{"id":31094,"date":"2022-09-10T15:16:38","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:16:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/why-churches-must-grasp-this-opportunity-to-redefine-discipleship\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T15:16:38","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:16:38","slug":"why-churches-must-grasp-this-opportunity-to-redefine-discipleship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/why-churches-must-grasp-this-opportunity-to-redefine-discipleship\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Churches Must Grasp This Opportunity to Redefine Discipleship"},"content":{"rendered":"
Dane Deaner photo – Unsplash <\/p>\n

By Michael Kelley<\/em><\/p>\n

The world as we knew it changed on September 11, 2001. Everything from travel to security to world economies was altered in a relatively short time. The season of COVID hasn\u2019t been like that.<\/p>\n

Rather than a sudden explosion, this season has been a slow burn that lingers on and on. And yet the feeling is much the same\u2014that COVID has indeed changed a great many things but we do not know yet just how drastically.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s true for the economies and governments of the world and it\u2019s true for the church.<\/p>\n

To be sure, not all of what COVID has exposed is a bad thing. Churches have been forced to examine their methodology, programs, and priorities. They\u2019ve had to reckon with what it means to truly be a church at all and with the commitment of their members.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no doubt a redeeming quality to this self-examination. But through that examination comes a question that thus far does not have a solid answer: What\u2019s the impact of the last 10 months on discipleship?<\/p>\n

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We don\u2019t yet know\u2014at least not in full. Nevertheless, we\u2019d be wise to be asking the question now particularly in light of the fact that the season of COVID has brought a great sense of disconnectedness to the church.<\/p>\n

While that was necessary as churches closed their physical doors and moved fully online for a season, it has indeed affected the spiritual life and development of our church members for at least one, simple reason: We need to be together as Christians.<\/p>\n

Life Together<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The writer of Hebrews gave us a word about meeting together:<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching\u201d (Hebrews 10:24-25).<\/p>\n

Of course, when these words were first written there was no other option than gathering physically together. So one might argue that as times change so does our understanding of a simple command like this. But society as a whole would beg to differ.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve had no shortage of opportunities to virtually gather with others. We have done so through endless Zoom meetings, FaceTime calls, and Instagram Live sessions.<\/p>\n

But numerous studies across a variety of different segments show us that even though we are virtually gathering, we are feeling, as a people, a great sense of isolation and loneliness. It\u2019s just not the same. It\u2019s not the same for birthday parties, work meetings, and family gatherings.<\/p>\n

Numerous studies across a variety of different segments show us that even though we are virtually gathering, we are feeling, as a people, a great sense of isolation and loneliness. Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

Why would it be the same when it comes to the church? This isolation, even in the company of virtual togetherness, is destructive to discipleship for at least three reasons:<\/p>\n

1. Isolation is a denial of who we were created to be.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The first couple of chapters of Genesis give us the creation account. In that account, there is a unique designation in God\u2019s intent for humanity:<\/p>\n

\u201cLet us make man in our image, according to our likeness\u201d (Genesis. 1:26).<\/p>\n

What does it mean to be made in the image of God? Many things, certainly, but at least this\u2014being made in God\u2019s image means that just as God is relational, so also were we created with a unique need, desire, and capacity for relationships.<\/p>\n

If we pursue a life of greater and greater isolation, then we\u2019re denying who we\u2019re created to be. Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

Just as God existed from all eternity, and will exist through all eternity, in perfect relationship with Himself, so also are we made to experience communion with Him and with others. Indeed, the creation continues with God making the declaration:<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is not good for the man to be alone\u201d (Genesis 2:18).<\/p>\n

If we pursue a life of greater and greater isolation, then we\u2019re denying who we\u2019re created to be. We\u2019re denying at least part of the image of God inside us, and ultimately, the very God in whose image we were made. It\u2019s no wonder sin will creep up on us if we live in such denial.<\/p>\n

2. Isolation is an outworking of inner pride.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The exhortation to not give up meeting together is built on the fact that we should be concerned for one another\u2014that we should not let each other go our own ways, but instead we should push each other toward love and good deeds.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s because the writer knew something about human nature: We need each other to help us follow Jesus. We can\u2019t do it alone.<\/p>\n

