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A Framework for Discipleship

April 13, 2013 — Leave a comment

framework

Can we use research to discover the core attributes of a disciple? Or is this a purely biblical matter?

In a previous post, I shared different methods that we use to filter whether or not someone is a disciple of Jesus. The only problem with those common methods is that they are often anecdotal, and purely based on situational experiences.

Take Greg Ogden’s list, for example. He presents a biblical standard for discipleship by outlining how disciples:

Are proactive ministers
Live a disciplined way of life
Understand that discipleship affects all of life
Are a countercultural force
Are an essential, chosen organism
Are a biblically informed people
Are people who share their faith

This is a fantastic list, and very difficult to disagree with, since it is biblical. The problem with his list and everyone else’s is that they are merely anecdotal good ideas and frameworks. There is no evidence that these ideas, when transformed into a discipleship pathway, will actually produce the attributes of a healthy disciple.

In Discipleship, Ministry Christianity, community, disciple, discipleship, leadership, Ministry, Missional, multi-site, multisite, Religion, thoughts, Western Church

Is Your Neighbour a Disciple?

April 9, 2013 — 6 Comments

Neighbours

How can you tell if someone is a disciple of Jesus?

In a previous post, I summarized six expert definitions of a disciple and concluded with this as my definition: “A disciple of Jesus is an individual who is continually being transformed into the likeness of Christ, as he or she is learning and participating in the mission of God with others.”

If that’s what a disciple is, is there some easy way to tell if the guy that you are passing by on the street, or the lady that is in the cubicle next to you, is a disciple? After all, how can you really tell if someone is “continually being transformed into the likeness of Christ” when you only have a two minute interaction with them?

Perhaps it’s a list of visible outer actions and attitudes? Such as, whether or not you know John 3:16 by heart, sponsor a Compassion child, or file your income taxes honestly and on time? Although these are outer actions that you would expect a Christian to embody and live out, these are not actions exclusive to Christians.

Instead, what if it’s a combination of both outer and inner actions and attitudes? What if the evidence of being a disciple of Jesus is the presence of the following three aspects in your life?

The faithful acceptance of everyday problems
The inner presence (fruit of the Spirit) and outer evidence (gifts of the Spirit) of the Holy Spirit in your life
The regular practice of the spiritual disciplines

In Discipleship, Ministry Christianity, community, disciple, discipleship, leadership, Ministry, Missional, multi-site, multisite, Religion, thoughts, Western Church

What is a Disciple? Six Expert Views

April 7, 2013 — 3 Comments

glasses

Do you know how many times the word “Christian” occurs in the New Testament? A measly three times. On the other hand, the word “disciple” occurs 269 times. Although the term “Christian” has been watered down, and many see discipleship as an optional matter, it is clear that this is not what Jesus intended (see previous post). After all, the early disciples were called Christians because they were learners, students, and apprentices of Christ. Thus, just as “being Canadian” is a part of the identity of a Canadian citizen, “being Christian” or “being a disciple” is an identity issue.

But what exactly is a disciple? What sort of definition should we use to understand our identity?

Here are six different definitions of a disciple by experts:

In Discipleship, Ministry Christianity, community, disciple, discipleship, leadership, Ministry, multi-site, multisite, Religion, thoughts, Western Church

Where Did All the Disciples Go?

April 6, 2013 — 2 Comments

abandoned house

“There is a discipleship deficiency in most churches resulting in a lack of transformation.” This was one of many findings from the Transformational Discipleship Project that surveyed four thousand Protestants and one thousand Protestant pastors in North America. Their research revealed that pastors “know lives are being changed at some level but not with consistency from the ministries of the church.” Furthermore, the Joint Statement on Discipleship at the Eastbourne Consultation reiterated a similar statement,

“As we face the new millennium, we acknowledge that the state of the Church is marked by growth without depth. Our zeal to go wider has not been matched by a commitment to go deeper.”

Why is there such a great disparity between the magnificent life of Jesus and his early followers with the present state of Christians today? Why is there such a dearth of disciples within the Church? Where did they all go?

