As we drove back home from the training, Adam and I discussed the heavy challenge impressed upon us:
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." - Jesus (Matt 28:19-20)
Clearly most any pair of budding missionaries would agree that this is part of the job description. But what are disciples? And how are they made?
The two of us just finished MetaCamp's module 1. MetaCamp is an actual place in Alabama where master church planter Curtis Sergeant rebuilt a camp for discipleship training. Module 1 naturally begins with lessons in "How to Become and Make Disciples." Fortunately we didn't have to fly to Alabama for the week. Curtis instead came out and spent a few days training out of a home in Thousand Oaks.
The training began with and hinged on a tough lesson on what kind of disciple God wants to recreate. If we consider ourselves disciples of Jesus, how well are we following the commands given to us? How do we measure against other men and women of faith in scripture? Are our lives characterized by immediate, radical, costly obedience as their lives are?
The church in the West often avoids these questions. Our emphasis is on our belief that Jesus is Lord and that proper doctrine surrounding this belief is carefully guarded. Because we profess that salvation is by faith alone, we often fail to take seriously how well we are conforming to His likeness. Who cares after all? Surely our names are already written in the book of life.
"You believe that God is one; you do well. [But] even the demons believe -- and shudder." (James 2:19)
I believe there is something in each of us who have accepted this great gift that knows our faith cannot end with right belief. The rest of the world knows it also. I mean sure, the gift is free, it costs us nothing. But it cost Him everything! How can we consequently persist in our selfish ways? On what grounds can we now trivialize the instructions handed down?
As it turns out, according to the testimony of church planters everywhere, we can't ignore Jesus' commands if we are to succeed in making disciples. God doesn't desire to reproduce mediocrity. He wants disciples like Jesus who are willing to leave everything and follow Him. The world doesn't cry out for a new philosophy as it does for transformation and love.
The rest of the training proceeded with possible tools to help us improve our obedience in loving God, loving one another and declaring His love for the world. These are not minor tasks. They require His Spirit and lead. And they are best attempted together in community.
So though the two of us felt overwhelmed with the reminder of the clear and urgent tasks set before us, there was excitement over the new ideas to improve our obedience -- for the sake of ourselves, our neighbors and the world!
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." - Jesus (Matt 28:19-20)
Clearly most any pair of budding missionaries would agree that this is part of the job description. But what are disciples? And how are they made?
The two of us just finished MetaCamp's module 1. MetaCamp is an actual place in Alabama where master church planter Curtis Sergeant rebuilt a camp for discipleship training. Module 1 naturally begins with lessons in "How to Become and Make Disciples." Fortunately we didn't have to fly to Alabama for the week. Curtis instead came out and spent a few days training out of a home in Thousand Oaks.
The training began with and hinged on a tough lesson on what kind of disciple God wants to recreate. If we consider ourselves disciples of Jesus, how well are we following the commands given to us? How do we measure against other men and women of faith in scripture? Are our lives characterized by immediate, radical, costly obedience as their lives are?
The church in the West often avoids these questions. Our emphasis is on our belief that Jesus is Lord and that proper doctrine surrounding this belief is carefully guarded. Because we profess that salvation is by faith alone, we often fail to take seriously how well we are conforming to His likeness. Who cares after all? Surely our names are already written in the book of life.
"You believe that God is one; you do well. [But] even the demons believe -- and shudder." (James 2:19)
I believe there is something in each of us who have accepted this great gift that knows our faith cannot end with right belief. The rest of the world knows it also. I mean sure, the gift is free, it costs us nothing. But it cost Him everything! How can we consequently persist in our selfish ways? On what grounds can we now trivialize the instructions handed down?
As it turns out, according to the testimony of church planters everywhere, we can't ignore Jesus' commands if we are to succeed in making disciples. God doesn't desire to reproduce mediocrity. He wants disciples like Jesus who are willing to leave everything and follow Him. The world doesn't cry out for a new philosophy as it does for transformation and love.
The rest of the training proceeded with possible tools to help us improve our obedience in loving God, loving one another and declaring His love for the world. These are not minor tasks. They require His Spirit and lead. And they are best attempted together in community.
So though the two of us felt overwhelmed with the reminder of the clear and urgent tasks set before us, there was excitement over the new ideas to improve our obedience -- for the sake of ourselves, our neighbors and the world!
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