When we talk about the success of the Great Commission, we often measure it in terms of access to the gospel, church attendance, or the number of baptisms. Christian mission organisations such as Operation World and the Joshua Project and other evangelistic organisations offer valuable insights into these statistics. But do their methodology truly capture the depth of transformation the gospel should bring? Are we measuring the full impact of the gospel in the world, or just scratching the surface?

In reality, measuring the success of the Great Commission requires more than just tracking numbers of converts, the number of churches planted in a geographical location or among a people group, and the denominations that have taken root. It demands a deeper, more comprehensive framework. A framework that goes beyond personal conversion and looks at how the gospel is reshaping entire societies—how it transforms governments, businesses, families, and cultures. This is where a new framework that is rooted in the application of God’s law-word as revealed in the bible to all areas of life, offers a far more meaningful way of evaluating progress.

The Shortcomings of Current Metrics

Let’s take a look at what we currently use to assess missions: access to the gospel, church attendance, and how many people have heard the message. These statistics, while helpful, focus mostly on the “conversion” aspect of the Great Commission. But is conversion the final goal? Or is it only the first step?

Consider this: A society can have widespread access to the gospel, yet still remain in spiritual and moral decline. People might hear the message of Christ, attend church, and even be baptized, but how much does their personal faith truly impact the world around them? Do they integrate the gospel into their daily lives, shaping their choices and the institutions they interact with? If we only measure conversions, we miss the larger picture of societal transformation. To truly evaluate the progress of the Great Commission, we need to go deeper. We need a framework that looks at how the gospel shapes every aspect of life—government, culture, family, and the church.

The Great Commission is not just about making individual disciples but discipling entire nations, bringing every institution under the lordship of Christ. This means we are called to influence all areas—government, education, business, and even entertainment—not just for personal salvation but for societal transformation.

Think of it this way: If the gospel is truly transformative, then it should be evident not just in the hearts of individuals but in the systems and structures that shape our world. A society that is discipled by Christ will reflect His justice, mercy, and truth in every area.

A Comprehensive Framework for Evaluating the Great Commission

So, how do we measure this kind of transformation? Here’s a new framework:

1. Family:
   Does the family unit reflect God’s design? Are marriages grounded in biblical principles of love, respect, and sacrificial service? How are children being raised to know and love the Lord? In a society where the family is the bedrock of culture, a transformed family can set the tone for all other institutions.
2. Government:
   Is the civil government in alignment with biblical principles of justice and righteousness? Does it uphold laws that protect life, freedom, and property? Biblical law isn’t about imposing a theocracy, but about ensuring that the rule of law in society reflects God’s standards of justice. Governments should be accountable to God, as Rushdoony and Gary North have argued, promoting peace and order based on moral law.
3. Church:
   Is the church fulfilling its role in equipping believers for every good work? Too often, churches focus on personal piety but neglect the call to influence society. A biblically faithful church will train its members to apply their faith in all areas of life—government, business, education, and family.
4. Individuals:
   How are individuals living out their faith in the world? Do their work, relationships, and decisions reflect God’s commandments? Christianity isn’t just about personal salvation—it’s about living in accordance with God’s moral law in every area of life. In a society where individuals live faithfully to biblical principles, the whole culture is impacted.
5. Culture:
   Are cultural institutions (media, arts, education) being shaped by biblical principles, or are they driven by secular ideologies? The gospel is meant to permeate every aspect of life, including culture. As Doug Wilson often reminds us, a healthy Christian culture will influence the arts, education, and even the public square, drawing people toward Christ.

How Do We Apply This Practically

How does this framework work in practice? It means evaluating a nation or community by looking at its institutions and how well they reflect God’s law. It means asking questions like: Is the education system fostering a biblical worldview? Is the government promoting justice according to God’s standards? Are families and churches living according to biblical principles?

This doesn’t mean that we’re aiming for a theocratic government, but rather that we’re striving for a society where the influence of God’s law is seen in every aspect of public life. We can look to the Puritans, for example, who helped shape the foundations of Western civilization by applying biblical principles to governance and culture. They understood that the gospel isn’t just about personal salvation—it’s about transforming society.

Some might argue that church and state should be separate, fearing that applying God’s law to government could lead to oppression. But the reality is that biblical law provides a foundation for justice and liberty, not tyranny. When we apply God’s law properly, we’re working toward a society that upholds truth, fairness, and freedom.

Others might wonder if this framework is too idealistic, especially in a world that seems increasingly secular. But the history of the church shows us that real change happens when we apply the gospel to every area of life. Incremental changes can lead to profound transformation—just as the Reformation influenced European society or the early American colonies built their culture on biblical principles.

In Conclusion

The Great Commission isn’t just about making converts; it’s about transforming nations. To evaluate the progress of the gospel, we need to move beyond superficial metrics and measure the depth of societal change. We need a framework that looks at how the gospel impacts every area of life—family, government, church, and culture.

As Christians, we are called to disciple nations. It’s time to assess the Great Commission in light of that calling and embrace a vision of societal transformation. The work of the church isn’t done until all spheres of life are brought under the lordship of Christ.

Are we ready to see the gospel take root in every corner of our world?