“You Can Grow a Church and Never Make a Disciple!”
That statement by Mike Breen should send shock waves through the mind of every church leader – and yes, the statistics support this eye opening statement.
Being a disciple is about following Jesus, and if we do that, we end up in some odd places – like at a party where those far from God are present, like in a garden. No, not the garden of beauty of Genesis 2, but the Garden of Gethsemane where we are called to lay down our lives and surrender. We end up in places we wouldn’t prefer – like on a cross; a place of shame and death.
Being a disciple is more than church attendance. A disciple is being captured by the love of Christ so much so that we “sell out” (e.g. the parable of the pearl of great price). Being a disciple goes beyond church growth to the deeper call of personal habits of holiness. Being a disciple, according to the pattern of Jesus, includes being sent into the world “as we go” to make disciples.
It all begins in the soul of the leader. What habits does the leader have of spiritual formation? How does the leader deal with his or her own passions and pursuits? How does the leader respond to challenges and hurt? Who is the leader seeking to influence toward the King?
Discipleship does not begin with teaching. IT BEGINS WITH LIVING!!!
Before we ask how is the church doing we must ask how you, as a spiritual leader, are doing. Everything flows from that center.
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Thank you so much for your words of encouragement! This God journey we are on is an amazing ride isn’t it? I’m humbled to have the opportunity to participate and to do it alongside fellow believers!