The single most determining factor for why we joined Crossworld, our sending organization, was their emphasis on disciple-making. In recent years discipleship has become almost a catchprase. We are drawn to it not because it’s a new idea, but a very old one, modeled and commanded by the God-man we worship. His commission, uttered to the 12, has been faithfully passed on through the centuries such that Mindy and I have now heard it, “Go make disciples….”
I was fortunate to be raised around the concept. At a young age, my father urged me to seek out other boys in our youth group in order to mentor them in their budding faith. As his apprentice, my father coached me along, addressing my insecurities, troubleshooting dilemmas, and summoning my perseverance. In The Master Plan of Evangelism, Robert Coleman begins with a simple observation: if Jesus’ intention was to save the entire world, to kick-start his church, to establish a new kingdom of cosmic proportions, and he only had three years to do it, what do we make of his awkward priorities? Rather than booking speaking engagements, pursuing appointments with the leaders of the time, or organizing programs, he spends the bulk of his time, by far, with 12 ragged men. “He literally staked his whole ministry on them,” Coleman says. Coleman applies Jesus’ strategy to our own: “Preaching to the masses, although necessary, will never suffice in the work of preparing leaders for evangelism. Nor can occasional prayer meetings and training classes for Christian workers do this job. Building men and women is not that easy. It requires constant personal attention, much like a father gives to his children. This is something that no organization or class can ever do. Children are not raised by proxy. The example of Jesus would teach us that it can be done only by persons staying close to those whom they seek to lead.” When I reflect on my life, I have been influenced by books, classes, even experiences, but for my life to be truly changed, it always took the personal involvement and example of another human life. Dale Losch, Crossworld’s president, puts it this way, “Real, lasting life-change takes place not at the macro-level, but at the micro-level, one on one, close up.” Tradesmen learn their craft through years of apprenticeship, observing and being observed by the master. I think this is precisely what the carpenter Jesus had in mind for building his church. “While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’” |
No matter how hard you throw a dead fish in the water, it still won't swim.
-Congolese saying For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.. -Jesus Wesley & Mindy McKnightThis blog will address critical questions regarding our vision of ministry in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is meant to last only until we depart the U.S., with each post being 500 words or less. Archives
July 2016
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