I’m glad that this last post was helpful. I think discipleship is the proverbial elephant in the room that no one talks about. I thought that even the latest issue of Enrichment on Discipleship missed the boat a bit as it seemed to equate it to church membership, baptism, and the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Although we do need measurable goals, I think to end here is missing the big idea. Discipleship is at its center the expansion of the kingdom. Those who are reached will undoubtedly require training and thus the Great Commission will be completed. Those who disciple will continue to be challenged as they search for answers to real life issues in the pages of the Bible.

However, the key is to have a constant influx of disciples into community. Not having this will cause us to continue to focus on high-back chairs and coffee shops. The need for new disciples requires us to take an interest in those who do not know Christ, to reflect the mission of the Master, “to seek and save that which was lost.” We must constantly challenge ourselves to this end and focus ourselves on this task. The rest, our buildings, programs, and even our statistics will, as the Bible says, be added to us.

Nicely done. I enjoyed this article quite a bit. Really hit home. I don’t have too many non-Christian friends . . . well, actually, I don’t have too many Christian friends, either — mostly just acquaintances (few deep friendships). But this was inspiring. Thanks.

But anyway, here’s another topic coming to light in the U.S. I did a story on tithing for AG News…long story short, people are getting tired of giving their money to the church so it can purchase big screen TVs, high-backed conference-room chairs and serve lattes from its own coffee shop. So instead of tithe/money going to the church, it’s now starting to go to organizations that are concerned about people with real needs . . . and you know, judging by the headlines, that list of people in need is going to explode here in the next few month. If the church focused on meeting needs, sharing the gospel message and discipleship instead of being consumed with creating some “country club/entertainment” atmosphere, I think we’d see a church filled with deeply committed Christians instead of fair-weather fans whose faith is based upon having their physical “wants” met rather than their spiritual needs…not that I have an opinion on this or anything. : ) Take care, Dave, and keep up the good words and works!

Dan