The
church growth movement helped us pastors understand the church
was supposed to be making disciples, not just converts. I
always envisioned troubled people in bondage to their habitual
sins that needed a 12 step program and my church to make it. My
concept of leadership training included a large dose of
accountability to help young ministries learn to be “faithful in
that which is another man’s” by learning to serve the
leadership, laying down your own life, taking up the cross, die
to self, etc.
In fact, my whole concept of what to do
with the congregation was to equip them for the work of the
ministry. My concept of the “work” was building our particular
church so we could reach more people and make more disciples.
It seemed noble and scriptural and we had great worship, great
services, and wonderful guest speakers, but it didn’t produce or
reproduce life. In fact it got a little stagnant and its
earmark was more turnovers and transfers than transformations.
“I’ve changed.” A fundamental tenant in
my definition of discipleship is very different. (I still
believe in 12 step programs and leadership training by the way –
please hear this in context). The old concept never graduated
anyone in this sense; those that were successful just became
extensions of my ministry in growing the church. I didn’t have
a theology that supported a vision beyond my own – to build the
church. I didn’t have a place for marketplace ministry outside
the church. If people didn't relate to my pastoral goal of
building the church and equipping the saints, they didn't
"stick."
Here’s my “post Releasing Kings” concept of
discipleship. When the disciple is mature, he is touching his
own dream and taking his own land. Here’s the new discovery;
most people that just go to church have eternal life, but they
don’t necessarily have “life and life more abundantly.” The joy
that comes with abundant life doesn’t start until your personal
dream does. The challenge of real discipleship is “finding
life” when the reality of our experience is “few there be that
find it.” Do you want to know where "life" starts? You
have to start "asking" for the desire of your heart - just like
a little child.
7 "Ask and it will
be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door
will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he
who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be
opened. 9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will
give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him
a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to
give good gifts to your children, how much more will your
Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So
in everything, do to others what you would have them do to
you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
13 "Enter through
the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road
that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But
small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to
life, and only a few find it.
Matt 7:7-14
What does your spirit hear when you read
this verse?
And Jesus answered
and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath
left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother,
or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the
gospel's, 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this
time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and
children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to
come eternal life
Mk 10:29-30
We “hear” the part about the self-sacrifice
(leaving things we love), but we don’t get the perspective;
God’s blessing (material and spiritual) is a hundred times
greater… not counting heaven. We think of discipleship as a
life of sacrifice. We’re actually proud that we have no
ambition – that’s not the message of the gospel. Discipleship
is a life time filled with abundant life. 100 parts abundance
to 1 part sacrifice. "Living" Christians are seeing their
heart's desires come to fruition!
Now, if others are to see “life” in me or
if I’m able to impart abundant life in those that I disciple,
what does it look like? Here are a few hints.
1. Answers
to “my” prayer - Disciples with “life” don’t trust
their adherence to discipline to produce life. They are
certainly not “undisciplined,” but their emphasis is not on
their own human effort, it’s on the part God brings to the
table… The first trademark of a disciple with life is answered
personal prayer. These disciples have learned how to “ask and
receive.” The impact of answered prayer naturally instills
“life” (enthusiasm, excitement). The narrow way and straight
gate is knowing the generosity of God and the vitality that
comes from flowing with Him. Guess what? “Answered prayer
leads to more prayer with very little discipline required.”
Real Christian maturity is as practical as
praying for financial needs and getting answers… sometimes the
answer is a j-o-b, sometimes it’s an investment or a business.
For Kings, the answer is normally not waiting for someone else
to write you a check. “You” have the power to get wealth and
take new land… so get going.
2. Fullness
of Joy – Until now you haven’t expected God to answer
your prayer. Go ahead and ask and you’ll receive so that your
joy may be full (John 16:24). This was Jesus’ own
recommendation to his disciples on how to receive joy. Give it
a try. When God answers prayer I get really excited. It proves
he heard me, cares about me, and those answers confirm I’m on
the same page with Him. I love that feeling.
3. Renewed Youth
– People that have the maturity to ask for their heart’s desire
and get results just get so blessed that their hope and vision
and youth are renewed like the eagles (Ps 103:5). When our
faith takes on the simplicity of a child (asking and receiving)
we become more childlike. We get excited about life. We’re
thrilled with the important role we have in the kingdom.
I really struggled with how much of my
disciplined, principled past to dispose of when I adopted
“life”. Here’s the middle ground I came to – for now… you’re
invited to comment.
Younger or immature believers can’t always
distinguish between their heart’s desire (put there by God) and
their carnal appetites (complements of the “old man”). The more
we mature in Christ the easier the distinction. There’s no
substitute for investing a lot of yourself watching your own
precious dead works come to nothing. We soon figure out that
God’s way is best – Some call this stage brokenness.
I’ve come to believe that healthy, new
believers long for spiritual fathers to give them structure,
guidance, principles… things that are sort of the traditional
definition of discipleship. So… I’ve decided we still need our
traditional view of discipleship. But, we also need a graduate
discipleship program that teaches resurrection life instead of
just death and burial. Being disciplined enough to avoid your
carnal appetites is hardly the same as abundant life. In fact,
if you live there, it’s a miserable existence that causes many
to leave their emotions, leave the church, and leave their faith
because it’s no fun and there’s no fruit.
ur
Assignment
We're in the
process of putting together a study guide that will include some
testimonies of kings. Their successes, failures, vision,
etc. If you have a story that would bless others, let us
know. We've got several done and several more planned. We'd love to interview and write up your story as
well. The goal is dozens.
john@releasing-kings.com
509-308-6873
Blessings,
John & Harold
PS: don't forget to
look at the free reports - Especially the one on your heart's
desire.
http://www.releasing-kings.com/free-reports.html
___________________________________________________________
You can get your copy of Releasing Kings
for Ministry in the Marketplace at
1-800-308-5837 (or)
www.worldcastministries.com
