Intentional Disciples:

I got to go to a conference our denomination offered this month in Florida and I wanted to share some of my experiences for you all. I plan to share more later, but this can serve as a little preview. For those who are wondering, it was only warm for half a day, then we all needed to bundle up again. The folks from Florida in particular were struggling with this cold that had blown down from the North (sometimes blaming us Northern pastors for bringing the cold with us). Anyways, the conference was called Multiply. It was all about how we as followers of Jesus and churches can multiply disciples, multiply leaders, and multiply churches. It's no secret the church in North America has faced a crisis, losing members and churches slowly and steadily for a couple decades. The Christian Reformed Church has been no exception. So what do we do about this church and membership crisis?

Fortunately, the Holy Spirit has also shown some incredible bright spots. A recent Barna study revealed a major shift in the younger generations returning to regular church attendance. There are lots of cultural factors that appear to have contributed to this movement, but based off the stories we heard at the conference, the churches that are growing the most (spiritually and in number) don't wait for others to come to them--they intentionally make disciples.

Paul writes to Timothy in 2 Tim 2:2, "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others."

Do you see the multiplication of disciples? Paul teaching Timothy to entrust to reliable people who will also be able to teach others. As someone who grew up in church and sat in the pew every week, I learned a lot and grew in my faith. Worship was important. But what helped me grow the most--and ultimately what led me to consider going to seminary--was someone who intentionally discipled me. He met with me regularly, we read the Bible together, we prayed together, he asked me about the important things in my life and how my spiritual life was going. He challenged me to take steps of faith I didn't think I was quite ready for yet. What was most impactful though, was not just that he was mentoring me, but he was actually helping me mentor others too. That is the key to multiplication. It's one thing to add more people who are growing. It's another to equip them to help other people grow too. If someone helps me grow, and I help someone else grow, and they help someone else grow, suddenly that first intentional discipling effort has resulted in generations of disciples who make more disciples.

As a pastor, there is no shortage of opportunities to help people grow as disciples. Premarital counseling is an opportunity to disciple a couple preparing for marriage. Visits are an opportunity to disciple others. Working with our staff and other leaders is an opportunity to disciple others. But my goal is to intentionally disciple a few people who will be able to disciple others also. How about the rest of us? Discipleship is not just for the leaders of the church. We are collectively called to make disciples of all nations. We can all intentionally mentor someone in the faith of Jesus Christ. Sometimes it's scheduled meetings to talk over coffee, sometimes it's inviting others into your discipleship life. I've seen maturing believers intentionally calling others to encourage them in their faith. I've seen men inviting other men to join Bible studies and helping guide them as they seek and ask questions. I've seen mothers inviting young women into their homes to see what Christian parenting looks like. It's those intentional conversations that are helping others grow as disciples who disciple others.

Who can each of us intentionally disciple today?