Though we might not say it, there\u2019s a subtle but destructive steam of pride that underpins isolation. It\u2019s that small voice in our hearts that tells us we actually can do just fine on our own. Pride will lead to our fall. Always.<\/p>\n

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See also  Is It \u2018Ministry Failure\u2019 To See a Counselor?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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3. Isolation will make us drift from the truth.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We have the tendency to stay inside our own heads. We think about some issue in our lives\u2014a relationship, a decision, a text message from someone else\u2014and we analyze it inside our own minds over and over again. Our minds are an endless rabbit trail of insecurities, assumptions, and justifications.<\/p>\n

Funny thing, though: When we actually start talking to someone else, all those fears, anxieties, and doubts we were so fixated on when we were alone suddenly don\u2019t seem so huge. Brought into the bright sunlight of relationships, they are revealed as what they truly are.<\/p>\n

When we isolate ourselves, we\u2019ll start to drift from the truth. Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

When we isolate ourselves, we\u2019ll start to drift from the truth. The truth that God loves us. The truth that God is generous to us. The truth that He really is in control. These are all things which we are reminded of in the context of our friends in Christ.<\/p>\n

Even if these reasons (and others) aren\u2019t stated, Christians have long known the importance of being together. But what we haven\u2019t fully embraced is the necessity of being together for our spiritual development and discipleship.<\/p>\n

The Research<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The research into relationships in the church reveals that building relationships with other believers seems to come naturally to Protestant churchgoers. However, for many, those relationships are built apart from Bible study and spiritual growth.<\/p>\n

The 2019 Discipleship Pathway Assessment study from Lifeway Research found 78% of Protestant churchgoers say they\u2019ve developed significant relationships with people at their church, including 43% who strongly agree.<\/p>\n

Unsurprisingly, those who attend worship services more frequently\u2014four times a month or more\u2014are more likely to confirm strongly they have developed such relationships than those who attend less frequently (47% to 33%). This in and of itself presents a problem because for the last ten months, church attendance in person has been largely eliminated.<\/p>\n

You can begin to see the nature of the issue. If people develop greater relationships with greater frequency in church attendance, a lack of church attendance would have the adverse effect. COVID, it seems, has accelerated a trend of less frequent church attendance that was already in place.<\/p>\n

COVID has accelerated a trend of less frequent church attendance that was already in place. Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

According to the survey, 35% of churchgoers attend a class or small group four or more times in a typical month. Fourteen percent attend two to three times a month. Almost 4 in 10 (38%) Protestant churchgoers do not attend a class or small group in a typical month, while 13% attend once a month.<\/p>\n

We might assume, though, that those who were frequent attendees were forming relationships as a means of promoting mutual discipleship and growth. But even in those frequent attendees this wouldn\u2019t be the case: Fewer than half of churchgoers (48%) agree with the statement, \u201cI intentionally spend time with other believers to help them grow in their faith.\u201d This includes 19% who strongly agree. The same number (19%) disagree.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Next?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While we don\u2019t yet know the full effect of COVID on discipleship, there are things we do<\/em> know. We know that relationships are essential for growth in Christ. We know that the ability to develop those relationships around the faith has been compromised.<\/p>\n

But we also know that even before the season of COVID, the relationships being formed in the church were growing less and less frequent and less and less centered on mutual discipleship. So what\u2019s next?<\/p>\n

COVID has robbed us of many things, but it also presents us as church leaders with this opportunity\u2014to help people embrace the nature of the true community of the faith. Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

There\u2019s an opportunity to redefine what it means to be together. It doesn\u2019t mean defining it in terms of location, however. It means defining relationships among Christians according to their true purpose.<\/p>\n

It means helping people connect not only for the sake of mutual interest, but instead helping people understand that relationships among Christians are for the specific purpose of helping each other follow Jesus.<\/p>\n

COVID has robbed us of many things, but it also presents us as church leaders with this opportunity\u2014to help people embrace the nature of the true community of the faith.<\/p>\n

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Michael Kelley<\/h2>\n

@_MichaelKelley<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Michael is the vice president of church ministries for Lifeway Christian Resources.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n