LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
4MAT Book Reviews: The Great Commission to Worship:
Biblical Principles for Worship-based Evangelism
Submitted to Dr. Todd Beall,
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
EVAN 525-B12 LUO
Contemporary Evangelism
by
Wrenwyck Williams
Contents
Introduction ………………………………………………………………………..……………1
Abstract...........................................................................................................................................1
Concrete Response..............................................................................................................2
Reflection...................................................................................................................................3
Action Steps ...
…………………………………………………………………………………4-5
Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………………..6
2
Introduction
The author of this paper will present a discussion that includes; (1) an abstract, (2) a
concrete response to or a story of a significant event in her life, (3) a reflection on the book The
Great Commission, finally (4) 3 action steps that describe what actions or changes the write will
make in their life and ministry as a result of reading this book.
Abstract
The Great Commission to Worship by David Wheeler and Vernon M. Whaley calls all Christian
believers to be living examples of worship that is powered by evangelism. Wheeler and Whaley
present a poignant argument for the symbiotic relationship that exists between worship and
evangelism. The current practice in many churches has separated both of these constructs into
two separate entities. The authors define worship as, “a lifestyle of walking in submission to and
with God”.1 However, that lifestyle is incomplete if worship does not involve participation in
The Great Commission. The authors declared, “But a lifestyle of worship cannot be complete
without a life of sharing— sharing the good news.”2 The authors referenced The Great
Command of loving the Lord with all our heart, soul mind and strength (Deut. 6:5; Matt. 22:37-
39 New International Version (NIV).3 The Great Commission is the second command that God
delivered to man. The expectation for the believer is that they live these two commands. The
authors defined this command from God for all believers to make disciples of all men (Matt.
1 David A. Wheeler and Vernon M. Whaley, The Great Commission to Worship: Biblical
Principles for Worship-based Evangelism (Nashville, TN: B & H Academic, 2011), Location 70,
Kindle.
2 Wheeler and Whaley, The Great Commission, Location 80.
1
28:19-20). Wheeler and Whaley identified a Great Commission worshipper as an individual who
is formational, transformational, relational, missional, and reproducible. Acquisition of these
skills enables the believer to impact mankind “for the glory of Christ and the testimony of Jesus
Christ.”4 They must be the earmarks of the Christian life. The authors make application of the
processes realistic for Christians.
Concrete Response
While reading this book I thought about a major turning point in my spiritual life. I gave
my life to the Lord “for real” at 30 years of age. I was awakened and alive and quite naturally
wanted to share this beautiful awakening with anyone possessing a pulse. My zeal for the Lord
combined with an extroverted personality allowed evangelism to come quite naturally to me. I
remember how I would approach any and every one to share the good news of my Lord and
savior Jesus the anointed one. In saying this, I am also reminded that at times my zealous nature
would actually turn some away. It was as if I was force feeding individuals, pouring in more than
could be digested and as a result regurgitation. I had to learn two things wisdom and worship. I
had to pull back a bit and allow the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and direct my steps. This came as a
result of worship. I found that worship was not merely singing and praising God during ministry
services, but a continual communion with Him each moment of the day. This worship time
enabled me to create some balance and understanding of when, who and how to share the “good
news”. Once I found a balance in the zeal and wisdom, the other area that was most pertinent at
3 Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the New International Version
(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009).
4 Wheeler and Whaley, The Great Commission, Location 3091.
2
that time was the understanding of the need for discipleship. I was effective at evangelism
however my work in the area of discipleship was sorely lacking. It was in the process of
reflecting on my worship and relationship with God did I come to understand how important it
was to duplicate this same action in the form of discipleship. This is when I truly began to be a
proponent of the Great Commission. I would be remiss if I did not add that one of the most
important things that I have learned is to not sell Jesus to the world, but show the world Jesus
through our love for them.
