Do We Really Know How to Make Disciples?

Many of us talk about making Disciples (Matthew 28.19-20) but do we really know how to do that?  How did Jesus do it?  I believe the first mistake we make is best picked up on in the language we use in the Church.  How often have we invited people to, "enroll in the next discipleship class"?  As Randy Millwood point out in his book To Love And To Cherish From This Day Forward, we really need to employ disciples rather than enroll disciples.

Millwood suggests that there were three primary reasons Jesus called His disciples.  Just three things He expected them to do.

1. First, they were called to be WITH Him.  The primary reason to be His disciple is to develop a relationship with Him.  But beyond that, as Millwood points out, Jesus knew that the important factors of discipleship are caught not taught.  In developing a relationship with His followers Jesus demonstrated faith and the life of being His follower in a day to day relationship.  The implication for us is that those we are trying to lead into discipleship through classes may get the head knowledge but it may not lead them to ever practice following Christ.
2. Second, Jesus SENT out His disciples.  Millwood writes, "To affect others as a servant also meant serving by appointment - as appointed.  That is what servants do . . . what they are told to do."  Disciples must recognize that God has a plan and our role in that plan is simply to serve.  We are on His Mission.   The implication for us is to teach by example the radical call to obedience.
3. Third, disciples serve at HIS PLEASURE.  The reality of Discipleship is that we are "appointed" to serve.  We represent Him.  Therefore we serve at His pleasure, with His boldness and the confidence of His authority.  It is truly all about Him.  The implication: we are not serving merely to move ahead and take on a "position" in the organization.  We serve where He has placed us.  We only move if He places us somewhere else.

Shatter the Snake!

 He broke into pieces the bronze snake that Moses made, for the Israelites burned incense to it up to that time.

 2 Kings 18:4 (HCSB) 

As a pastor or leader ask yourself this question.  Is there a snake that has slithered into my church?  I know a lot of jokes come to mind as you read that question.  Now don't jump to any quick conclusions about what it may be.

In 2 Kings we find an interesting scenario.  We could read right past it and not blink if we are not paying attention.  Hezekiah begins to make some serious spiritual reforms for Judah.  He gets rid of the idolatry.  He destroys the High place and the False religions that have crept in and set up shop with God's people.  But there is one interesting thing he destroyed.  The bronze snake built by Moses and used by God to bring healing to a bitten people. (Numbers 21.4-9)

The bronze snake began with a godly purpose.  Instituted by God and used by his leader Moses.  But after a while it's purpose was no longer needed and it took on a new purpose, an ungodly purpose.  It became an idol, a stumbling block to the spiritual life of God's people.  We have some snakes in the church today.  They are traditions and programs, that in its day were useful and led many to grow and thrive spiritually.  Now they have become an idol that is dragging us down.  Most Churches have one of these serpents, that we see no fruit from and merely distract us from other methods that could be useful in fulfilling our mission.  They are difficult to get rid of but it just might be necessary for you to be a Hezekiah and tear it down.

The mark of a healthy church

What is the mark of a healthy church?  What identifies a church as healthy?  Is it attendance, budgets or programs being used?  I think what we see as we look at the New Testament, it is that the church is making disciples. (Matthew 28.19-20).  There are all kinds of things to look at to gauge the health of the church but I think the Scripture would challenge us that the most important one is disciple making.

Author Randy Millwood writes, that a healthy local church, "is recognizing and embracing our new identity, which is found in being a disciple of Jesus who makes disciples. (Pg. 72 To Love and to Cherish from this Day Forward)  He challenges us to ask and answer two significant questions.

1. What is a Disciple?
2. How do you make one?

If you are like me I wasted many years of ministry doing church stuff without asking these two important questions.  I wrestled with those questions and have tried to figure out what it means.  That is what I challenge you to do.  Search, wrestle, pray and figure out as a leader of the church, what is a disciple and how do I make one?  Until we do that we are just going through the motions and doing church rather than being the church.

A good place to start may be to read To Love and to Cherish from this Day Forward - A portrait of a healthy church by Randy Millwood.

