Pioneering Movements: Leadership That Multiplies Disciples and Churches

by Steve Addison

In the sixteenth century, Roman Catholic missions were at their peak, yet Protestants made almost no attempt to spread the gospel beyond the borders of Europe. C. W. Ranson notes, “The paradox of the Protestantism of the Reformation era is that while it called the Church back to its apostolic faith it was largely content to leave the fulfillment of the apostolic mission to the Church of Rome.”5 Some Reformers argued that the Great Commission ceased with the apostles. Others believed that the ministry of apostolic pioneers ceased once churches were established. Mission was no longer crossing cultural and geographic boundaries with the gospel, but fulfilling one’s calling in everyday life. Mobile missionary bands were no longer required. Every Christian had his own parish and each bishop his diocese, and no one could claim a roving commission. The call of every believer to fulfill the Great Commission was viewed as subversive to the social order.