So to answer the question to my last post how would you create a church full of disciples? I think the first step is to begin with the end in mind. You can do that by asking two questions: ”What does a disciple look like?” Or, “what characteristics identify a disciple?” Here are a few I came up with:
- Works towards Christ-likeness: this is an ongoing process; we will never arrive here.
- Has a healthy view of discipleship: being a disciple is not the beginning, but the destination that we work towards.
- Follows the teachings of Jesus: a disciple must know his/her teacher
- Leadership: not the authoritative-top-down type of leader. A disciple is one who inspires others. They become a leader by influencing others and serving others.
- Envisions: A disciple is someone who can see the big picture. He/she knows the path ahead and understands what it will take to get there. Whether it’s leading a group of people or reaching out to others.
- Is a servant: They have the ability of laying their personal preferences to the side for the sake of others.
In no way is this meant to be an exhaustive or complete list. But it is a start. It’s also important to make a list of what a disciple isn’t. Here are a few thoughts:
- Just because you are a Christian does not mean you are a disciple: It is easy to become a Christian. It is hard to be a disciple.
- A disciple is not a passive audience member: He/she is active – always looking for an opportunity to help others.
- A disciple is not constipated, but a lot of Christians are. Christians can become enamored with bible studies, knowledge, information, etc, but lack in teaching and leading others, especially those outside the faith.
- A disciple is not a “holy huddler”: a disciples understands the culture and will take risks by building friendships with those who don’t know Jesus, rather than surrounding themselves with the familiar.
This also is not a complete list, but can begin laying the foundation. So, in the context of the church body reproducing disciples, what are some characteristics of a disciple? Or, just the opposite, what does not make a discple?
Well you asked for feedback, I am not in church leadership, but I am going to school with about 500 people who want/are in… at a school where they train you to be a church leader (among many other things) so…
I agree with J. Dunn and think that progress and learning are the essence of discipleship, and it is intrinsically personal. That being said, trying to understand how an institution is supposed to support an intrinsically personal development is understandably difficult. Maybe a bit of an adapted approach is needed here, so lets take a gander.
The term disciple is really a phrase used mostly in the gospels to refer to the believers at large (rather than the 120 or so specific people actually following Jesus), in the epistles we usually see believers at large referred to some other way, ‘the brothers’, etc. We also understand that not many believers truly take the path of discipleship, yet it is tied into the judgment at the end of the age; therefore we understand it is an important process.
Lets say it this way, a disciple is more than a frequent listener to Jesus, a disciple is someone who has joined Jesus in his mission. Therefore how can the institution that we call the church today facilitate this? The same way the large group gatherings of the NT did, which happens to be the only consistent theme between all the recorded gatherings of early Christians; through good biblical teaching. The only consistent factor between any recorded first century group of Christians is a commitment to quality teaching… only when properly understanding God’s revelation to man (i.e. the Bible) can believers properly understand the motives and reasoning and process of being a disciple (per Dunn, progress and learning).
Another way: the process of discipleship has historically and is today, usually best facilitated by excellent, high quality Biblical teaching, focused on properly understanding the Scriptures (at the institutional level). County line’s phrase “everyone is a minister” captures this concept… therefore the role of the leaders is teaching, enabling the rest of the ministers to be better ministers/disciples… and that is done through large and small group, quality teaching. The heart probably wont follow what the mind can not understand or what the mind disagrees with.
Maybe I have even taken a step back in the process from where you were at, hopefully something in this is helpful… I am all about dialoguing about this, feel free to e-mail me!!
Hey Nathan, I really enjoy reading your blog, especially since I agree with most of your musings. John Wimber, my church planting mentor posited the issue this way. Four questions. What kind of disciple do we want to deploy in the world? What kind of church grows that kind of disciple? What kind of servant leadership facilitates that kind of church? That’s why we posture the staff at Heartland Church (www.hccfw.com) as ministry coaches rather than calling everyone on staff pastor. We took our naming from Eph. 4:12. We are to equip the saints for the work of ministry. Equipping, as you know, means, bringing things into alignment, (like setting a broken bone) so things can heal and grow strong. Secondly, it means laying a good foundation. Third, it means imparting skills. We say we want disciples to have Bible skills, ministry skills, and life skills. To move a church community in America away from the idea that church gatherings are about religious entertainment, to the Bible mandate to make disciples mean we have to fundementally challenge Christian’s comfort zone, and exhort Christains to take up their cross. Gal.2:20 is not the most taught and understood truth in the church today. Keep wrestling with your eccelesilogy. I am excited about what God is beginning to do in the church in America.
Karl,
Thanks for the comments. I like what you have to say. From a leadership standpoint, obviously teaching scripture, especially the word’s of Jesus, are important.
Your comment about being committed is a critical component. I was just reading the same thing in Bill Hull’s book, The Disciple Making Pastor. In Ch. 3, he is describing various components of a disciple. He states, “The disciple has a committment to Scripture”. On page 82 he says that “study (2 Tim. 2:15), fight (2 Cor. 10:3-5), and defend (1 Peter 3:15) are the three functional abilities that result from demonstrated commitment to Scripture”.
I think teaching is only the beginning. Teaching can communicate the reason to become a disciple as well as provide guidelines for equipping a disciple, and provide a vision for the work of a disciple.
When it comes to pastors and leaders of our local churches, are we responsible to fulfill the great commission that says we are to “Go and Make Disciples” (Mt. 28)?
I think we begin through teaching, but there must be a call to action. A call the asks the disciple to pick up his cross and follow Jesus. How can the church help facilitate the act of a discple?
Create environments? Provide opportunities? Or simply give instructions and send them out?
Ron,
Thanks for the comments. You never did state the 4th question though? I like the other 3 and will begin working to answer those.
I am familiar with your positions as ministry coaches and have always been curious as to why you use coach. I think it makes a lot of sense.
So, how does Heartland equip the saints?
What foundation do you lay?
How do you impart the bible, ministry, and life skills?
I would like to talk to you more about this. You like coffee??