What is a Disciple?

This is a core question, isn't it?

It's a term that we toss around all the time. There has been some indication here and elsewhere that not everybody has the same idea of what it means to be a disciple.

I'm curious whether or not we are basically on the same page here, or whether there is a wide divergence.

Our mission is supposed to involve making 'more and better disciples.'

Jesus commanded his disciples to go and make disciples.

So, what is a disciple?

In a followup post, we'll talk more about how one is made.

I'll post my own thoughts in a comment. I'd really like to hear several people weigh in on this. If you're a blog reader but haven't posted, consider jumping in on this one.

Defining Discipleship

hey family,
so one of the things that i've heard recently on here, is that we have a real problem with our mission of making disciples, since we haven't really defined that. so here's my crack at it, in the form of commentary on the "great commission", Matt. 8:18-20.

"Jesus came and said to them, “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

if you look at the greek, the only active verb in verse 19 is matheteuw, make disciples. the other 3 verbs (going, baptizing, and teaching) are all participles, which i think means Jesus sees them as 3 parts of disciple making.


1) go: Jesus seems to assume that the disciples will go. i've heard some scholars translate this as "having gone", that going out is a foregone conclusion in Jesus' mind. this first part is us not only reaching out, but going out, putting ourselves out into the mess of this broken world and meeting people where they're at. this is where recent terms like "incarnational ministry" and "being missional" come from. book could be, and have been, written on going out and reaching the lost, but i'll leave it there for now, as simply going to the "them" of the world.


2) baptize: as i've studied the Scriptures, it amazes me how closely the apostles tie salvation and baptism together. they almost use them interchangeably, like in Gal. 3:27, Col. 2:12 and Rom. 6:3-4. God uses this symbol to impress upon us the union with Christ, His death and resurrection, that we have through faith. and it is written, "faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ" (Rom. 10:17) so this is about people coming to saving faith in Christ, being united with Him, and professing that publicly. as a command to Christians, this is about proclaiming the Gospel.


3) teach: if the last part is what modern evangelicalism calls "evangelism", this is what it calls "discipleship". however, i think both of these terms are false, in that evangelism and discipleship are the same. it is a myth that the Gospel is "Christianity 101", something that is basic and mastered and then moved past, and equally unBiblical is the notion that Christians don't need to hear the Gospel.

paul writes in to the Christians in rome, "i am eager to preach the Gospel to you also who are in rome." he's eager to evangelize (euangelizw) the Christians! because while non-Christians need to hear the Gospel in order to come to Christ in the first, Christians need to understand the depths of the Gospel and how it transforms a life, how it becomes a lifestyle. that's why almost all of paul's letters start out with an unpacking of certain aspects of the God's ways and His redemptive history, and then he goes into application, because all of the Christian life is an application of the Gospel.

we are generous with our money, because Christ has secured our ultimate Treasure in heaven for us. we are not obsessed with position-seeking vanity, because our identity is in Christ. we honor God in the stewardship of our bodies, our minds, our hearts, and our souls, because He has bought us at the price of Jesus' blood. we love sacrificially, because that's how our adoptive Dad has loved us, and we as His adopted sons want to be like our Father. i could go on and on, but you get the idea.


4) don't forget verses 18 and 20. we make disciples, because Christ has all authority, and He's commanding us to do this. and that authority is also our bedrock. when things look worse, we know Christ has all authority over all things, and that it is His will that we make disciples. He will see this through. we have a divine promise: "I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. so there will be one flock, one Shepherd." (John 10:16) it is a sure thing, for "there will be one flock, one Shepherd." not maybe, not possibly, but surely there will be, this will come to pass.

and secondly, He's with us. both joshua of the OT and the hebrews of the NT are comforted by the words "I will never leave you nor forsaken you." (Jos. 1:5, Heb. 13:5)

Christ repeats these promises to comfort paul in corinth. "the Lord said to paul one night in a vision, 'do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are My people.'" (Acts 18:9-10) Jesus was with him in his disciple-making, and was making sure it happens, because, as far as i understand it, the "My people" Jesus is referring to are not yet believers. and paul, being so encouraged, "stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them." (v.11)



now i know this is simplistic, and will continue being fleshed out for til Christ comes back. but i think a pretty good, brief definition of discipleship, for our purposes, would be "going into the world with Jesus to proclaim His Gospel and teach His commands to His people by His authority."

i would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Measurable Values of a Disciple

I just returned from the Right Now Conference in Dallas, TX. As we have been talking about core values and mission statements, here is their mission statement and four measurables to define what success would look like.

