If you know your Greek, you understand that the single imperative in the Great Commission is “make disciples.” No one questions the importance of discipleship to the vitality of any church. And there’s certainly no shortage of resources available to facilitate the task. Even so, most congregations today admit their struggle to effectively see people transformed into growing, serving, and reproducing followers of Jesus Christ.
With as much attention given to disciple making today, why do so many struggle with it? God has given me a unique perspective on the matter, having served as a pastor, church planter, and missionary in diverse settings, and among varied people groups. Through this journey I’ve noticed several common missteps that derail disciple making efforts.
No Clear Plan
Many congregations fail to plan for making disciples. This lack of intentionality leaves a church aware of the need, but with no defined path for meeting it.
It’s a Program
Others relegate discipling to a single program or group of programs within the church. But with other programs competing for attention, disciple making becomes ineffective and watered-down.
It’s a Course
For some discipleship is a course or series of courses to complete, as if mere completion of the class defines one as a growing disciple.
Communicating Content
Whether a course, or the pastor’s sermon, for some discipling is simply about the delivery. But lacking genuine accountability, for most the information goes in one ear and out the other.
It’s All on the Pastor / Leader
I’ve seen some churches where all the teaching is by the pastor. He teaches Sunday School and Wednesday evening, preaching Sunday morning and evening. No one else teaches, except maybe for the children. This limits the church to the pastor’s personal range. Plus, you can’t raise new teachers unless you give them opportunities to teach.
No Opportunities for Modeling and Guided Practice
In some congregations, discipling ministries communicate content, leaving members to figure on their own how to live it. Read Robert Coleman’s book, The Master Plan of Evangelism to see how Jesus did it. Or just read the gospels.
Small Groups with Little or No Direction
I’ve worked with churches who aggressively promoted their small group discipling, yet provided no direction. Left to their own, many groups pursued theological tangents disruptive to the overall congregation.
No Evaluation
Finally, I’ve seen congregations that don’t bother measuring whether their efforts actually produce biblical disciples. It they tried, many would not know what to look for. I’m concerned that much done in the name of discipleship over the past generation served more to create cultural Christians than to develop authentic disciples, men and women who love Christ more than this world, who seek Him, who pursue holiness, who worship Him wholeheartedly and serve Him sacrificially.
Conclusion
I’m sure you can think of other ways congregations struggle to make disciples. I have to admit, over the years I’ve made several of these missteps myself. But I’ve also continued to learn. As I continue to study scripture, to pursue my personal relationship with the Lord, and see the testimonies of congregations where God’s hand obviously rests, He reveals the errors and I make correction.
Now some of you are saying, “You write as if this all rests on us. But life transformation is God’s work.” I agree with you, transformation is God’s work. But the command in Matthew 28:19 indicates the church bears responsibility as the agents through whom He works.
So, what about your congregation? What if any disciple making missteps have you made? What adjustments will you make to be more faithful to His call.
Think about it. If GTBN can help you along the way, give us a shout.
Blessings,
Bro. Jim