T H E O P H I L U S

¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matt 28-19-20 (ESV)

Something I have been challenging myself to think about as a pastor over the course of the last year has been on the call to make disciples. How do we make disciples? and what do disciples look like? Are we as Pastors and Elders of the Church merely teaching our congregations and those we minister a bunch of values, ideas, and theologies, but not actually teaching and challenging people to live like the true master – Jesus Christ?

True catechizing of our congregations is not merely teaching the knowledge of what Christian faith is about, or about the good and the sinful, or on the death and resurrection – but how that must be lived out each day, and how we ought to get there and begin to deepen our practice as well as our reflections.

There is a major difference between followers and actual disciples.

Followers love to do exactly just that – follow. Followers listen, are intrigued, fed, entertained. They consume and are stimulated in the mind, stirred emotionally, but are rarely moved spiritually and physically to make any real changes or sacrifices. They often do not always actually trust, believe or are willing to live the life of the master. They are often critical but ironically are not willing to take the steps to do what the Master has done – they look to others to do it for them.

Disciples do what the Master has done; they are on the pursuit to understand, perfect and practice the details, nuances, and attitudes of what has been lived and taught by the originator. They take leaps of faith because they trust in the Lord. Even though their initial steps are rough and immature, they keep going until they get it right. A true disciple’s life should be lived to the point one’s own life should become an homage to that original walker. Though it would never be exact – as only Jesus is perfect –  but in every way shape and form reminds those around them of who Jesus truly was.

Are we Followers or Disciples?

On a personal note and reflection, as Pastors we also cannot just say: “this is how to do it folks!” and be done with it. We must walk it, and say, “This is how it is done, folks.” Roll up our sleeves, and do it ourselves first. As Pastors we must also walk the journey of the master as much as we teach the ways of the master.