GREAT COMMISSION CHURCHES ARCHIVE

Great Commission Churches (GCC) was an association of churches that was formally organized as a denomination in 1990 to serve a loose network of churches that began in 1970.

GCC became a member denomination of the National Association of Evangelicals in 2007 and later dissolved in November, 2020.

Here is the Board Statement announcing GCC’s dissolution: 

A STATEMENT FROM THE GREAT COMMISSION CHURCHES BOARD — JULY 13, 2020

Great Commission Churches (GCC) is an organization that is part of the National Association of Evangelicals. The GCC organization was formed over 30 years ago to serve a relational network of independent churches that began on college campuses in 1970. The vision of these churches has been to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to the whole world and to build New Testament churches (Matt. 28:19-20). For 50 years, God has worked through these churches to lead thousands to Christ and to equip hundreds of people to share the gospel. There are an estimated 260 churches in relational networks throughout the world that can be traced back to what began in 1970. We give Jesus Christ all the glory for this. This is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes (Ps. 118: 23).  

In this Jubilee year since this church network began, the GCC Board took an action that we believe is part of God’s plan to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ. With the pastors’ affirmation, we voted to dissolve the present GCC organization by the end of 2020 or soon thereafter, leaving independent church organizations under Jesus Christ. Pastors in those churches will be encouraged to cooperate with each other and to participate in regional and national conferences. They were also urged to affiliate strategically with other Christians in the universal church to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. Some churches may band together to form a new organization in the future and others may affiliate with other church associations. Regardless, we anticipate that the Biblical values promoted in GCC and the good relationships that have developed between pastors and between church members due to GCC’s work will continue.

This decision was made after a long evaluation based on counsel from GCC pastors and from many Christian leaders, who are part of different types of Christian organizations with different sizes and structures. Here are the three main reasons for this decision.

First, although our mission to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world is not finished, the work of the GCC denominational organization is complete. GCC was formed as a denominational organization in 1990 to serve a loose fellowship of independent churches based on college campuses. Those churches were young and isolated from others in the Body of Christ. Now, over 30 years later, circumstances have changed. Churches are more stable and pastors are more mature. Those pastors have established life-long relationships with each other and are more united with other Christians in a world where the universal church is cooperating more than ever before. The GCC denominational organization, which has given stability to churches and built relational networks among pastors, has been like scaffolding to a permanent structure. Scaffolding is good—but temporary. The scaffolding of the GCC denominational organization will not be needed in the future.  

Second, this is more consistent with current reality.  Each church in GCC is autonomous. Churches appoint and employ their own pastors and staff. Also, GCC owns no church buildings. Dissolving the GCC denominational organization is consistent with the reality that churches are truly non-denominational churches where pastors have close friendships with pastors in other churches.

Third, we think this decision will help the next generation be more effective in advancing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Churches in GCC have a special calling to evangelism. This decision gives churches more flexibility as they affiliate strategically in proclaiming Christ in future years. Also, the needs of each generation differ. Therefore, it is important that the leaders and the ministries that are formed to meet those needs be different. This decision provides future leaders a new organizational start so that they can more effectively reach the next generation for Jesus Christ.

We thank God for the many people who have been influenced for Jesus Christ through GCC’s ministry. As the Board of the GCC organization, we have commended churches to God and to the word of His grace (Acts 20:32). As followers of Christ, we also look forward to uniting with each other and with all Christians as we together proclaim His gospel to the whole world. To God be all the glory.

GCC History as seen on the GCC website before GCC dissolved.

GCC Statement of Faith at the time of GCC’s dissolution.

GCC Core Values Statement at the time of GCC’s dissolution.