Recently I have been thinking about discipleship. This is because in the job I do I get fairly excited about those who come to faith but massively passionate about disciples. This is partly because since I started looking into youth work I have had Matthew 28:19 imprinted in my mind (and heart). Jesus clearly instructs us to make disciples in all nations not just convert them. There are two things that I have been wrestling with when working for Christian youth work organisations that are not assigned to, or part of, a local church.
When someone converts where do they go?
I love local church and do my best to support them, however when you have one young person come to Christ and there are 6 churches in one area how do you help the young person choose a church they would like to attend and be nurtured in and how do you do it without seemingly supporting one church with favour to the others? It’s easy to slate the church saying its stuffy, old fashioned irrelevant. However I feel the church (meaning the whole church) is great and beautiful. The only issue I have really found is one which comes out of something good. The church is great at looking after its own so when someone is converted that isn't part of the existing Church, most people ask how do we integrate them into church? I really don't like the word integrate, it speaks of shaping and moulding a person into the ways of the church (the way we do things round here). The God I know wants us to understand that we are made in the image of God. Calling us to participate in the body of the church, bringing the gifts and talents God has given us and utilising them in such a way that edifies the church and glorifies God.
Secondly, because discipleship is what I see as my calling (work) how do I do it with friends and family?
I have lots of family who think I am crazy for doing this job but they still need to know the lord. After I have been at work all day or at the end of the week when I call my mum how do I disciple her when all I feel like is having an easy nice chat not one that makes me do my “work” with family. It’s easy to give one liners or tell a story of what God has done with someone but to actually disciple family and friends is hard. Even more so when its these relationships I go to for rest comfort and being looked after.
When someone converts where do they go?
I love local church and do my best to support them, however when you have one young person come to Christ and there are 6 churches in one area how do you help the young person choose a church they would like to attend and be nurtured in and how do you do it without seemingly supporting one church with favour to the others? It’s easy to slate the church saying its stuffy, old fashioned irrelevant. However I feel the church (meaning the whole church) is great and beautiful. The only issue I have really found is one which comes out of something good. The church is great at looking after its own so when someone is converted that isn't part of the existing Church, most people ask how do we integrate them into church? I really don't like the word integrate, it speaks of shaping and moulding a person into the ways of the church (the way we do things round here). The God I know wants us to understand that we are made in the image of God. Calling us to participate in the body of the church, bringing the gifts and talents God has given us and utilising them in such a way that edifies the church and glorifies God.
Secondly, because discipleship is what I see as my calling (work) how do I do it with friends and family?
I have lots of family who think I am crazy for doing this job but they still need to know the lord. After I have been at work all day or at the end of the week when I call my mum how do I disciple her when all I feel like is having an easy nice chat not one that makes me do my “work” with family. It’s easy to give one liners or tell a story of what God has done with someone but to actually disciple family and friends is hard. Even more so when its these relationships I go to for rest comfort and being looked after.
Ant Stevens
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