Mission Statement -- Our Mission is to help people trade in the pursuit of the American Dream for a work that desperately needs Christ.

A Trader is a new kind of missionary, not defined by geography, but defined by a resolve to...

Choose Daily to sacrifice our time and money to apply The Parable of the Good Samaritan and to "go and do likewise."

Hate Injustice and find specific ways to bring the hope found in Jesus to desperate situations.

Work as Worship because God is glorified when we use our God-given passions and skills with excellence.

Act Swiftly because the time is Right Now!

I sat in on a breakout led by Will Mancini (www.willmancini.com, www.churchunique.com. He is a clarity evangelist and wants us to all have precise clarity about why our individual church exists. He helped Right Now develop these statements. He lays it all out in Church Unique.

Here's my question for discussion: Do you agree that an individual church should have a unique existence and calling? Why don't many churches have such clarity?

Organic Discipleship

In the Missional Leadership Initiative in the CGGC, we are finishing out the first year of a two year process.

We are currently being challenged very heavily to "change the scorecard."

This has proven to be a more challenging task than I expected. It is a fact that at our church, The Crossover, we count two things --
1. Do you attend the Sunday morning service?
2. Do you attend a home group?

My desire is that The Crossover be about two very focused things --
1. Find ways to introduce people to Jesus Christ.
2. Create regular discipleship opportunities for people who know Jesus (and maybe even for those who don't)

So we are finding that what we are counting isn't creating our desired intentions for people. We have a lot of questions we need to be asking ourselves. Again I will give two.
1. In what context would it be our best opportunity to introduce people to Jesus? And then how can we count the people who take this opportunity to share and the number of people who respond positively?
2. How do we define a disciple? What should be the expectations of a disciple? And then how can we count people who meet these expectations?

As Bill looks for a model to implement, I think these are the two key questions that must be answered before we create a model.

Church Advocate

Though you can't tell it by the cover, the latest Church Advocate is exactly what I've been asking for. For those who don't know, the Church Advocate is the bi-monthly magazine of the Churches of God General Conference. The writers/editors have always been good, but the media has shown no vision or mission, reflecting not the writers/editors, but the denomination herself.

Born Again -- pages 2-3

Ed says on page 3, "The reason the CGGC exists (other than to glorify God) is to help churches do just that, make disciples. This happens best via a growing network of healthy reproducing churches. So, inherent in the disciple making mission is the vision for more and better churches which in turn requires more and better leaders."

A few flaws (IMHO) with Ed's Born Again article -- not sure 2025 celebration should occur at the site of Winebrenner's grave.

And he closes with "The rebirth of our CGGC mission and the realization of the vision for more and better churches will require a team of committed leaders. Here's good news. All willing players are welcome on the team." This is the shepherd's heart. Everybody should get a place at the table. But leadership requires that some be raised up and some be asked to step aside. These are the tough calls I haven't seen the CGGC make.

But overall, this is the right theme and should be the flavor of all Ed's communications.

Field Director Update

And I quote, "For example, there's a need for apostolic oversight of CGGC-USA Haitian ministries..." Did he say APOSTOLIC?!

And I like the idea of field directors as long as we don't use "All willing players are welcome on the team." To get this leadership to rise that Ed wants will require some tough love.

An Interview with Jeff Rockey, pages 6-8

A nice interview with a guy who is making smart transitions within a church. I'd actually like to hear more.

Planning for Leadership Development, page 9

Ed says, "If the purpose of the Church is to make more and better disciples, then somebody must lead the change, but not just anybody."

And "For broad based themes emerged:
1. Seek Spiritual Vitality [Is Jesus Enough?]
2. Clarify Denominational Identity
3. Release Apostolic Leadership
4. Harness Youthful Zeal"

Did he say APOSTOLIC?! Also he said, "Release." There is a recognized sense that apostolic leadership is restricted at some level in the Churches of God.

My encouragement to Ed is to heavily recruit these leaders to be developed. This is good talk, but please, please, please... make this into something more than a bumper sticker. The CGGC leadership has to be proactive to make this happen.

Ed actually makes me want to join in on this leadership development.

The rest of the magazine puts some opportunities at the end. Very well done.

