Love at the Center

By Mark McNees

The problem this dissertation seeks to address is that many American churches in today's emerging culture have failed to fulfill the great commission because of their lack of commitment to the Most Important Commandment (MIC)(Mark 12:28-31) as a method for fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). The thesis of this paper is that a holistic integrated approach to keeping the Great Commission can be developed by first embracing the ethic of the MIC. American churches in emerging culture that develop a ministry philosophy primarily driven by the MIC are better suited to effectively carry out the Great Commission. Moreover, when Christians make living out the MIC the primary focus of their lives, they will experience the abundant life Jesus promised and a more loving impact on the world for Christ (John 10:10, John 17:13).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mark McNees
• Release date: Nov 11, 2011

Mark McNees

Dr. Mark McNees (born 1969) was born in Los Angeles, California and is best known for his compelling storytelling and writing style. He brings masterfully blended biblical truth through personal experience, humor, and honesty. His passion is helping people live out the vision God has for their life.

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Love at the Center:

The Relationship Between the Great Commission,

the Most Important Commandment, and Abundance

BY

MARK MCNEES

A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO

THE FACULTY OF GEORGE FOX EVANGELICAL SEMINARY

IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF

DOCTOR OF MINISTRY

Copyright 2011 by Mark McNees

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All biblical quotations are from the New Living Translation Unless otherwise noted.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT

SECTION 1: THE PROBLEM

Gospel Culture vs. Salvation Culture

Moralistic Therapeutic Deism

Obsession with Part One of the Great Commission

Declining Participation in the North American Church

SECTION 2: OTHER PROPOSED SOLUTIONS

Attractional Programming

Apologetic Evangelism

Church Multiplication

Niche Ministry Programs

SECTION 3: THESIS

The MIC as a rationale for pursuing the Great Commission

Addressing the Four Major Criticisms

Criticism #1:

Your Christianity is too plastic. Christians pretend to live faultless lives; we need more authenticity.

Criticism #2:

Your Christianity is too focused on the practical; we need deeper spirituality.

Criticism #3:

Your Christianity is too individualistic; we need to learn to live in community.

Criticism #4:

Your Christianity is too self-serving, focusing all your time and money on fulfilling your own needs. We need Christians who will live, love, and give for the last, the least, and the lost.

Conclusion

SECTION 4: ARTIFACT DESCRIPTION

POSTSCRIPT

Lessons Learned

Suggestion for Further Research

Appendix 1

NOTES

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Illustrations

Figure 4.1. Interaction of the Great Commission, MIC, and Abundant life.

DEDICATION

I would like to dedicate this work to my Dad and Mum. It was through their sacrifice and refusal to give up on me that I did not drop out of school in the 9th grade with a 0.00 grade point average. That they took the time to have me tested for a little known disorder at the time called dyslexia. Even then they did not give up until they found people who could help me work through it and eventually earn my doctorate.

I would also like to thank my wife, Shannon for taking on an extra parenting burden while I pursued this dream. I of course would like to thank my academic advisor, Dr. Phil Newell who spent three years and countless hours with me refining and focusing my rough ideas into this written statement and book. I would also like to thank Dr. Timothy Gillespie for opening up his home and spending a week working with me on this written statement. I would also like to thank I would like to give special thanks to Linda Clare for her input on my book. Finally, I would like to express my deep gratitude to my friend, John Bickley, for meeting with me every Friday for coffee to discuss and refine three years of ideas into a book that I pray will help people live out the vision God has for their life.

ABSTRACT

The problem this dissertation seeks to address is that many American churches in today’s emerging culture have failed to fulfill the great commission because of their lack of commitment to the Most Important Commandment (MIC)(Mark 12:28-31) as a method for fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). The thesis of this paper is that a holistic integrated approach to keeping the Great Commission can be developed by first embracing the ethic of the MIC. American churches in emerging culture that develop a ministry philosophy primarily driven by the MIC are better suited to effectively carry out the Great Commission. Moreover, when Christians make living out the MIC the primary focus of their lives, they will experience the abundant life Jesus promised and a more loving impact on the world for Christ (John 10:10, John 17:13).

Sections 1 through 3 of this paper will provide a philosophical basis for a popular book titled, Immersion, which is presented as a media artifact. Immersion is a practical application using the metaphor of swimming to illustrate the research data presented in the following written statement. It is hoped that Immersion will be used by ecclesial leaders to encourage, equip, and edify Christ followers to be living manifestations of the MIC while they pursue the Great Commission (Matthew 5:14; John 8:12; Philippians 2:15; Acts 13:47).

Section 4 provides a brief description of the artifact along with an explanation of how and why a church will be greatly helped by a rediscovery of what Christ