“Toward a Great Commission Resurgence.” For anyone with a heart for the gospel, this is a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak collection of statistics recently circulated on the church in America. Cause to celebrate, correct? Maybe!
The document referenced above is an appeal to Southern Baptists to focus on the essential elements of the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. We need to engage that challenge. We need to do so with urgency, passion and perseverance. The clear and unambiguous objective of the Great Commission is disciples. Genuine disciples must be fully formed in the image and likeness of Christ (Romans 12:2; Colossians 1:28; Hebrews 13:17). The document calling us to action is timely and well written. However, there is no process offered to measure the outcome of our labors. Do we in fact make disciples?
What is a disciple? To answer this question with integrity, we must be able to define with precision the character traits, virtues and conduct that mark a person as a disciple of Jesus Christ. We must be able to measure with exegetical accuracy what the text of scripture defines as a mature obedient disciple. Transformation is more than information. It must include application. Applied theology is the consistent integration of truth into daily living. God’s truth ultimately shapes every dimension of a disciple’s life. To validate our claim that we are disciple-makers, we must have an accurate and biblical definition of a disciple. We must also have a metric – an objective standard, a means to measure and validate spiritual formation.
Disciple-making is a life-on-life process, not a program. Intentional disciple-making in a local church should include the following essentials. These elements validate our claim that we “make disciples.” Examine the ministry in which you serve. What components do you need to modify, to add?
? Purpose – Making disciples must be the focus of every ministry venue in a local church. There may be many ministry endeavors. Each venue must have as its chief aim making disciples fully formed in the image of Christ.
? Definition – There must be a clear, written statement that defines what we mean by “disciple.” There is not one definition. Each assembly must define what a disciple is, and that definition must harmonize with the text of scripture. I offer the following as an example.
A disciple is a believer who is becoming more like Christ and whose transformation is consistent, objective and measurable. Transformation comes from the study of scripture, applying the precepts and principles in daily living and imitating the life of a disciple as modeled by mature believers. There is deliberate and intentional effort to obey all that Jesus has commanded.
? Unity – Making disciples is a function of the body of Christ, not a few “super saints.” The entire body must subscribe to and support the intentional disciple-making effort.
? Surrender – Each participant must welcome with transparency and vulnerability the objective and compassionate examination of the transformation process in their lives.
? Accountability – This is positive nurture. It is each one helping the other keep the commitments they have made to God on the basis of loving relationships.
? Modeling – The disciple is able to observe the life of mature believers and imitate the image of Christ they observe in those lives.
? Metric – Each assembly must develop a metric. The standard is a means of measuring transformation used by each individual believer and the leadership team. This brings objective assessment to the transformation process. Keep it simple and user-friendly.
? Leadership – This entire process requires courage, competence and humility. We must move ministry from mere activity to genuine transformation. Wholehearted obedience with a passion to honor Christ is essential.
The church has generally applied a one-size-fits-all approach to ministry. Not good. Jesus nurtured his disciples in phases. Create appropriate expectations for people as they progress through the disciple-making process. Connect them with others who share similar struggles. Provide godly models for them to imitate. Celebrate with them when they reach a new plateau in their maturity. This is all possible when we have credible definitions and well crafted processes dedicated to intentional disciple-making.
We have measured one-dimensional issues for decades – attendance, baptisms and offerings. These are important because they represent people. They are important, but indisputably incomplete. The time has come for us to repent and embrace the resurgence.
Fillinger is pastor of SouthEast Community Church in Columbia. He is also a certified consultant with the Society for Church Consulting and CEO of IgniteUS Ministries.