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As a well known TV advert puts it, it is ‘simples’.
Like many great definitions it has the beauty of simplicity, it is clear, precise and easy to remember, but, and it is a big but, how do we do it?
For a church to draw people to Christ it has to clearly demonstrate what it is like to be a people that have been drawn to Christ. That is why I want to focus on the second part of C S Lewis’ statement, i.e. ‘and make them Christ like’, because it is when we look like Christ that we are best able to draw people to Him.
To set out on a journey to become more like Christ is called by many ‘discipleship’. Which it is, but be careful that you do not focus so much on discipleship and discipleship techniques and methods that you lose sight of its only purpose which is to become more Christ like. That is the reason I always put the aim of discipleship first (to grow to be like Christ) and potential means second.
So knowing why discipleship is necessary for the church, we come up against another misconception or wrong point of focus. Following society’s lead many well meaning church folk have focused more on themselves (individualism) than community. Sure the church helps and encourages individuals with their individual Christian discipleship.
So when I refer to discipleship I mean discipleship in community, which will have more impact upon the world than my own individual, private discipleship self improving programme.
Think and pray about the following definition of discipleship in community, and how a community and its constituent individuals become more Christ like. Ponder on the need for our own local Christian community to be more Christ like and what St John’s might look like if we did. The gospels will give you a pretty good idea and of course the book of Acts. But more on that another time.
A Definition of Discipleship
Discipleship, in the Christian community, is not primarily about individual journeying, but about being transformed, alongside others, into the likeness of Christ in order to model a new world order, a way of human living making visible the God who is love. The call to discipleship is about being part of a community with this task.
The curriculum of discipleship development includes personal and community growth in spiritual awareness and practice, knowledge and expression of Christian belief, and awareness of and engagement with God’s world.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Dennis
To draw people to Christ and make them Christ like
