I have a question for you: What is the number one problem that Church faces today? In one word, simplify the issues bouncing around in our board meetings, debated in our denominational councils and faced in our Christian conferences. What would it be for you? Homosexuality, spiritual apathy, post-modern pluralism, abortion, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, world hunger? I believe that there is one crucial problem that we are facing that if solved would solve the other issues listed above.
My one word for all of the issues in front of us is discipleship. It is both problem and solution. It is a problem because we find it to be the most difficult and complex task to work out in our pursuit of the kingdom of God. It is a solution because when disciples are made, hungry mouths are fed, justice is served and sinners find repentance.
Whenever a conflict or problem arose in the texts of Scripture, God always produced a leader to solve it. World-wide flood? Noah built an ark. Global spiritual darkness? Abraham left home and hearth in search of God. Hebrews suppressed beside the muck of the Nile? Moses paved a way out with his rod. Giants in the Land? Joshua led the charge. Midianites terrorizing the townsfolk? Gideon ousted them with 300 men and some cookware. Philistine giant decimating the courage of the army of Israel? David took him down with a slingshot. An entire species heading to an eternity in hell? Jesus vanquished death at Calvary. A world who needs to hear the good news of Christ’s victory? Twelve disciples take the reigns of a celestial organization called the Church.
To produce these leaders, God used ordinary men and women to speak into their lives, influencing their decisions and plans. Without these mentors or disciplers in their lives, these great men would not have accomplished the amazing things that are written about them.
Discipleship produces leaders. Leaders provide solutions. Solutions bring resolve to conflict. We must discover a way to effecitvely, consistently produce disciples. There is no other way to solve the globe’s problems.
What is the worst problem that we face as a Church? How could the right disciple solve the problem?
One of my favorite songs to listen to right now is “After the Music Stops” by LeCrae. (If you’ve never heard it, check it out here on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAVD5Jee8e8)
In the song he says:
“I’m out to take the bible/
create disciples/
who make disciples/
disciple cycles”
I think you’re absolutely right, Joseph. One thing that the Church has failed to do effectively is discipleship.
We as pastors have gone to great lengths to bring in fancy marketing strategies to facilitate church growth. We’re trying to sell church to people. We’re like spiritual realtors, trying to get them to buy a spiritual home from us. We try to sell them with our programs, fancy lights and sound system, our cafe area, our work-out facility, computer lab, library, day care center, etc. We’ve totally gotten away from the model in which Christ left us to build His kingdom, and that is discipleship. Period.
LeCrae also speaks on this a little bit more in the same song. He says:
“Discipleship is our call but we make disciples
This is not a suggestion, create disciples.
The teachin’ is a process, it’s not over night
And its not a stage and a mic nah, it’s life on life
Christ walked with twelve, ate with twelve
Talked with twelve, shaped the twelve
Invested in ‘em well
You could say that he made the twelve.
Who made many more, who made plenty more,
Now it’s on you and me if there’s anymore.
1 teach, 2 teach, 3 teach, 4 teach,
5 teach, 6 teach, 7 teach more
This is what we’ve been commissioned,
It’s the reason why I write,
So that you could hear the truth,
Not so you can say I’m tight whoa!!”
Building the Kingdom has always been about building relationships. Discipleship forces us to get involved in each others lives, hold each other accountable, to not only teach & mentor each other, but to love and pray for each other, as well.
We tell people that it’s all about relationship, not religion. But then they come into our churches and they don’t see that being modeled because true discipleship is not there. True discipleship creates true relationships in the spiritual. It’s how we bond together as a community of believers, and we need to be spiritually bonded together–not just emotionally.
What they see instead is programs that project a picture of community, unity, & family which is just as empty and hollow as the building itself because discipleship is not practiced, taught, or modeled. To be blunt honest churches these days are either faking discipleship, projecting an illusion of discipleship, or halfheartedly going through the motions of discipleship because there is no passion there for it.
Joseph, I’m so happy and so pleased that you have a real passion for discipleship. Because of that passion I can see it trickling down to your congregation and them, likewise, birthing a passion for discipleship in their own lives.
My comment is longer than your whole entire blog…lol
I was so looking forward to the First Steps Seminar on Discipleship and it was everything I had hoped for and more! I believe this is the missing link. Can’t wait to get going! Thanks Pastor Joseph! Jody