Originally posted 02-01-2010. Reposted 02-24-2011.
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No pastor or church leader would use a phrase like this blog post’s title to promote a discipleship curriculum or program. It sounds like a silly infomercial, not to mention it’s utterly unbiblical. Sadly though, the way we promote discipleship in our churches frequently and unintentionally sends this kind of message. No wonder so many people make decisions for Christ but their lives don’t seem to change much.
Recently in her blog Heather Zempel wrote: “Discipleship is a whole life journey, not an 8-week class.” That statement ought to be posted over the exits of every church building. Becoming a disciple is instantaneous. When a person chooses to become a Christ-follower that person IS a disciple. Yet discipleship is a life-long process.
So that begs the question: what are we as church leaders doing to prepare those we lead for the long journey? Are we promoting classes, curriculums, courses, and workshops? Perhaps we should be promoting behaviors, habits, skills, experiences, and relationships.
Behaviors, habits, skills, experiences and relationships take tons of time and one-on-one interactions. Courses, classes, curriculums, and workshops take a few weeks and one-on-many interactions. The former is a crock pot that takes disciples on the life-long journey of discipleship. The latter is a microwave that quickly makes disciples hot, but only for a short while…all to soon they become luke-warm.
Lord, may we, as those leading your sheep, choose crock pots!
Great post. So which do you prefer: One to one or One to Many? Which do think is morning influential? I’m struggling with these questions right now myself.
I’m tracking right with you.
Here are two items I posted this morning (as part of a work-in-progress set of succinct statements of principles):
The Equipper’s World View: http://bit.ly/deyHfy
The 3 Big Ideas, a Problem & The Solution: http://bit.ly/dmKj48
Great question Chad! Sadly what I prefer is one-to-many. It’s sad because it’s easier for me and my concern should be primarily about what is better for those I lead. What’s best for those I lead is one-to-one. It’s slower, harder, more consuming, but better!!! Just ask yourself how I’ve had the most impact on you personally, Chad. Was it when we were walking by the lake or was it by the video curriculums I produced? I’m guessing the better discipleship came from our long walks.
You would be correct in your assumption. I would encourage you to find a Timothy and meet for coffee. I’m currently being discipled man-to-man and it is one of the most beneficial experiences that I have ever had. If you are interested I could introduce you to some folks that get you every discipling resource you could ever want and need. Remember, you only have to be one page in the book of the person you are meeting with. 🙂
I saw the title on this post on Twitter and thought to myself: Please, say it ain’t so. Alan wouldn’t say that! Shame on me, right?–I should have known better. lol
I love what you wrote, this kind of thing gets my pulse racing, and it’s exactly how Jesus made disciples. (It drives me crazy when someone says: “I was discipled by ____________”, as if discipleship comes to an end.)
Great, great, great stuff. Keep on raising the flag man.