Who Are You Discipling?
A Genesis church creates and utilizes a plan to involve each Nazarene (of any age group) in discipleship and ministry on the local and/or district level.
I had been a missionary for two full years and was traveling to many different countries preaching and teaching. One of the things I spoke most passionately about was discipleship.
But there was a problem. I was not intentionally discipling anyone.
God corrected me on that and it was uncomfortable. “You talk a lot about discipleship,” I sensed him saying. “Who are you discipling?”
“Um, my family,” I defended myself.
“That is valid and good. But who else?” he insisted lovingly.
I had no good excuse. I talked the talk, but I was certainly not walking the walk.
And I am not the only one.
I usually end my sermons on discipleship the same way: inviting those present to take the step to begin to disciple one person for one hour a week for the next year.
No one raises their hand.
These same people were literally saying “Amen” over and over during my sermon as I emphasized the need to make Christlike disciples in the nations.
I give the call again.
No one comes forward.
Why is that?
I believe a lot of people do not feel adequate to disciple others. Some think they have to have a seminary degree or they will mess the other person up theologically. Some consider discipleship the pastor’s work. Others are just too busy.
The third characteristic of a Genesis church is that it creates and utilizes a plan to involve each Nazarene (of any age group) in discipleship and ministry on the local and/or district level.
That’s some pretty radical stuff right there. Let’s unpack it.
“Creates and utilizes a plan” – A lot of churches hope discipleship happens for their members. But how many develop and implement a plan of life-long learning so that everyone – from the person who visits the church for the first time to the 80-year old lady who has been a Christian all her life – is growing in Christ in an intentional way?
“To involve each Nazarene (of any age group)” – Is the work of discipleship relegated to your Sunday School ministries team? Does your church think about adults primarily when they plan spiritual-growth activities or buy curriculum? Are children’s ministries workers constantly seeking how to help their kids mature in Christ or are they glorified babysitters?
“In discipleship and ministry on the local and/or district level” – Is close to every attendee in your church involved in some form of ministry? Not all will be able to teach, play an instrument or sing. Are there opportunities for artists and accountants and lawyers and videographers and good cooks to minister inside and outside the walls of the building? Is every new follower of Christ thrust into service of some kind immediately – even if it is moving chairs and cleaning floors? Also, don’t forget that kids and teens can do a lot of this, too. Isn’t it better to minister with children instead of just to them?
After God corrected me for my lack of disciple-making, I repented and asked him to help me to raise up and train an army of Sprit-filled leaders. Although we have moved several times since, at every stop I have discipled weekly 1-3 people who are now serving in ministry.
Would you take the step and do the same?
A Genesis church creates and utilizes a plan to involve each Nazarene (of any age group) in discipleship and ministry on the local and/or district level.
- Scott Armstrong, Missionary in the Church of the Nazarene