A recent study (2015) by Christian pollster, George Barna found a “gulf” in the definition of “disciple,” as understood by “churchgoers” and by church leaders.
“Churchgoers” defined the goal of discipleship as being, “learning to live a more consistent Christian life.” Church leaders said the goal was “being transformed to become more like Jesus.”
Two very different understandings of what discipleship is all about. Is discipleship about learning, or is it about transformation? Is it about both?
As we meet for conference next weekend, our presenter, Randy Wollf will be leading us in considering the heart of discipleship, and characteristics of disciples of Christ who are in the process of transformation. These are prayerfulness, hearing and responding to God’s voice, having a love for people and a heart bent on mission.
I look forward to sharing this time with many of you. We will not be focusing on methodology, strategy or efforts. We will gather as God’s people, and seek God’s heart in our lives, churches and in those we reach out to in His Name.
Please see this link to an article highlighting this study:
Please see this link to the complete Barna study:
research-on-the-state-of-discipleship/
Please pray for God to continue his good work in and through us as we meet together next week!
(Please see conference info below)
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A word of encouragement from Oswald Chambers
As many of you know, I begin my day with a reading from Oswald Chambers, “My Utmost for His Highest,” and personal Bible study, using, “Search the Scriptures.”This week, there have been some readings that are encouraging to all of us who may “soldier on,” in service, and often without accolades or praise. Here is a reading from February 25.
Natural human love expects something in return. But Paul is saying, “It doesn’t really matter to me whether you love me or not. I am willing to be completely destitute anyway; willing to be poverty-stricken, not just for your sakes, but also that I may be able to get you to God.” “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor…” (2 Corinthians 8:9). And Paul’s idea of service was the same as our Lord’s. He did not care how high the cost was to himself— he would gladly pay it. It was a joyful thing to Paul.
The institutional church’s idea of a servant of God is not at all like Jesus Christ’s idea. His idea is that we serve Him by being the servants of others. Jesus Christ actually “out-socialized” the socialists. He said that in His kingdom the greatest one would be the servant of all (see Matthew 23:11). The real test of a saint is not one’s willingness to preach the gospel, but one’s willingness to do something like washing the disciples’ feet— that is, being willing to do those things that seem unimportant in human estimation but count as everything to God. It was Paul’s delight to spend his life for God’s interests in other people, and he did not care what it cost. But before we will serve, we stop to ponder our personal and financial concerns— “What if God wants me to go over there? And what about my salary? What is the climate like there? Who will take care of me? A person must consider all these things.” All that is an indication that we have reservations about serving God. But the apostle Paul had no conditions or reservations. Paul focused his life on Jesus Christ’s idea of a New Testament saint; that is, not one who merely proclaims the gospel, but one who becomes broken bread and poured-out wine in the hands of Jesus Christ for the sake of others.
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LPD Conference
– Just one week away!
Registration deadline is Friday, February 28 – that’s TODAY…
at
Grace Hanin Community Church
March 6,7
with Dr. Randy Wollf of ACTS Seminaries.
“The Heart of Discipleship”
We are so glad to welcome our presenter, Dr. Randy Wollf, Assistant Professor of Practical Theology and Leadership Studies; Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary at ACTS. Randy (Lore) Wollf became our first LPD Missionaries in 2005, as they planted “The Journey.” Randy is a practitioner when it comes to church, and believes that there are several practical essentials for effective discipleship in our local churches that transcends our methods and effort.
Here is a note from conference speaker, Randy Wollf:
As I’ve been preparing for the LPD Conference, I’ve been struck again with God’s heart for discipleship. God wants our churches to be loving, Christ-centred communities on a mission to be and make growing disciples of Jesus. We’ve gotten pretty good at developing solid disciple-making methods and that’s a good thing. The methods we use to make disciples are kind of like a trellis or support that a vine needs to support its growth. Yet, the trellis does not cause the growth. It’s the sunshine, the rain and the nutrients in the soil that cause the growth.
During our time together on March 6, we will explore the disciple-making nutrients that must be in the soil of our churches, at the very core of our church cultures, for our disciple-making efforts to flourish. Even though we will look at some “how-to’s,” the sessions will focus more on heart matters like prayerfulness, responding to God’s voice, loving others, and living missionally. As we partner with the Holy Spirit in growing these core elements of a vibrant church culture, the methods we employ will be much more effective. Please pray earnestly for our time together – that God would take us and our churches deeper in understanding and living out His heart for discipleship.
With great anticipation of what God will do,
Randy
Please plan to join us for this important time of sharing together, learning together and providing direction to the ministry of our Lower Pacific District. We will also be presented with a proposal for changes to the structure of our EFCC. This is intended to strengthen the governing and ministry relationships between national office, districts and local churches.
All are welcome to join us for the workshop with Randy on Friday, to the informal dinners with ministry colleagues on Friday evening, and the Saturday morning time for teaching, ministry reporting and decisions. We will end off with lunch together, including an informal fellowship lunch and prayer time for ladies in ministry and ministry wives with Karen Stewart. Also, we anticipate one or more churches joining our LPD Family at conference.
All Pastors are expected to attend, and all others are welcome to join us!
Register online at: https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/event/lpd-annual-conference-2020/
Here is a conference poster and info. on the luncheon for pastor’s wives and women in ministry:
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Please pray for:
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“Asante sana” – from Pastor Sammy Kabyemera
Eva and I want to use this opportunity to thank all pastors , brothers and sisters who donated for the February short term mission to Uganda . Although I didn’t go because of my beloved wife Eva’s health, Petros, and two more missionaries were in Kampala, Uganda and had had a successful two weeks reach out which brought fruitful results . Many souls were won for Christ Jesus . As in Psalm 126:6; Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.
Again ” Asante sana ” which means thank you so much in kiswahili .
Yours,
Sammy
