In the business world there is a common question when discussing one another's businesses. "What is  your core business?" In other words - what is it that is the centre of what you do that is going to propel your business forward. How do you think we would respond if someone was to ask us - "what is the core business of the church?" 

Here are some of the answers I've heard over the years:  "Well - we are a worshipping church - our focus is to be the best worshipping church in the region".  Or "We are a community church - we are here to serve our community".  Friends - please don't get me wrong - these answers have a validity to them, but I believe we haven't yet hit the jackpot on how Jesus measures the CORE business of the church.

Many measure their congregations by how many are in attendance over the weekend or how much money has been given in the offering.  When it comes to measuring the church - I believe neither of these are a correct answer.  What then do I believe God is looking for?  Two words - Make Disciples!

When Jesus wants to measure how we are doing as a church - he is looking for one thing - "How are you doing with the one thing I asked you to go and do - make disciples of every nation".  Perhaps we need to realign ourselves to His original call and start re-evaluating how we are really doing?  How are we doing with loving one another?   The key characteristic of a disciple.  How are we doing with not only producing a disciple - but reproducing disciples, who are making disciples, who are making disciples?

When Jesus was asked as a 12 yr old "Where have you been?"  He replied, "I must be about my Father's business".  What had he been doing? Answer: Training the Rabbi's in the word of God. Likewise we must learn that the core business of the church is making Disciples.  Jesus game plan in 3 1/2 yrs of ministry was to train 12 men who would turn the world upside down for God.

If the CORE BUSINESS of the church is to make disciples - can I ask "How's business?"