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I am on a journey to see how God will use me in this messy thing called the "Church." While on that journey I have just recently moved to a new role as a Sr. Pastor. Not real sure what that means really, but God is moving and I will follow the wave as it goes.

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Discipleship – who’s responsible?

April 27th, 2011 • Related • Filed Under
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I just finished reading the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18 – 20, again.  This verse has shaped the church for hundreds of years.  I have used those verses to develop ministry philosophy and structure in every ministry that I have been a part of.  As I read this verse just a few minutes ago, I was convicted of a particular thought.  Let me try to share this with you.

On a couple of occasions I have had individuals come to me and share that they were struggling in their spiritual growth and were thinking about leaving to attend a different church.  My response was always sadness but it was not my fault that they were not growing spiritually.  As I just read these verse I am not sure that was the correct response on my behalf.

“go and make disciples…”

If my job is to make disciples and I am leading a portion of the church then should I not take seriously those who are struggling to grow who attend our church?  Too often we have been guilty of pushing this off as a personal issue.  Should we not be more intentional and aware of those criticisms when they come?

Understand, I am not saying that you and I are responsible for the spiritual welfare of every individual in our ministries.  Every person should take ownership of growing closer to God and learning from His word.  However, we have been called to “make disciples.”  We are responsible for leading people and giving them the tools they need to grow.  As leaders we need to be watching the thermostat of spiritual development in our people.

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  • bnall

    It’s a matter of the proverbial leading the horse to water.  I was discussing with a fellow member just on Sunday morning that out of a church of 600-800 people five people, including the teacher, show up for a class on spiritual disciplines.  Either we are a church of outstanding disciples who have it all together or our priorities are messed up.  Granted, some may be attending classes throughout the week, but I believe we can do much better.  As far as the specific response to your discussion question, I don’t think we are ultimately responsible as long as we as a church are prayerfully presenting the opportunities for growth as best as we can.

  • Anonymous

    Brian,

    I am nervous that we as a church culture are placing this on those who are coming to the church and not really working towards helping others grow.  We get wrapped up in what happens on Sunday morning and all the details of church that we forget that the most important thing is people.  Helping them grow and being able to have those tough conversations about what they need to do next is part of being a leader.

    Yes, leaders can not make people grow but we can create a culture where it is expected and opportunities are provided.

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