Beyond the Pulpit: Every Believer’s Calling to the Community

The Great Commission

Matthew 28:18-20

¹⁶Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

To outline the Great Commission from a broader biblical perspective, we have to look at it not just as a “religious task,” but as a comprehensive mandate for every believer to influence the world. It is the ultimate “activation” of the believer’s life.

The Great Commission: A Universal Blueprint for Action

I. The Foundation: All Authority

The Text: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (v. 18)
The Meaning: Before Jesus gives the command, He establishes His “legal right” to rule.
Application: For the believer, this means we don’t go out in our own strength or under our own “brand.” We operate under a “Heavenly Charter” that supersedes human titles. Whether you are a teacher, a carpenter, or a chaplain, your work carries the weight of Kingdom authority.

II. The Action: The “As You Go” Strategy

The Text: “Go therefore…” (v. 19)
The Meaning: In the original Greek, the word for “Go” (poreuthentes) is often understood as a participle meaning “as you are going.” * Application: The Commission isn’t just a mission trip to a foreign land; it is a lifestyle.
- As you go to the grocery store…
- As you go to the community center…
- As you organize your neighborhood…
- You are on mission.

III. The Objective: Discipling Nations

The Text: “…and make disciples of all nations.” (v. 19)
The Meaning: The word “nations” refers to ethne—not just political borders, but people groups, cultures, and neighborhoods.
Application: Making a disciple isn’t just getting someone to say a prayer; it’s helping them live a better way.
- Self-Sufficiency: Teaching someone to provide for their family is a form of discipling them in stewardship.
- Community Organizing: Bringing peace to a fractured street is discipling that “people group” in the ways of Christ.

IV. The Method: Baptism and Immersion

The Text: “…baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (v. 19)
The Meaning: Baptism is an act of identification. It signifies being “immersed” into a new family and a new way of being.
Application: We help people find a new identity. Many in our communities identify as “poor,” “addicted,” or “forgotten.” The Commission calls us to help them identify as “beloved,” “capable,” and “part of a community.”

V. The Education: Teaching to Observe (Apply)

The Text: “…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (v. 20)
The Meaning: Jesus didn’t say teach them to know the commands, but to observe (obey/do) them.
Application: This is where Non-Credit Educational Classes come in.
- Teaching “Financial Literacy” is teaching the biblical principle of stewardship.
- Teaching “Community Gardening” is teaching the principle of creation care and work.
- True education results in a changed life, not just a full head of facts.

VI. The Promise: Perpetual Presence

The Text: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (v. 20)
The Meaning: This is the “Guarantee.” You are never a “lone wolf” in community work.
Application: When a believer stands up to organize a food drive or a peace circle, they aren’t standing alone. That “Calling” is backed by the presence of the Creator.

Summary for the “Everyday Bishop”

If we are all “Bishops” (Overseers) as Paul suggests, then the Great Commission is our Standing Orders.

As a Chaplain: You provide the leadership and spiritual framework.
As a Believer: You provide the hands, the feet, and the local connection.

Together, these elements turn a neighborhood into a community and a community into a reflection of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Disclaimer: When executing the Great Commission through public activities like food distribution or education, always ensure compliance with local health codes and nonprofit regulations. “Being wise as serpents” (Matthew 10:16) means respecting the laws of the land while fulfilling the laws of the Spirit.

Introduction: The Misconception of the “Professional” Christian

Many believe that “ministry” is reserved for those with a collar or a seminary degree. However, when we look at the life of Paul and the instructions of Jesus, we see a different blueprint. The “Calling” isn’t a job description for a few—it is a lifestyle for the many.

1. The Great Commission: More Than a Sermon

In Matthew 28:16-20, Jesus gives the Great Commission.

The Command: “Go and make disciples.”
The Community Context: This wasn’t just a command to preach; it was a command to go. For a Community Chaplain, “going” means showing up at the town hall, the local food bank, and the street corner. It is about organizing the community to reflect the values of the Kingdom.

2. The “Bishop” in Every Believer

You mentioned Paul’s perspective on the church structure. In the early church, the term Episkopos (often translated as Bishop or Overseer) referred to those who provided “oversight” and care for the flock.

The Priesthood of All Believers: Paul’s letters (specifically in Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter 2:9) suggest that the work of the ministry belongs to the people.
The Chaplain’s Role: You don’t need a title to be an “overseer” of your neighbor’s welfare. When you organize a coffee house or a tool-lending library, you are exercising “spiritual oversight” by caring for the practical and emotional needs of your community.

3. Turning “Calling” into Action

A “Calling” is the intersection where your spiritual gifts meet the world’s deep hunger. As a Community Chaplain, your leadership is a direct response to this divine nudge.

Organizational Leadership: Taking the lead in a self-sufficiency class isn’t just “volunteering”—it is an act of stewardship over the talents God gave you.
Case Studies in Compassion: Our program uses real-world examples to show how the “Great Commission” looks in the 21st century.

