I have been dealing with this question recently. I have been applying it to everything that I do from church to family to dealing with MS. I would like to share with you the "what if..." I have been thinking about this week:
What if a church plant focused on making disciples?
Now I know that question seems odd. After all, why plant a church without focusing on making disciples, isn't that why we plant churches? Well, to be honest with you, I see many church plants just trying to grow an institution. (I am not speaking for every church plant) For example, I went to the website of a church plant this week expecting to see great ideas. What I found was a site that seemed to focus on how many people were coming, how much money they needed, and a plea for donations. The mindset is out there that if we just get them to our services, then we can give them Jesus and get them into a small group. Let's be honest, isn't that what the traditional institution of church has become? Let's just get them to the church house and all will be well. The problem is all is not well. Where is the church that impacts communities because they focus on making disciples of people. (I know this is a controversial issue and you may think I am dead wrong, but this is my third blog entry and I thought it would be good to stir it up)
I am not saying that church planters are out to build their empires, in fact, I believe the opposite. Church planters are men who truly have a desire to impact the world for Christ. I do believe the measuring stick for success is flawed. If we draw a large crowd, our church is successful. If we can build a building, our church is successful. If we look at the ministry of Jesus it would not be considered successful. True He drew large crowds, but they left when the teaching became too hard. He only had twelve followers and one would betray Him. He was put to death - not a good thing on a success level. But was Jesus' ministry a failure? NO WAY!!!!!!
It is time for us to change the measuring stick of success. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results. If we expect different results in the church plant, then let's change more than our music, stage set up, and time of service. Let's change the definition of success.
What if church planters would stop focusing on the traditional success measuring stick and focus on making disciples who in turn make disciples of Jesus Christ?
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About Me
- Mike
- I am married and have 2 daughters. Currently I am planting a church in Greenville, SC called The Journey. In 1998 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis which has been an adventure. I have written a book titled Dealing with the Diagnosis which details this journey as well as how to have hope in the face of an unexpected diagnosis.
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"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself" Matthew 22:37-38
1 comment:
I agree 100%. I have struggled with this concept for as long as God has put a calling on my life. I still struggle with this notion and to be honest, do not see an end to it.
I do not have a paid position at Church, and I am not sure I ever will. I just do what God lays on my heart, and try to follow his guidance for my life. I fail, as we all do, but try to keep fighting my way back.
I have had others help me over the 13 years of so that I have been working in Church and constantly struggle with this idea of success. I have seen lives touched, I have seen lives hurt. In my heart, I think I realize that a real ministry will not have large numbers. I feel that way because of the example that you shared, Jesus did not have a large regular following.
I believe that the masses, if they truly are "saved" really do not desire to know God. They are content with the hope that they are saved and really do not need to change their lives. They do not need to become closer to God. They do not seem to miss Him.
I have worked with children, youth, and adults and feel as though it applies to all. I joke with the teenagers that I regularly teach that I usually get a "Jesus Lives" response from people when I challenge them. They do not like it when I go too deep and prefer to know just that "Jesus Lives."
Having said that, I think that is the reason why a real ministry is a small one. It is rare to find people that are really "after God's own hear."
I will not take up too much more of your space, but I think you just motivated me to start another blog in addition to my Warcraft blog.
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