Discipleship = Training = The Mission of the Church
From Dan Kimball’s blog:
I love the thought that our churches should be seen and exist and training people not just to have head knowledge, or have nice worship bands or nice preaching or children’s programs – but that the church exists for training disciples for the mission we are on. If only we as church leaders would see it that way, and if only the people of our churches would see it that way – how incredibly different would our churches function and also what an incredible difference our churches would make in the world.
But as someone recently told me, discipleship isn’t the central mission of the church.
Hmm… let’s see what Jesus said about that:
Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20, The Message)
Good stuff …
I would submit that unless you are involved in real relationships, discipleship, and a community that facilitates such things, you’re not really a part of the Church, the true Body of Christ.
Or to put it in a more critical way, attending a building to sings songs and hear a message is not the Church. You could watch TV and get that. Or wait … buy the DVD! Its better than actually being there and you don’t even have to tithe! $19.95 is much cheaper than tithing! And you get cool music!
Sorry. The Irish sarcasm escapes.
Peace
Good word, drk. I think the quote from the Message about teaching people to “practice” the ways of Christ is really good. Not to practice the ways of church or Western Christianity, but Jesus. It’s so hard to separate ourselves from that, and I know everyone has to have a culture and a perspective, but how much we need to teach people the ways of Jesus first and most importantly, then let them apply it to their own culture and experience.