I think most of us have heard of E and C Christians.
Those who attend church twice a year ~ Easter and Christmas.
Lately I have been thinking (keep thinking Butch) about E and T churches.
As some Christians seem to focus on Easter and Christmas to engage with a local church, so do some Churches seem to inordinately focus on Events and Teaching to engage people who regularly attend to help them become disciples of Jesus.
Incredible Events and excellent Teaching will almost always attract more and more people ~ fill the room. Who wouldn’t want to come and listen to a nationally, or better yet, internationally known Christian speaker who has amazing podcasts, best selling books and leads a large successful church?
Couple this was some of the one of the best Christian artists and worship leaders and you have the perfect combination to fill the room. Additionally. throw a party with lots of food, music and games for the kids and people will show up. Who doesn’t like to go to a party?
But, is that what we truly want? Is this what Jesus wants…really?
As a friend of mine use to say, most churches only want to see butts in the seats and bucks in the bank~Noses and Nickels.
I fear that “Discipleship” is becoming an endangered species and that we have come to believe (in practice) that filling the room to experience excellent teaching and have an incredible worship experience is synonymous with making disciples.
It isn’t and I believe was never intended to be.
We need more in our churches than amazing Sundays. More of what is really important should happen between Sundays, not only on Sundays, especially so since the trend is that even dedicated Christians (for a variety of reasons) do not attend every Sunday. But the same amount of money, time, and preparation needed is the same regardless of how many show up.
Here are a few Questions to prayerfully ponder:
In your opinion:
- Which is considered the most important event in the weekly calendar at your church at which all are strongly encouraged to attend?
- Which event at your church takes the most money and planning to pull off successfully every week?
- Which event at your church will give you the best results of multiplying disciples?
- Which event at your church has the most volunteers and staff engaged every week?
I just can’t escape Matthew 28, Jesus’ last words to his disciples. It wasn’t about filling buildings and banks, but filling the world with multiplying disciples.
“Jesus came and told his disciples, I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore go and make disciple of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. ~Matthew 28:18-20 NLT
I have a book note at www.davekraft.org on the different ways churches approach making disciples. It’s both enlightening and disturbing.
If you’re not afraid to have your mind and believes messed with, please read this!
Discipleship That Fits
I realize I’m stirring the pot on this post. That’s what I feel called to do:
To Stir and Stretch!
I’d Love to hear back from you on this post. Agree or feel free to challenge me or push back on anything I’ve said here.
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