The Great Commission Resurgence: Fulfilling God's Mandate in Our Time

The work is a monograph--but don't let this shock you--a monograph is a detailed work on one specific topic with multiple contributing authors. As such, each "Chapter" reads either like a self-contained essay or sermon (in one case). This may be off-putting if you are not used to it.Consequently, there is extensive overlap since, I am assuming here, not all the authors were overly-familiar with the others' works, and since, clearly, each one desired to be somewhat comprehensive; at just over 400 pages, this requires some skipping unless you enjoy repetition.The main thesis of the work is that just as there has been a conservative resurgence in the SBC (Southern Baptist Convention), so should there be a "Great Commission Resurgence," This work was designed to lay the groundwork for that resurgence, so there is a great deal of doctrine--some of it, again, is obvious (unless you enjoy reading about how the Church serves to accomplish God's mission, how the Gospel is really warfare and not just a passive truth, etc).That being said, the opening chapters provide very astute summations (after a detailed analysis) of the current state of the SBC, culminating in the conclusion that the SBC is declining due to an increase in age, a slight lack of diversity (race), and urbanization. The answer to all of these problems is, essentially, evangelism of all ages, races, and better evangelism in cities.There are certainly more sub-points, but these are the three problems introduced in the opening chapters and solved by the proposed "evangelism resurgence."The best chapters include the opening two by Stetzer and Rainer, who do a statistical/slight historical analysis; Mohler's excellent chapter on what the SBC needs to focus on for the future, and Akin's chapter on "Axioms for a Great Commission Resurgence."Overall a good read if you want to know what is going on in the SBC and are willing to skim certain sections/chapters if they become laborious/repetitive.

I have taken time to thoroughly read, evaluate, and process the information presented in this book. I approached the book with an open mind and a willingness to listen to the arguments for a great commission resurgence. However, now that the book has been written, and we are a few years into the future, I see very little impact of this book. The numbers of conversions and consequent baptisms in the Southern Baptist convention have not risen. Many of the churches to which these authors belong have not seen exponential conversion growth. That leads me to think that this book was more of an attempt to set a somewhat faulty direction for the "new" Southern Baptist convention, than it was an attempt to encourage churches to reembrace the great commission. Clearly, the book was targeted at older Southern Baptists in an attempt to convince them to allow younger Southern Baptist to hijack the institutions and future of the convention. It is clear that the various authors in this book, with the exception of possibly one or two, saw the Southern Baptist convention as a problem to be fixed rather than a heritage to be embraced and improved upon. Likewise, I think today we see the fruits of this book and its thinking. Today some of our younger Southern Baptist leaders are saying we stand on the shoulders of our predecessors. I think a more accurate characterization would be that they have gained by riding on the backs of those who have worked hard to bring world evangelism and the great commission to this point. The conservative resurgence brought people back to the Bible as the word of God, but it did very little to bring people back to obedient witnessing for Christ. This book is guilty of the same. I enjoyed reading from the various authors, but I do not see any practical results for the kingdom at the pew level. The question I would ask each of the authors is, "Who have you share the gospel with in the last month?" I do recommend the book from an academic perspective. But, I do not see where it has much practical use.

The Great Commission Resurgence is a thorough work that accomplishes exactly what the editors apparently set out to accomplish. Within the parameters of conservative theology and the Southern Baptist Convention it is an extremely well-rounded book with a plethora of contributors. Chapter authors range from seminary presidents to local pastor to professors to entity presidents. This not another trendy evangelism program identified by a catchy acronym.It is thought provoking and convicting as it presents the statistical evidence of the reality of the situation that the Southern Baptist Convention finds itself in. The editors have compiled a scholarly work that not only defines the current situation but also proposes the necessary steps to be taken in order to move forward as a convention.It will serve in my personal library as both a challenge to my personal commitment to the Great Commission and as an academic resource. Editors Chuck Lawless and Adam W. Greenway are to be commended for their superb work.

As a Southern Baptist who was not born into the denomination, I found that these insights are very helpful and a reminder of what is at stake. Let all who read this heed the warnings and exhortations in order to be part of the Great Commission particularly in the areas of raising of the next generation of leaders including minorities, recognizing the changing demographics of urbanization, and need for disciple making.

If the SBC is going to have a Great Commission Resurgence then WE as Southern Baptists need to give feet to that vision. Several authors gave convincing cogent ideas and challenges to reach people. All Southern Baptists need to share and we need to see the leadership share and be an example to the troops in the trenches. I'm encouraged and challenged by this book. Nice job Lawless and Greenway!

Thanks! Merry Christmas!

This book is a masterpiece. Well done. A great resource for all disciple makers