There may be varying opinions about the multiple tasks and functions of the church, but the following represents what would be its four highest priorities:

(1) To proclaim the Gospel throughout the world and make disciples of all kinds of people. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:19-20). “And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

The passages above, often referred to as the Great Commission, were among Jesus’ final admonitions to His disciples before He ascended to Heaven. Mark’s gospel refers to Christ’s command for his followers to “go preach the gospel to the world,” while Matthew’s reflects His emphasis for the church “to go and make disciples of all nations.” The combination of these two elements, evangelism and discipleship, are generally considered as Christ’s primary mission for His church. “Evangelism” is the ministry of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ that will bring men’s souls into fellowship with God, while “discipleship” is the training of believers to become disciplined followers of Jesus and His principles.