Reflection
No specific questions “popped up” into the mind of the reader of this work. However,
Dave Wheeler and Vernon Whaley may have presented a misconception about the relationship
between discipleship and Great to Commission Worship (GTC) by not providing a more detail
explanation of the symbiotic relationship between both constructs. The writer took discipleship
class before reading this book; therefore, it was easier to connect the dots so to speak. However,
by not building a framework that demonstrated the interrelated connections that GTC and
discipleship the authors may have left some readers to think that the concepts are connected.
There should have been more of a correlation between discipleship and GTC. The authors
should have stressed the duplication/reproduction process and explain its connection to
discipleship and GTC in a more detailed manner.
3
The section on “Hindrances to Becoming Great Commission Worshippers” discusses
discipleship, but the discussion was in a negative light.5 Although the authors do proffer this
statement, “The truth is, evangelism and discipleship are uniquely dependent on each other” it
does not expand the explanation of that dependency enough to clarify its importance.6 The term
discipleship is much more personal to most Christians than “evangelism”; therefore, weaving
that specific construct throughout the book would have made it easier for the lay person to
connect with the concept a book like this should not be the purview of mainly theologians or
aspiring theologians. This book should be in the hands of every believer because it speaks to our
most important calling as believers. The book speaks to the Great Command and the Great
Commission. Therefore, clarity is crucial to understanding the importance of its message.
Action Steps
Action Step One: Within the next 4 weeks the writer will meet at least ten unbelievers in the
local community and share his story with them. He will also invite them to his local congregation
for worship services.
This action step is going to require the writer to increase the time spent in the community
evangelizing. The local community is somewhat impoverished and it will be necessary to walk
the streets in an attempt to reach them and share. It will also be necessary to have the mindset of
meeting them where they are. This will mean the changing of attire, modification of message to
meet the needs of the audience and meeting their physical needs by providing food and water.
5 David A. Wheeler and Vernon M. Whaley, The Great Commission to Worship: Biblical
Principles for Worship-based Evangelism (Nashville, TN: B & H Academic, 2011), Location
2217, Kindle.
6 Wheeler and Whaley, The Great Commission, Location 2274, Kindle.
4
This must be a continual process so that we will gain the trust of the community and they will
feel more comfortable coming to the church and worshiping with us. It may also be necessary to
provide transportation in that many have no means to transport themselves.
.
Action Step two: By the end of the Summer session the writer will disciple at least two new
converts to Christ. They are Eric Hagin and Justin Cole.
Eric has recently restored His relationship with Jesus the anointed one. He was once an
addition counselor, however he now finds himself using drugs and is actually addicted to crack
cocaine. He is quite functional, however he often relapses and is absent for short periods of time.
The writer will pray and allow the Holy Spirt to inspire him as to the appropriate things to do and
say to truly restore Eric. One area that will be important is the creating of opportunities that will
enable him to regain his self-esteem and generate revenue. Eric is a chef by trade and we will use
the opportunity to cook for various functions as an incentive to get the help that he needs.
Justin is a fine young man with a zeal for life and an entrepreneurial spirit. The writer
will provide the guidance necessary to keep Justin plugged in to the ministry and more
importantly help him in his development as a disciple for Jesus the Christ. In essence the writer
will duplicate himself in Justin.
Action Step Three: By the end of June 2016, DUNAMIS ministries in which the writer is the
Pastor, will create a men’s forum. The forum will have the theme of identifying your purpose. It
will be entitled, “Why am I Here.” We will invite other ministries to join us as we conduct
forums to first identify the needs of the men in the community. Secondly to give them a voice.
All too often these men feel that they are irrelevant and their opinions do not matter. Giving them
an opportunity to be heard will also give us an opportunity to impart, Thirdly, to address the
importance of the family unit and the part that they play in it. We will hold these forums each
5
month and track the number of men that we are actually able to convert to Christianity and have
them become committed disciples in every area of their lives.
Bibliography
Wheeler, David and Vernon M. Whaley. The Great Commission to Worship: Biblical Principles
for Worship-based Evangelism. Nashville, TN: B & H Academic, 2011.
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