I was talking with two friends recently, and one of them was wrestling with something I’ve heard many times before: “I want to make disciples in my home… but I’m not sure if I have permission.”
This kind of confusion is more common than we’d like to admit. In many churches, faithful believers are left wondering what they’re allowed to do.
- Can I start a Bible study?
- Can I baptize someone?
- Can I teach others without being “released” to do so?
And honestly? That language—“released into ministry”—has always rubbed me the wrong way. Here’s why: Jesus already did that.
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…”
— Matthew 28:18–19
Jesus holds all authority—not just over heaven, but over homes, neighborhoods, and local churches. And under that authority, every believer is sent. You don’t need a second opinion or a stamp of approval. If you’re in Christ, you’ve been commissioned.
“And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body…”
— Ephesians 1:22–23
“You have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”
— Colossians 2:10
The Word and the Spirit Are Enough
Jesus didn’t leave us guessing about what to do. He governs through the Word and by the Spirit.
“The Helper, the Holy Spirit… will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
— John 14:26
“All Scripture is breathed out by God… that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
— 2 Timothy 3:16–17
If someone has the Spirit of God and the Word of God, they are fully equipped for ministry. They don’t need to be “released” by a human authority to obey divine commands. Will we get teach things incorrectly sometimes? Of course! Lord knows I have. That’s why we have grace! Will we not hear the Spirit clearly? Of course! That’s why we have community and the church to help us discern.
But God’s Word and God’s Holy Spirit are fully sufficient for the believer to be obedient to the Great Commission.
Real Authority in the Church—and the Body
Now, don’t mishear me—church leadership matters. Elders and deacons carry real, God-given authority to shepherd and oversee the local church. But their role is mediated, not ultimate. They don’t give people permission to follow Jesus—they help them do it faithfully.
In fact, every believer has a kind of spiritual authority as a member of Christ’s body. We are called to exhort, correct, encourage, restore, and love one another:
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault… whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven…”
— Matthew 18:15–18
“Let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor… be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another…”
— Ephesians 4:25–32
“You who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness… bear one another’s burdens…”
— Galatians 6:1–2
We don’t need a title to obey Jesus. Nor do elders and deacons need to be involved in every aspect of ministry or release someone to make disciples. We just need the Spirit, the Word, and the humility to walk with others in grace and truth. We need leaders who worship and pray and hear the Holy Spirit’s direction, and occasionally set saints apart for specific assignments in the kingdom to reach those the church isn’t.
Even in the World: Common Grace Authority
Outside the church, God still ordains structures of authority—for order, justice, and the common good. That includes workplaces, governments, and households:
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God…”
— Romans 13:1
Employees are called to work with sincerity. Employers are called to lead with fairness and self-sacrifice. But again, none of that replaces the deeper truth: all authority ultimately belongs to Christ.
“Whoever would be great among you must be your servant… just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve…”
— Matthew 20:26–28
Sometimes, church leaders and government leaders or employers are one and the same. And that’s when things can get really tricky. I’ve had to navigate being both elder and boss for many years (and being a brother in Christ and friend to many!), and perhaps the greatest mistakes I have made are due to being unclear about which “authority” I was exercising.
A supervisor shouldn’t apologize for giving humble feedback or a directive for work. Those are very normal functions of God ordained order. An elder shouldn’t apologize for giving doctrinal wisdom, pastoral insight, or intercessory prayer. Those are all the expectations of the role.
But if your boss happens to be an elder, don’t conflate the two roles. And if your governing authority isn’t a believer, you shouldn’t treat any evil edict as the will of God. But you also shouldn’t outright dismiss a directive or law simply because you disagree. Governing authorities, even those who aren’t believers, are under the authority of and doing the will of God!
So What Do We Do?
In many ways, some of the most complex territory I have faced in ministry are uncertain Christian ethical matters. How do we rightly divide the word of truth when there are multiple biblical commands, laws, or principles at work in a given circumstance?
But making disciples isn’t one of those! Helping people teach what Jesus commanded is often times very simple:
- Repent and believe – Mark 1:15
- Be Baptized – Matthew 28:19
- Pray – Matthew 6:9-13,
- Love – Matthew 22:37-39
- Remember Me: Lord’s Supper – Luke 22:19-20
- Give – Luke 6:38
- Go Make Disciples – Matthew 28:19-20
Those basic commands of Jesus don’t require you to be “released.” They simply require you to be obedient. They are hard, but they are not complicated.
If you’re a pastor:
Stop “releasing” people into ministry, and start reminding them what Jesus already authorized. Steward your authority to equip, not to control. Help people discern wisely, obey faithfully, and walk humbly!
If you’re a believer:
Stop waiting for permission. You’ve already been sent by Jesus, filled by the Spirit, and equipped by the Word. Go make disciples—in your home, in your workplace, and in your city.
Let’s stop making people feel like they need a green light from man when they’ve already been sent by the King!
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