Monday, December 23, 2013
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Where are the disciples?
Our churches are experiencing a famine of disciples. For
decades we have emphasized conversion (Jesus never emphasized that or commanded
it), saying the “sinners prayer” (where in the Bible is that?!). We have structured
our services to attract “seekers” and toned down our teaching to be palatable
to those whose hearts are dark.
People responded to a message that said that following
Christ simplified life and insured it would be easier and more prosperous. They
were won with methods that made them “spectators” sitting back for the big show
on Sunday. It fit in with our strip mall shopping culture. When things begin to
lose the “zing” they like or become too challenging off they go to another church
to “have their needs met”.
This has been in place for so long that now we are beginning
to see the dire consequences of emphasizing conversion over discipleship (Jesus
commanded us to go make disciples, not converts). Neither adults nor youth are
able to clearly explain let alone defend their faith. Less than 15% of
evangelicals have a Biblical worldview. The situation among our youth is incredibly bad. They are
leaving our churches in droves. Fewer than .6% who have grown up in our churches, attended our Sunday schools, our youth groups, have a Biblical
worldview. They are unable to articulate what they believe.
We have turned following Christ into merely hearing about
Him. Faith is a verb! It should be faithing…something we DO not something we
posses. Those who are faithing are actively involved in studying the Bible to
learn of their Lord and His expectations on how they are to live; they are actively
pursuing sanctification (Christ transforming them, delivering them from sin,
and making them more holy); they are actively praying intercessory prayers for
their friends, neighbors and community; they are actively sharing the Gospel
where ever they go; they are actively serving their communities, seeking
to bring healing, reconciliation, and hope.
We have churches full of dead bones. Saying the sinner’s
prayer does not get you into heaven. If there is no fruit of repentance, if
there is no change of life…conversion is suspect.
An emphasis upon discipleship addresses these problems
because the message is to follow Jesus.
Disciples are learners, disciples are action oriented, disciples seek to
discipline their lives in obedience to Christ’s teachings, service is natural
for disciples, disciples embrace hardship for the cause of Christ. Disciples
place following Christ as the organizing principle of their life, taking precedence
over every other desire, ambition or goal.
Disciples in our churches are few. Where are the disciples?
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