The Mission of the Church

In this episode, Nick Batzig and Caleb Willingham sit down with special guest Kevin DeYoung, pastor of Christ's Covernant PCA in Matthews, NC to consider the church's God-ordained mission, referencing DeYoung's co-authored book, "What is the Mission of the Church?" The discussion explores the evolving cultural context of church missions, the importance of distinguishing between the church's institutional mission and individual Christian responsibilities, and the relevance of social justice within the church's mission. DeYoung emphasizes the need for clarity in defining the church's mission, advocating for a focus on gospel proclamation and disciple-making while addressing the challenges of moral proximity and the burdens placed on individual Christians.

• The mission of the church is primarily about proclaiming the Gospel and making disciples.
• Confusion about mission persists due to the desire to elevate personal passions to church priorities.
• Moral proximity helps Christians focus on those they can directly impact, rather than feeling overwhelmed by global issues.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
02:44 The Mission of the Church: Historical Context
10:20 Understanding Mission: Broader vs. Narrow Definitions
20:43 Moral Proximity and Individual Responsibility
30:40 The Centrality of Proclamation in the Church's Mission
41:37 Addressing Good Works and Justice in the Church
53:20 The Role of All Christians in Making Disciples
01:00:33 Conclusion and Upcoming Events

Resources

Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert What is the Mission of the Church?

Geerhadus Vos The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church

Augustine On Christian Doctrine