Subject: How to "win the world" ? |
Bible Note: Tim Was this disciple making or integrating new believers into the church? Most churches have classes for new "believers". In these classes the new people learn the "purpose" of church, learn they are needed as workers in the church, learn the reasons and need to tithe, significance of baptism and etc. Disciplining some one is more than basic Christianity for New Believers class (though that is a good start) it is reproducing ourselves in others. How many of these new believers or anyone for that matter has spent time with you as you; witnessed one on one to others, prayed for the needs of the church, for the salvation of others, how many went with you on hospital visitation, funerals, marriages, counseling sessions? Have they shared in your devotions, your personal prayer, have they seen you in your true relationship with God. Do you know where they are in Christ , not what they are doing in the church or on Sunday but how are they living day to day. Do you know what obstacles they are facing, problems they are dealing with, breakthroughs they have experienced. Do you have a close personal relationship with any and if so how many? How many of these people have turned off their TV and are out visiting and sharing Jesus instead of kicked back watching TV? How many could step into the pulpit and once past their early nervousness could bring forth the word in truth and victory? Tim I know nothing about Willow Creek Church or what they are doing in the area of disciple making, but I do question how you do the things I mentioned above to so many people and do it effectively. I wonder how many have ever sat down and even had a heart to heart conversation with “their” pastor. I wonder how many that will die while attending that church will have “their” pastor speak from his heart about them, what they did, accomplished for the Lord. If one of them is in the hospital can/will “their” pastor go and sit with the family until the crisis passes? Can he even walk into the room and know everyone without introducing himself to nearly everyone in the room? I used the term their pastor to say it doesn’t have to be the senior pastor himself just one of his disciples that is now a pastor. Most churches today want you saved, plugged in and attending and let the rest of the chips fall where they may. Most pastors are far to busy to even attempt to completely disciple a staff member let alone make disciples of the congregation. What we call church today is really nothing more than venue for the preacher to preach on Sunday. Everything else that takes place in the church is ancillary to the big event on Sunday morning. Where is the disciple making where is the relationship building, where is people getting turned on and sold out for Christ? EdB |