Three recommendations for further Advocates.
1. The content is just right. Do it again! Mission/Vision/Practical Implementation. Ed, Lance, and Don should continue to write strong missional pieces and interviews.
2. The cover should highlight this visionary/leadership content, not "Get Ready for Summer."
3. Make the content of the Church Advocate the Home Page of www.cggc.org.

Exponential Conference Podcasts

I've started listening to the podcasts under the heading:
Audio recorded prior to the conference

Here are some podcasts and some brief notes.

Dave Ferguson - New Thing Network - Dave talks about how they planted their church. They surveyed non-Christians and tried to give them church the way they wanted it without compromising the Gospel. That of course would hinge hard on your definition of the Gospel. If the Gospel is just grace, just salvation, just "getting saved" then this would be an excellent model. But if the Gospel includes justice and service and humbleness, then it might not be a good model.

Ferguson is a sharp guy and while I don't want to model a church exactly as he does it, it would be a mistake to not listen carefully. He talks about the essentials of coaching, not just the pastor but all church leaders and gives the five questions most used by coaches.

1. How are you doing? (Relational question)
2. What are your current challenges?
3. What are you going to do about it? (Teach them to solve their own problems.)
4. How can I help you?
5. How can I pray for you?

When is the last time somebody asked you those questions?

Ron Sylvia - Purpose Driven Planting - Sylvia is a church planting coach trained by Rick Warren. Sylvia made this comment right off the bat -- "A lot of coaching is just asking questions to get the planter to think through what he needs to do. That isn't what we do. We tell you what to do and hold you to it." That is NOT an exact quote but it is the jist. I do think there is a place for this. In our experience, we've let planters make all of the final decisions and we've watched them set their ministries back by doing so. But at the same time, Sylvia struck me a little too "hard charging."

Ed Stetzer - NewChurches.com - It wasn't that memorable.

Catalyst - Gabe Lyons & Brad Lomenick These two guys plan and oversee the Catalyst conference at Andy Stanley's church. It was interesting about developing a conference.

Dan Smith - Church Planter - Smith is famous for the Baby Got Book video which a lot of people thought was hilarious, and I really didn't. He's planted a church in Cleveland. It wasn't that memorable either, but if I remember, he did talk about being innovative and creative as a key to reaching the culture. Do we over emphasize this? Do we plan just so people won't get bored?

Church Planting Spouses - This is an interview with three young women whose husbands are about to plant. They are nervous and excited. It might have been better if it had a couple of women who had been in it for a while to reflect back.

Mark Batterson - National Community Church - Batterson planted a church in a movie theater. He is big on creative/innovative production. He said they have 40% turnover in their church per year, and that 85% of the people in his church have invited five or more people in the last year, which helps them to maintain their size and even growth. I thought they had some interesting things to say about what they measure.

Mark Driscoll with Ed Stetzer - For me, this was one of the better ones. Driscoll was just real honest about his faults through his time planting a church. I found it very refreshing and helpful.

More Exponential Conference Podcasts

I listened to two more podcast interviews - one with Pastor Bob Roberts and the other with Pastor Andy Stanley. If you are looking for something to engage and challenge you, I would recommend both of these 30 minute interviews. Below are links and some notes. I think I'll listen to both of them again, and make further notes in comments.

Bob Roberts -- A few years ago, I actually felt some prompting from the Holy Spirit to seek this guy out. At the time, I knew nothing about him. And he has become very influential in my thinking.

I'll have to listen again but he said traditionally, we start with the gospel, find a church planter, start a church, and look for people to convert. But Biblically and what they do in the East (think China as opposed to Philadephia) is start with the gospel, find a disciple, engage their domain (work, family, ...), and then they see a conversion within that domain. Then they start churches because they have so many Christians rather than the other way around.

This doubled my desire to emphasize discipleship over anything else.

Andy Stanley - First, I appreciated his honesty about how his church started. (Roberts too. These guys didn't make their church starts sound like the immaculate conception as I've heard other pastors do.)

Stanley talked mostly about systems, though he didn't describe any specific system in their church. If you don't have systems, you can't multiply. I first heard about systems from Steve Ogne at a CMTC Bootcamp. I had not remembered ever hearing anything like that before. The idea of systems sounded too manipulative for my closer to postmodern ears. I didn't want to "funnel" anyone into anything. But after 15 years of experience, systems don't funnel, they give opportunity, and without them, people are confused.