In Discipleship, Ministry Christianity, community, disciple, discipleship, leadership, Ministry, multi-site, multisite, Religion, thoughts, Western Church

Multi-Site Churches and Discipleship: A Contradiction?

April 4, 2013 — Leave a comment

“Multi-site Churches Are from the Devil“ was the headline of a blog post written by Thabiti Anyabwile on the Gospel Coalition website. In his blog post, he defends that statement by explaining how “video multi-site tends to idolatry, pride, and self-promotion – even where the ambition of spreading the gospel is genuine.” He also argues, amongst many other things, that “multi-site churches reduce the family, body, and flock to an anonymous assembly” and essentially changes the nature of the church into an assembly, rather than a group of disciples on mission.

There are many objections to multi-site, even by way of scrolling through the 250+ comments of Anyabwile’s blog post, we quickly discover that there are legitimate arguments on both sides.

According to A Multi-Site Church Roadtrip, the objections can be summed up into these five categories:

Preachers don’t know people personally
Churches are just following the latest fads and trends
Multi-sites make church into a show
There are going to be negative outcomes
Multi-sites fail to make disciples (this is the objection that is most relevant to this post)

In Discipleship, Ministry, Multi-Site & Church Planting Christianity, community, disciple, discipleship, leadership, Ministry, multi-site, multisite, Religion, thoughts, Western Church

Book Review: Exiles: Living Missionally – Michael Frost

January 27, 2013 — Leave a comment

Michael Frost is the vice principal of Morling College, the founding director of the Tinsley Institute, the co-founder of the Forge Mission Training Network, and an author of several books, including The Shaping of Things to Come. He is a leading voice in the missional church movement and an internationally recognized Australian missiologist.

The thesis of Exiles is that following Christ in today’s world requires a critique of and departure from the culture of Christendom and the greater empire. In order to do that, Frost exhorts his readers to embrace their identity as exiles living on foreign soil – “as a pesky, fringe dwelling alternative to the dominant forces of our times” (10). This is a book that will empower all Christians to embrace a Christ-centered faith that is lived out through a missional lifestyle in the everyday rhythms of life. Continue Reading…

In Books, Discipleship, Ministry, Multi-Site & Church Planting book review, books, Culture, Faith, life, Ministry, Missional, Religion, thoughts, Western Church

A New Form of Community?

April 26, 2012 — Leave a comment

In the 1960s, Edward T. Hall developed a theory based on the relationship between space, culture, community, and belonging. His research is becoming increasingly important for us as we discern how to better engage in community.

After all, the biblical mandate for us is to be in community, but what does that actually look like? The wineskins can change, can’t they?

Public Space (50+ people present) - Our weekend gathering or a sporting event is what the public space looks like. You belong, you are part of a community, you somewhat get to know those around you, but there is not much of an opportunity to really get to know others.
Social Space (20-50 people present) - This is a party-like environment where we are safe to decide who we would like to grow a deeper relationship with. It’s big enough that a newcomer won’t feel like they’re the centre of attention, yet it’s small enough that no one will fall through the cracks. It’s big enough that everyone will find someone to connect with, but it’s small enough that meaningful conversation can take place, without it being uncomfortable. You belong, you are part of a community, and it’s a safe place to take that next step.
Personal Space (8-12 people present) - This is the typical small group environment, where you intentionally are connecting with others to go deeper, share life together, pray with one another, and allow yourself to be known. Private information is shared, but this isn’t the place where you are completely vulnerable and baring your whole soul.
Intimate Space ( 1-3 people present) - This is an environment that you let only a few people into. It could be a spouse, a best friend, or an accountability group. This is an environment where nothing is held back and there is a lot of intentionality in sharpening one another, being accountable to one another, and being intentional in community.

In churches, we have been very intentional with the public and personal space, and sometimes with the intimate space, but not really with the social space.

In Discipleship, Mid-Size Communities, Ministry Church, edward t hall, Groups, small group, small groups, social space, Spirituality, thoughts, Western Church