The Leader's Vision

 So I came to Jerusalem and was there three days.   And I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. I did not tell anyone what my God was putting into my mind to do for Jerusalem

Nehemiah 2:11-12 (NASB)

Much has been written about vision and vision casting for church leaders.  A lot has been written because it is very important.  For some of us we have not reflected upon vision because we are content to just be a pastor.  You know preach, teach, visit, counsel etc. . .   While those are some of the basic tasks of a pastor there is also a need to have vision and cast that vision.  There is another problem that we sometimes face and that is following a model of vision and vision casting that is more from the business journal and less from the Bible.
While it is important to learn from our friends in business and industry we must remember that we are not in business or industry.  We are serving the King and following Him in advancing His Kingdom.  From Nehemiah we can learn a few practical biblical principals for vision and casting vision in Kingdom leadership.

1. Wait for it!  Timing is everything.  What do we say about God, "He is never early but always on time."  We often wait for God and in His perfect timing He gives us that answer we are waiting for or He provides for that need we have.  Casting vision is much like that.  Don't give it to soon, but don't give it to late.  Find the right and appropriate time to share vision with the people you shepherd.
2. God is the author of vision!  Let me be clear and simple on this.  Vision is not something we dream up.  Vision is not formulated in a committee by consensus and compromise.  Vision is revealed from above!  It is His vision that He puts into our minds.
3. Keep the vision alive in your heart!  As you wait for God's timing don't loose your passion for the vision.  Keep it every before you by looking, remembering and dreaming about what God has in store for you to be a part of.  Too often while we wait we talk ourselves out of doing what God has envisioned for us to do.  

DNA of a Growing, Fruitful and Healthy Church, Part 2: Characteristics

How important are report cards?  Depends who you ask.  Ask a child in College, High School or elementary school (I have at least one in each) and depending on how they feel they're doing the answer may be different.  But in reality no matter what it is that we are doing, being able to evaluate is critical.  The church is no different.  In the last blog, part 1 of this DNA discussion we talked about the need to move our churches toward a new paradigm or mindset.  I find that many churches are using a report card that speaks more to organization and programs and less to a healthy church DNA.

So then what should be the markers we look for to determine whether we are growing, fruitful and healthy?  What characteristics should we be seeking to build into the mindset of our churches?  Let me briefly outline 5 characteristics that I think are important and most critical, biblical.

1. Biblical Integrity.  Having a clear knowledge of what the Bible says, being able to apply it to our context and then faithfully living it out.  We must ask is our purpose, leadership and values truly Biblical.
2. Covenant Community.  Every member of the church must covenant (promise) to live out the true biblical meaning of Koinenea (fellowship) and then live up to it.  This would include developing deepening relationships, encouraging one another and being accountable to each other.
3. Love for Christ.  We must have a personal love for Jesus that is expressed in our commitment to Him in vibrant worship, personal living and a public witness.
4. Missional Living.  We must live out His mission, continuing the ministry of Jesus as we are prompted and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
5. Commitment to Maturity.  We should have a personal commitment to growing to maturity, becoming more like Jesus Christ each day.  This is more than knowledge of the Bible.  It is an active prayer life, personally be equipped and developing our ministry skills, mentoring (discipling) others and a faithful involvement in ministry.

DNA of a growing, fruitful and healthy church: Introduction

Ed Stetzer & Mike Dodson (Comeback Churches, pg. 29-30) wrote: "Most churches in North America need a new approach, a new philosophy, and a new passion.  Yet most won't make the change."
Why is that?  Why do we have difficulty righting the ship?  Stetzer & Dodson continue, "Too many pastors will see the need for change but will be unable to convince there churches to make the changes necessary."  This I believe is true.  I know that this was the case in at least 2 of the churches I have pastored over the last 20 plus years of ministry.  What is the disconnect?
Well again Stetzer & Dodson rightly diagnose the problem.  "Most pastors reading this believe that the church exists, at least in part, to fulfill the great commission. . . .But the average person in the church thinks the church exists to meet his or her needs."  
So what can we do?  What does the church need to make this change?  The church needs a new spiritual DNA.  If you prefer, the church as a whole needs a new mindset or paradigm.  DNA in our bodies is the substance that contains our genetic instructions.  These instructions are used as our body develops and in every aspect of how we function as a living organism.  You might call it our blueprints for life.  Spiritually most churches today need to be infused with a new DNA or blue print of what it is to be the church.  We have blurred the Biblical mandate of the churches purpose with traditions and programs.
If we are to lead our churches to be growing fruitful and healthy we must introduce them to a new philosophy and mindset about the church.  Are you up to the challenge?

check back later fro part 2.