"Going to Church" is Not "THE" Pathway to Discipleship

After being gone six out of the last eight weeks, most of that being in India, it was so good to be back home for the corporate gathering of the people called Granger Community Church.

The extended time away created space and perspective to see some things a bit more clearly. I'll start unpacking and processing that here over the next few posts.  Key word: processing. I'm thinking out loud and would love your perspective.  Here goes...

"Going to Church" is not "the" pathway to discipleship.

 

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." 

                                                     Matthew 28:18-20

"Make disciples" came AFTER Jesus said "GO " not BEFORE.  The pathway to discipleship is not in a church building, but "out there" on mission in the world.

People who "do" church still think that most spiritual formation/transformation happens at a service or class "at" church. 

People who "are" the church embrace the uncomfortable reality that most spiritual formation/transformation MUST happen and can only happen at home, at work, and on mission in the world while serving others, especially the poor and lost.

Gathering with other believers at a campus/building is one of the vital spiritual practices that we build are lives around.  It is necessary and critical.  Our corporate gatherings are an indispensable catalyst.  Last weekend here at GCC was amazing and life-changing.

It is, however, ONE practice. Just one.

Virtually every other spiritual practice vital to being a disciple of Jesus must happen (and indeed, happens best) in the other environments: home, work, and on mission in the world to the poor and lost.

If my spiritual practices become "church building centric," then I become a great Christian while I am at church, but not so much so anywhere else.

I hate to say it, but that last sentence  may describe much of American Christianity.

Jesus intention was never for his followers  to be great Christian at church, but to be great Christians...to BE the Church at home, at work, and on mission in the world serving the poor and the lost.

The pathway for discipleship is being the Church in the World.

Thoughts?

Comments

[Sherry]

You are exactly right. So many so called chritians live Godly in front of church then when they are in their world you can't tell them apart because of their words and deeds. We must start coming apart from the world if we ever intend to be a whitness to the lost world we live in. They have to see something different in us that they want or they will never listen and the church as a whole gets a bad rap.

[Joshua Jones]

I know that I did this for years and it's no wonder that I never seemed to grow in my relationship with Jesus. Church on Sunday and that was about it. If we were to hang out with our families for an hour a week you can imagine what our relationships with them would look like, and yet we expect different with our Lord and Savior? It's madness. Now I love church because it is a rejuvenation from the week and it equips me to go into the world and hopefully be an effective witness.

[Rindy Walton]

AMEN!!

[skoutz]

It is interesting that you blogged about this comment because I had a very similar conversation today on our prayer journey. I've been with Impact Ministries International praying over South Bend and its college campuses. Pretty amazing stuff!

[Becky Bontreger]

The past few generations have given the impression that bringing people to Christ meant bringing them to the church building so the Pastor could show them the way to become a Christian. And then, becoming a Christian meant becoming like the people who attended that church. It has left the "church" feeling very intimidated when it comes to personal mission. There is fear and feelings of inadequacy in, "what should I DO" to lead people to Christ. There is freedom in realizing we just have to BE. Looking to Be is much better than trying to Do. If we are Being the church, the pathway is much clearer for those who need to find their way.