21st Century Discipleship

Stethoscope

A B C of church lifeAttendanceBuildingsCashDiscipleshipEvangelism

DiscipleshipThe challenge to Fresh Expressions.

The challenge from Fresh Expressions.

“Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

“Go and make disciples of all nations……”

This is Discipleship

Discipleship

• Your reactions to the video clip?

Discipleship

What are the key qualities of discipleship?

Discipleship

Bishop Moon Hing of Malaysia:FAT Christians

FAITHFULAVAILABLETEACHABLE

(“fat” in Chinese means “growth and multiplication and prosperity)

What, if anything, would you want to add?

D = F x L

Jesus and the disciples

F x L

Jesus and the disciples

D =C

Discipleship“Following Jesus by belonging to a learning spiritual community and becoming more like Him.“

• The essence of discipleship is following Jesus.• The ultimate aim is to become more like Jesus• We need to be learning – gaining more

understanding (not necessarily knowledge) and growing gifts.

• This is done in community, not alone.• Our spiritual walk with God must be deepening,

both personal and corporate.

DiscipleshipGrowing congregations are filled with disciples instead of volunteers. The big issue, when we volunteer, is that we set the agenda-when, how much, where, and what it is we will volunteer for. We are not tied down to anything or anyone. The person in charge (who is usually paid) often treats volunteers like royalty-tip- toes around mistakes, and finds it hard to hold volunteers accountable. The volunteer, ultimately, controls the situation.

The church is NOT a "volunteer organization." Jesus calls us disciples. There is a difference. When you are a disciple you don't give up your time. You realize that you possess (or own) no time of your own. God created you, gave you life and time in this life. So it is His time.

We are not volunteers, to do what we want and to come and go as we wish. The church is the body of Christ called to discipleship. In baptism we are freed from the power of sin, death, and the devil, and we are freed from idolatry of self. To be freed from self is to be open for call. To be open for call is truly to be open to God.

What would the church be like if we were to see ourselves as disciples rather than volunteers? Disciples are more committed than loyal. Disciples act without regard for admiration or recognition. They don't want their name on a plaque. Their reward (in heaven!) is great enough.

A disciple's glory is always directed toward God.

G. Allan Kerr. Retired priest of the Diocese

Discipleship

Luke 5The invitation “come” is to us all.

Matthew 28. Go and Lo.

It’s the “Lo” that makes the impossible mandate possible.

Cardboard Testimonies