Rev. Andrew Mills reflects on the difference between encouraging people to "make a decision for Jesus" ( in and of itself a good thing!) and making disciples.
As we approach "Back to Church Sunday" we might ask the same questions about the difference between encouraging people to come to church and be part of the church ( again, in and of itself a good thing) and the process of making disciples.
Our Mission Statement is "To know Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, to make Him known". Knowing Jesus Christ and making him known is a lifelong process of discovery and deepening relationships. It involves both being and making disciples.
So our motto might be "Being disciples, who are making disciples"!
What do you think about what Pastor Andrew has to say?
DISCIPLE MAKING RATHER THAN DECISION MAKING
Mother Teresa wrote this:
You, in the West, have the spirituality poorest of the poor much more than you have the physically poor. Often among the rich are very spiritually poor people. I find it easy to give a plate of rice to a hungry person, to furnish a bed to a person who has no bed, but to console or to remove the bitterness, anger and loneliness that comes from being spiritually deprived, that takes a long time.
I think that this is true and deep. Being spiritually deprived leads to anger, bitterness, and loneliness. And changing that reality doesn?t happen through a tract, it doesn?t happen through one conversation, it doesn?t happen through one big event. Changing that reality takes time, commitment, conversation, and, most of all, Jesus Christ.
I?ve often said that we here are much more interested in people becoming disciples of Jesus, rather than just making decisions about Jesus. Making disciples takes a while. It means addressing people?s spiritual deprivation, their hurt, anger, bitterness, and loneliness. It means being Jesus to them over the long haul. Not just a few weeks, but months, and years.
So here is my question for you: who are you committing to long-term?
It?s not just about giving someone a plate of rice. It?s about giving a plate of rice each week, sitting down for conversation, for connection and for a shared commitment. So that?s my question, who are you committing to be there with, watching, hoping, and expecting Jesus to become real in their life.
Because remember we?re here to make disciples, not just help people make decisions?