Only 60% of church leaders think they are discipling well

My friend and I got together in the cold of the early morning to run into the sunrise. The moon was just bright enough to light the path until the sun peeked out from behind the horizon. The world seemed quiet around us we spoke of a thousand different things, trying our best to not sound too out of breath.

After the run, he made a great breakfast and we spoke more over coffee. As our conversation wore on, Christ revealed his presence more and more clearly. We both left the moment knowing God was present and that we each had much to consider in our walk with the Lord.

It is mornings like this one described where I ask myself: is this not what discipleship in Jesus is supposed to resemble?

A growing un-discipled church

Church leaders admit that they feel they are not doing discipleship well.

Discipleship is one of the primary functions of the church: that is to facilitate a space in which people who are called to Jesus might experience his presence and grow to be like him.

The role of the church leader is to equip the saints, think Ephesians 4:12.

If we are not doing that in our churches, then what are we doing?

Losing the main thing

If I were to ask you what your church does that people would not be able to get anywhere else, what would you say?

Some people say their pastor’s preaching is great. But I would argue that, for most people, they can probably find a better speaker online.

Some people claim their worship is special. Maybe it is, but I have plenty of friends who argue that they’d rather go to a concert than sing songs in church.

Some claim the church they attend has a fun kids program. That’s great, but kids will have fun in most places. In fact places like a trampoline park are going to be a bigger draw than church.

The Church is fighting against major trends.

Less people are going to church. Therefore, less people have connection to a body let alone the biblical story.

More people are staying home in general. It is getting harder to draw people out in general.

People are more skeptical than ever about institutions including religion.

If we are going to fight the trend and convince people of the God we serve, it is not going to come through entertainment, by having the best speakers or newest songs or most fun.

We need reminded that the Church does two things best: facilitating a moment with God and creating spaces for unique relationships between people.

People can find entertainment nearly anywhere. But people cannot always be led by, or walk alongside of, other people into a real moment with God. How many people are having those types of deep and spiritual moments? When are they experiencing God, those who are distanced from the biblical story and the communion of the people of God?

Of course you can experience the presence of God in your living room. Or in nature. Or in your car. Or literally anywhere.

But, the Church provides a special space in which people of all types come together and work out their eternity with one another. They speak, they listen, they read, they sing. Collectively they move towards this goal of the presence of God, something they both sit under and are indwelled with.

Truly, this collective effort combined with the supernatural spiritual experience is something felt and known as like no where else.

I think we have lost the art of discipling because we have lost the focus of our gathering. In an effort to gain attendees, grow budgets, and keep people happy, we came up with ways to make church relatable or new or interesting.

Our discipleship is born from a singular focus of loving God and loving others. May we not be distracted into entertainment, but strive to bring glory to God.

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