What is the primary organizing structure of your Church? Is it the gathering--the weekend worship service? Is it your small groups/community groups/etc.?
If Jesus commission to us is to "go make disciples," should the primary organizing structure for the called out people of God be the weekend gathering? Should these small groups of the family of God primarily be the organizing principle of the church to make disciples who make disciples?
OR, should JESUS be the primary, centering, organizing principle for the gathered and scattered church?
It is amazing how little we make of Jesus in our gatherings. Do we believe Jesus is good news for everything? If we had a better understanding of how Jesus is good news for our friends, neighbors, relationships, etc.we may make mention of HIM more often. Jesus says, "if you will be my disciples, then, you will know the truth and the truth will set you free."
Discipleship then becomes inviting people to walk with us in the ways of Jesus. THEN, as they walk in the ways of Jesus, the good news of Jesus is applied to all of life and they become a Jesus follower.
The journey would be:
acquaintance, to follower of you, follower of you in community with others, follower of the ways of Jesus, to maker of other followers.
So, here is some guidance on how to form a gathered and scattered community called the Church:
These communities--families--should be:
1. Jesus centered - Jesus is the good news.
2. Community oriented - Doing Jesus life with others.
3. Mission directed - it is not about me, but it is about me, apart of the community, making disciples of
those who are not yet following Jesus.
Life-on-life Life-in-Community Life-on-Mission = disciple making
Centered in Jesus is key. And from this, we move to community and to mission.
If Jesus commission to us is to "go make disciples," should the primary organizing structure for the called out people of God be the weekend gathering? Should these small groups of the family of God primarily be the organizing principle of the church to make disciples who make disciples?
OR, should JESUS be the primary, centering, organizing principle for the gathered and scattered church?
It is amazing how little we make of Jesus in our gatherings. Do we believe Jesus is good news for everything? If we had a better understanding of how Jesus is good news for our friends, neighbors, relationships, etc.we may make mention of HIM more often. Jesus says, "if you will be my disciples, then, you will know the truth and the truth will set you free."
Discipleship then becomes inviting people to walk with us in the ways of Jesus. THEN, as they walk in the ways of Jesus, the good news of Jesus is applied to all of life and they become a Jesus follower.
The journey would be:
acquaintance, to follower of you, follower of you in community with others, follower of the ways of Jesus, to maker of other followers.
So, here is some guidance on how to form a gathered and scattered community called the Church:
These communities--families--should be:
1. Jesus centered - Jesus is the good news.
2. Community oriented - Doing Jesus life with others.
3. Mission directed - it is not about me, but it is about me, apart of the community, making disciples of
those who are not yet following Jesus.
Life-on-life Life-in-Community Life-on-Mission = disciple making
Centered in Jesus is key. And from this, we move to community and to mission.
No comments:
Post a Comment