51% of Churchgoers Don’t Know of the Great Commission – Barna Group

This past week Barna published a report revealing that over half of Churchgoers do not know of the Great Commission.

The report says that age plays a factor. About 1 in 4 Elders and Boomers say they know the Great Commission, but only 1 in 10 Millennials say they do. Even when given a multiple choice option, most were not able to identify the Great Commission text as Matt 28:18-20.

Having better results, 60% of Evangelicals have heard of the Great Commission and know what it is. But, this is still far too low given that the Great Commission is the last words of Jesus to his disciples. The Great Commission is the thread that runs through the book of Acts and a key part of the Redemptive Story.

One of the most interesting results of the study is this statement:

There is a correlation between what Barna calls “Bible-mindedness”—essentially, full faith in and regular engagement with scripture—and recognizing the Great Commission.

As evangelicals, we must fervently strive to make sure our people know their Bible. We must proclaim the final command of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ loudly and repeatedly:

All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matt 28:18-20).