mission efforts: “I propose that our core strategy be long-term incarnational ministry, strengthened by an array of complementary approaches such as short-term trips, strategic funding of partners, and virtual participation.” (p. 98) Of course, that means he needed to list some of the problems that ill-planned and poorly executed short-term missions can cause to long-term ministries.

Richardson’s volume is replete with insightful quotations and illustrations. One quotation regarded biblical interpretation and I liked it a lot, even before he used it to suggest that modern Christians are often too binary in their approach to missions, as well as interpretation. “It seems easier to go to a consistent extreme than to stay at the center of biblical tension.” (Robertson McQuilkin, quoted on p. 75) My other favorite was used to introduce a chapter: “It has been said that Jesus promised his disciples three things—that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy, and in constant trouble.” (William Barclay, quoted on p. 111)

Though much of the volume will be predictable for anyone who has ministered for any length of time, Is the Commission Still Great? offers a sound foundation for answering some of the dangerous and misguided questions of the current age. The stories are fresh and the applications do not gloss over the technical and societal changes that have occurred with the current millennium.

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

After recently reading another book on being more purposeful in my Christian life, this book coincides in many ways and really touched me. Is the Commission Still Great? is sad in some ways, but mostly inspiring.

It is evident that churches have pushed away the “Great Commission” (missions and evangelism) and reformation is needed. Greatly.

This book will probably answer most questions (if not all) that you have about missions…what missionaries are, what they do… We are all called to share the Good News, and this book certainly motivates readers to do just that.

First Line: I grew up on the island of New Guinea at the junction of two rivers that fed the surrounding forests and swamps and filled them with crocodiles, cockatoos, and all manner of edible creatures and plants.
Genre: Christian Missions, Evangelism
Author: Steve Richardson
Page Count: 208

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine. MPNews

[Elsa Fast · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has the potential to propel the Western church,once again, into the harvest field!
An important read for mission and church leaders. Even in ministry contexts we prioritize other things over the Great Commission and the unreached. Richardson lays out 8 reasons our Christian culture has slipped into prioritizing other things. His clear arguments make me feel equipped to challenge churches, organizations, and friends to consider their contribution to the Great Commission.
Quick, easy, and very applicable read!!

[Jeffrey Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent thoughts on the relevance of the Great Commission for today! Below are some personal takeaways:


It’s often thought Jesus gave the Great Commission at the end of His life, almost like an afterthought right before He left. This is not the case. The Great Commission was the plan of God before Jesus was born in a manger.

Many Christians are not sure how crucial the Great Commission really is.

Reaching the nations is not just one of the ways to please God.

The Great Commission is the central of God’s message, and the primary responsibility of His church.

You’re not responsible to finish the Great Commission, but you are responsible to be faithful to the Great Commission.

Drifting from missions is a great threat to both the Christian individual and the church.

A difficulty is when missionaries start churches in other countries without teaching them missionary DNA. In other words, they teach how to be a witness in their community, but not the need for sending missionaries.

The church is not short on missionaries because they are too expensive, but because we have not given missions proper priority in our decision-making and finances.

If we stop sending missionaries, we become disconnected from the work.

We will not all be missionaries, but we should all have a missions mindset.

There’s a healthy tension we should feel to get the Gospel to the nations. If you do not feel the tension, consider whether or not you’ve lost the vision for your community and the nations.

Discipleship is a process, not an event.

Every pastor and staff member should take an international missions trip at least every other year. Your congregation is not the field. The field is the world. Your congregating contains a force given by God to help reach the world.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a Jesus follower who sometimes wonders or doubts whether "missions" or the Great Commission are still relevant, I recommend reading this book. It covers 8 of the most common reasons why church goers question the importance of cross-cultural missions. It's highly readable and makes excellent points using both logic and interesting stories or illustrations. Not too academic or long, just enough to address the questions and concerns many people honestly have.

[Michael Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid work with many good thoughts and points about missions in our world today. A good book for a missions committee to consider. He gives many helpful illustrations and statistics about what is going on in the world today. I was also encouraged to review the work of his father, Don Richardson, who I met many years ago. Kathy and I watched the short video he mentioned called “never the same: celebrating 50 years since peace child.” You can find it on YouTube.

[Michael Schmid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on the relevancy and importance of missions for this day and age. Not only provides good arguments for missions against those who would attack the whole idea of missions, but also provides reasons and motivations for Christians to be involved in the Great Commission. An insightful, interesting and important book.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!!! Especially for anyone interested in, curious about, skeptical of, confused about, or working within missions. Really helpful, succinct responses and packed with statistics, memorable anecdotes, and first-hand experiences.

[Pat Roseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books on missions I’ve read. I wish everyone in the church would read it.

[Bethany T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encouraging and compelling! Reminder of the honor and the urgency of the Great Commission for all people!

[Becky Durstenfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good book. It is a quick easy read, but with important points. It would be good for church and missions leaders to read this book.

[David Joannes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! I was also honored to write an endorsement for it.

[Christine Ferch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great option for book studies and discussion groups within the church on missions. It breaks down 8 common misperceptions with clarity and brevity.

[Rebecca van den Ham · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book by someone who knows a thing or two about missions. Loved how he got me going in each chapter, then flipped that kind of thinking on its head.
Yes! The commission is still great!

[Ryan Fregoso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book about the goals and misconceptions about mission and the Great Commission.

[Marti Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

In our day, skeptics raise lots of questions about international missions—and increasingly, so do many of the Christians who may have previously accepted these efforts without much thought. Rather than fearing or rejecting such questions, this author presses in for a closer look. Is the day for Western missionaries past? Can local evangelists and short-term helpers complete the job without long-term missionaries? Is missions just for a select few? Are mission efforts harmful? Ineffective? In this book, mission leader and winsome writer Steve Richardson identifies, analyzes, and addresses eight perceptions that keep people from participating in global missions. He draws on research data, helpful metaphors and illustrations, and of course his own experience. This book is a good resource for mission advocates and skeptics alike.

Disclaimer, I did some editorial work on this book. Our team and the folks at Moody put their best into this, and the result is an excellent and well-designed book.