4. Practical Steps for the “Community Bishop”

How do we live this out while staying within the protections of the law?

Identify the Need: Is it hunger? Is it a lack of skills?
Organize the Resource: Start small—a coffee hour or a professional clothes closet.
Lead with Integrity: Use the “Case Study” method to avoid common pitfalls and ensure your “Calling” remains effective and legally sound.

Conclusion: Your Neighborhood is Your Parish

You do not need to be a traditional Chaplain to change your city, but embracing the role of a Community Chaplain allows you to lead from a place of purpose. Whether it’s through a soup kitchen or a financial literacy class, you are fulfilling the Great Commission by being a “Bishop” of the streets.

Final Thought: Are you ready to move from the pews to the pavement? Your community is waiting for someone to lead.

In the Protestant tradition—which emphasizes the “Priesthood of All Believers”—there isn’t a single, centralized “test” like a government exam. However, over centuries, theologians and church leaders have developed a standard “Three-Fold Test” to help individuals discern if they are being called to the Great Commission, whether as a chaplain, a missionary, or a community leader.

Here is the outline of that discernment process:

1. The Internal Call (The Subjective Desire)

This is the “nudge” from the Holy Spirit. It is a persistent, internal conviction that you cannot ignore.

The Test: Do you have a “burden” for a specific group of people or a specific problem (e.g., hunger, lack of education, spiritual isolation)?
Scriptural Basis: Paul says in 1 Timothy 3:1, “If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.” The desire itself is the first piece of evidence.

2. The External Call (The Objective Confirmation)

In Protestantism, a calling is rarely a “solo” event. It must be recognized by the community (the Church or the neighborhood).

The Test: Do others see these gifts in you? Do people naturally come to you for guidance? When you organize a food drive or a coffee house, do people respond and follow your leadership?
The Evidence: If you claim to be called to lead, but no one is following, it may not be the right timing or the right “office.” The community’s “Amen” is the external confirmation.

3. The Providential Call (The Open Door)

This is the “Test of Circumstances.” God often confirms a calling by providing the means to fulfill it.

The Test: Are the “doors” opening? Do you have access to the resources, the legal protections, and the physical space needed to do the work?
Application: If you feel called to start a “Self-Sufficiency Class” and a local community center suddenly offers you a room for free, that is a providential sign.

The “Five G’s” Self-Assessment

Many Protestant denominations use a more practical “test” to see if a person is ready for the Great Commission in the community. You can rate yourself on these:

Category	The Question
Gifts	Do I have the skills (organizing, teaching, counseling) to do this work?
Grace	Do I have the character and spiritual maturity to represent the faith well?
Growth	Am I willing to learn? (e.g., studying Case Studies and local laws).
Grit	Can I handle the “hard days” of community organizing and rejection?
God’s Glory	Is my primary motive to help others and honor God, or to be seen as a leader?

The “Bishop” Test (1 Timothy 3 & Titus 1)

Paul’s view that we are all “Bishops” (Overseers), We often use Paul’s list of qualifications for an overseer as a “litmus test” for any community leader.

Sober-minded: Are you level-headed in a crisis?
Hospitable: Is your “Coffee House” or “Soup Kitchen” truly welcoming to the stranger?
Apt to Teach: Can you take complex concepts (like self-sufficiency) and make them easy for others to learn?
Not a lover of money: Is your community work free from greed? We separate this from the need for money and the love of money. Organizers and chaplains usually apply a three-part “Health Check”:
- The Priority Check: If the pursuit of the “resource” (money) prevents you from doing the “work” (community involvement), the heart has shifted toward the money.
- The Transparency Check: Does the prosperity benefit the community (e.g., funding a tool library, soup kitchen, or education) or does it only elevate the leader’s lifestyle?
- The Sovereignty Check: Do you trust in the gift (the bank account) or the Giver (God)?
- The Abrahamic Covenant: Many “Affluence” teachings point back to the “Blessing of Abraham,” noting that the patriarchs of the Bible were often physically wealthy.
- The Separation: If prosperity is a promise, then seeking it is seen as an act of claiming your spiritual inheritance rather than a carnal desire for riches.
More about this and the need for prayer and meditation: to understand this important point. Trust that Grace Will Guide You in all things. Posts about this on this site.

Summary

The “test” is ultimately a combination of Desire + Ability + Opportunity. If you have the Desire to serve, the Ability to organize (demonstrated through your skills and program study), and the Opportunity (the needs in your community), then you have “The Calling.”

⚖️ Legal & Administrative Note

While we are called by a higher authority, we operate in a physical world. All community activities should be conducted in accordance with state laws, including health permits for food service and non-profit registration for charitable solicitations. True leadership involves being “wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16) when dealing with local regulations.