I spent some time in a meeting this morning with a bunch of pastors, and was challenged once again in the area of discipleship. We went around the room and talked about what each church, represented in the room, was doing in the area of discipling people in their church - their context.

I learned that many of us have plans and programs, materials and sports themes, like going around the bases, or moving up the football field. Some churches have chosen numbers similar to course numbers in a college setting - 101,201,301...yadayada. It was obvious in many cases that a great deal of thought and effort went into this important aspect of the church. However, there were no tried and proven effective pathways. We were all wrestling with, and attempting to implement different forms of the same plan.

I came away convinced once again, that the best way to disciple people is in authentic community - safe places where people can belong before they believe. Places where they are encouraged to do life with others and be real with each other. Places where they are challenged and held accountable to mature in Christ. Places where they worship, learn, pray and serve others together. These communities can be 3 or more.

The bottom line is that growth and maturity in Christ best happens in community with others. Our corporate gatherings for worship each Sunday play a huge part of this and even serve as a resevoir that flows naturally into smaller ponds and pools, also known as community. We need the power of the Holy Spirit and we need each other. Being discipled and discipling others is not a program or class, it's a commitment to investing ourselves in other people's lives to mutually encourage growth and maturity in Christ.

Final thought from a a book entitled Sacred Romance by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge:
"From one religious camp we're told that what God wants is obedience, or sacrifice, or adherence to the right doctrines, or morality. Those are the answers offered by conservative churches. The more therapeutic churches suggest that no, God is after our contentment, or happiness, or self-actualization, or something else along those lines. He is concerned about all these things, of course, but they are not His primary concern. What He is after is us - our laughter, our dreams, our fears, our heart of hearts."

He wants all of you...not just what you're willing to give up at this point in time...all of you! I'm convinced that when you're truly a disciple of Jesus - a fully devoted follower of Christ - it is then and really only then, that you can effectively disciple others. Once you are one, you can help others become one.

Releasing my grip daily,
Dibs