Glenn Smith sat with me at Texas Roadhouse and wrote out on a 'Rate our Restaurant' card three systems that every church must have. I don't have the card in front of me so I may not be using his terminology.

<-------------Prospecting - Inviting Unchurched People --------->
<-------------Assimilating - Finding a place the new person --------->
<-------------Leadership Development --------->

People jump from one system to the next, though not everyone will of course. And churches that have become the most reproductive have learned that their leaders have to come out of the other systems or else they are sterile.

Stanley said his staff read "The Fifth Discipline" early on. Also the E-Myth.

Exponential Conference

I was considering going to this conference, but it didn't work out for me, so I found some podcasts and have been giving them a listen. Some are interesting to me, and some aren't. Here are links to what I've listened to and my notes. If you listen to one, feel free to make some comments.

To download, you should right click, and then click "Save Target As". I rename them to something that makes more sense like "EXP - Greg Hawkins.mp3".

Direct link to mp3's

2008 Podcast Season
Greg Hawkins - Greg Hawkins is the executive pastor of Willow Creek, and he discusses the Reveal Study. Of all that I've listened to, this one intrigued me most (maybe cause I like math and stats) and made me want to buy the book.

Nothing he said was new, but of course, like ancient Israel, we need to be constantly reminded of "The Way."

He said the four key elements of Discipleship are (these are my descriptions of what he said, not his words):
1. A connection to the authority of Scripture
2. A connection to prayer as a skill
3. A connection to community - deeper friendships
4. A connection to a life of service

And rather than great programming, what people want is a way to deepen their connection in one of the four way areas.

He also talked about four levels of discipleship... different people are different places. Sounded like Rick Warren stuff. But also was a good reminder.

They are moving from presenting Willow practices to presenting Best practices.

Dave Ferguson - Dave is the pastor of Community Christian Church in the Chicago area. It is famous for being multi-site.

Dave talked about how multi-site was ok, but poly-site is the future. Although, he did mention that they really aren't doing it yet. Multi-site is one church, same basic format, multiple locations. Poly-site is one church, varying formats and cultural styles and organizational structures.

When asked for examples, he talked about reaching a wealthy gated community.

This may be a little mean, but Ferguson and Hawkins both are basically saying, "We've done some amazing things at our church, but we don't think this is the future. We want to teach you what the future is... and we'll tell you as soon as we figure it out."

Conference audio

Plenary Session 1 with Wayne Cordeiro - I listened to about 5 minutes. Wayne believes you. You can do it. Live the dream. Be the ball. This is the last chapter, and God put you here. Swing for the fence.

Plenary Session 2 with Ed Stetzer - Stetzer starts by interviewing a guy trying to reach the Hip Hop generation. They asked him, "How can we pray for you?" His answer: Write me a check. Stetzer instead prayed that the man would be anointed. It seemed a little odd.

Stetzer than began to give Biblical proof we need to keep the cross at the center of the Gospel. Not that I disagreed, but at Easter, I'm not in need of that reminder. At some point, you have to make a commitment of some sort to Jesus.

I stopped listening at this point.

Plenary Session 3 with Dave Ferguson - You might check my note above -- "We've done some amazing things at our church, but we don't think this is the future. We want to teach you what the future is... and we'll tell you as soon as we figure it out." Dave has no idea what to say. I gave up after they brought out hundreds of live bunnies.

One interesting thing he said as I was shutting him off - "In our small groups, we tell them to treat them like Christians until they figure out they aren't." I don't know if I agree with him, but that is a significant question.


Plenary Session 4 with Bill Hybels - Hybels talks to potential planters. Pretty inspiring. Gives some things to think about if you're going to make this sacrifice.

One thing Hybels mentions about sacrifice is that they sold tomatoes door to door to start their church, and he isn't the least bit ashamed about it. This is something planters have to understand. You must be willing to humble yourself and sacrifice more than you may expect.


The main reason I was interested in going was the Alan Hirsch and Neil Cole are going to be there. But there are no podcasts of these guys here.

Discipleship

This is THE question to me: How do we disciple people?
What are the measures of discipleship?
How does discipleship occur?
What systems do we have to move people into discipleship relationships?

Evangelism is much more effective if you have a discipleship system to move to next. Leadership is multiplied if you are pulling leaders from a discipleship system.

We have just implemented a discipleship system in our church that I am fairly satisfied with.

And it started by answering the above questions. How would you answer the above questions (not just Bill, but everyone)? I will start a new thread for this question.