As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am thinking a great deal about this idea of discipleship. It seems we've complicated the gospel, muddied the waters a bit, and lost the simplicity and clarity of what it means to be a follower, an apprentice of Jesus. Maybe its because we've turned discipleship into a program, a department in our churches, rather than an intentional, disciplined process where we submit ourselves to the ways of the Master Teacher Jesus. When we make a department of our churches the "discipleship department" or we simply create some efficient program to run people through we can easily be tempted to believe that the "professionals" will handle it from here on out and its no longer our individual or communal responsibility as Christ-followers. Direction, leadership, intentionality are important, but only so far. My point: every department of the church - and of our lives for that matter - should be the discipleship department.
We've muddied the waters.
And I'm guilty of muddying the waters myself. I need to unlearn here in order to re-learn.
The Jewish understanding of discipleship is radically different than what most Western Christians think it is. (That explanation would be a great future post. Maybe I'll write about that some time in the coming weeks).
We live in a world where we talk about the idea of "Christian" at an excessive level and yet we have neglected the language, practice and original, biblical concept of "disciple." In the New Testament the word disciple occurs 269 times. The word christian appears only three times - and was first used to describe disciples of Jesus. Quite an alarming ration, isn't it? You'd think it was the other way around, wouldn't you?
Dallas Willard's book The Great Omission (which was the most provocative book I read in 2006) talks about the lack of discipleship in (of all places) the Church.
"A disciple is a learner, a student, an apprentice - a practitioner, even if only a beginner...Disciples of Jesus are people who do not just profess certain views as their own but apply their growing understanding of life in the Kingdom of the Heavens to every aspect of their life on earth. In contrast, the governing assumption today, among professing Christians, is that we can be "Christians" forever and never become disciples" (p. xi, emphasis mine).
What a haunting last line that is!
Another one from Willard...
"For the last several decades the churches of the Western world have not made discipleship a condition of being a Christian. One is not required to be, or to intend to be, a disciple in order to become a Christian, and one may remain a Christian without any signs of progress toward or in discipleship. Contemporary American churches in particular do not require following Christ in his example, spirit and teachings as a condition of membership - either of entering into or continuing in fellowship of a denomination of local church...so far as the visible Christian institutions of our day are concerned, discipleship is optional" (p. 4, emphasis mine).
My spine tingles when I read that quote again.
More questions I am pondering:
Am I a disciple, or only a Christian by current standards?
How will I know the difference?
What are the building blocks of true discipleship?
How do we make discipleship essential, significant, central -- rather than merely optional?
How I make sure that discipleship does not become a program of the church, but the central, unifying force and commitment that we rally around?
I love this line from Shane Claiborne in his book, The Irrestible Revolution.
"I was just another believer. I believed all the right stuff - that Jesus is the Son of God, died and rose again. I had become a believer but not a follower. People had taught me what Christians believe, but no one had told me how Christians live."
We spend 90% of our time teaching with words, trying to convey what should be believed. How does this match the Franciscan saying, "Preach the gospel always. And when necessary, use words?"
I personally stink at discipleship but want to start teaching people the how along with the what. Just as much I would like someone to disciple and teach me. Our community at Resonate will grow when this takes place.
Posted by: GB | February 05, 2007 at 11:17 AM
I forget who said this, but I recently heard it summed up in a single sentence; "We believe in Jesus, but we don't believe in what he taught".
Posted by: Rick | February 05, 2007 at 12:52 PM
JR, Amen, Personally, I have been pondering how church leadership can foster an environment of discipleship. So far I can only think of few: sermons encouraging it and through life example ... Our Cgroup has camped out on 2 Tim 2:1-7 and a couple questions arise: "Who is your Paul?", "Who is your Timothy?", "Am I and Are they reliable?" and "Are we good soldiers, athletes competing according to the rules, and hardworking farmers?
Regards, Doug
PS On well over 10 years, I have only heard discipleship encouraged or used as an example only a couple times.
PPS BTW: Advice to save time: Stay away from anything called "mentoring" unless it has biblical roots ... most of the time it is a ripoff from the business world and given lip-service.
Posted by: DougG | February 05, 2007 at 02:33 PM
I would love it if the church would offer an ABF specifically on discipleship. I mean, that is what Jesus called his specific 12, his disciples. I think the class should include some role playing in how to be a disciple so we can get out of our comfort zone and be more comfortable being a disciple. We've all heard the verse before Matthew 28:19 - Therefore go and make DISCIPLES of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Posted by: | February 06, 2007 at 07:23 AM
Good thoughts. Unfortunetly, discipleship is not emphasized in the American church. Peoples lives are messy and the cost are high to "lay your life down for the brethren". What a radical, spirit lead lifestyle one must lead to become and make disciples of Christ! It is very intimidating.
2 books have been particularly helpful for me in developing a biblically sound understanding of what discipleship could/should look like:
1: Master Plan of Evangelism
By Robert Coleman
2:Organic Disciplemaking
By Dennis McCallum and
Jessica Lowery
The second book is super practical. It is also a good measure to see if you are fulfilling the call of 2 Tim 2:2 and matt 28
Lots of other good teachings and essays on the topic on xenos.org
Posted by: steven sutters | February 06, 2007 at 12:41 PM
More Books:
The Complete Book of Discipleship: http://www.navpress.com/Store/Product/1576838978.html
The Lost Art of Disciplemaking: http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Disciple-Making-LeRoy-Eims/dp/031037281X
Regards, DougG
Posted by: DougG | February 06, 2007 at 06:13 PM
Crash! Bang!!! I hear the jaws of church pastors and leaders dropping to the floor all across the world.
I never was disappointed with your bold and self-examinatory style of teaching at Pierced.
Yet I'm sure the list of hate-mail grows toward each of us that "boldly proclaim the truth."
In medication of those events past and preparation for those to come, I pray this scripture as a blessing for you J.R.
Luke 6:22
Blessed are you when men hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil,
because of the Son of Man.
Posted by: Jason Rhue | February 07, 2007 at 07:39 PM
Thanks for your thoughts on discipleship and the Church...sounds like Willard's book needs to be on my list to read! I don't think I've told you guys yet, but I'm headed back to Israel and Turkey with RVL again this spring (with God NOTHING is impossible!) and am anticipating my grasp of discipleship to be challenged and awakened! Know you guys are missed and that I'm praying for you and the fam :)
Posted by: Kjersten | February 08, 2007 at 01:56 PM