| Shortly before his ascension, Jesus said to his disciples, “Go and make disciples of all nations…” This commission has been given to all of his disciples, individually and corporately, even to those living in the twenty-first century. Being a disciple requires two components: a growing relationship with the Creator and a willingness to use gifts, talents, and resources to lead and help others to become disciples of Jesus Christ. Therefore, having the Great Commandment and the Great Commission as the driving force, disciples do not only hear the Word but they strive toward patterning their lives after Jesus by adopting his mission.; Today, Christian discipleship is taught by many churches as “the biblical way to make new converts into mature Christians, and eventually into disciplemakers themselves.”1 However, this teaching is not always exemplified in the real life of churches; rather, discipleship is treated as one of the many programs churches offer to the members. 2 Consequently, once known as a Christian nation to many foreign countries, now the Untied States has 235 million non-Christians and 80 to 85 percent of churches are either plateaued or in decline.3; The central purpose of “Disciple-Making Congregations” is to illustrate the importance of on-going discipleship, balancing the elements of deepening, equipping, and ministering, as the ultimate mission of individual Christians and the church. Part One contains the meaning and implications of discipleship, reflecting on literal interpretations of contemporary Christian leaders and exploring different views from the Bible. In Part Two, a practical guide that can be used in any local church with minimal modification is presented. This guide is included not to imply that this is a complete teaching guide in disciple-making but the compilation illustrates how one can optimize a teaching opportunity by emphasizing “discipleship” as an on-going experience. Part Two also includes effective disciple-making models that are implemented by other churches in America. Part Three comprises the conclusion of this study, considering how the process of the study in the “Disciple-Making Congregations” has already contributed and will continue to influence the author's future ministry.; 1Ron and Vick Burks, Damaged Disciples (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 12. 2Dan Spader and Gary Mayes. Growing a Healthy Church (Chicago: Moody Press, 1991). 3Bill Peel, “Everyday Missionaries: God's Game Plan for Evangelism,” 21 January 2004. [www.pastors.com], and Aubrey Malphurs, Strategy 2000 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2000), 20. |
