Making Christlike Disciples in the Nations

I have to apologize for the recent absence in postings. No good excuse. Time just seems to move too quickly and blogs are not a routine part of my schedule yet. I returned from the Church of the Nazarene 2009 General Assembly fired up by the theme for this quadrennium - Making Christlike Disciples in the Nations." As a denomination we are getting back to the foundation of what made the Wesleyan movement great. That is, discipleship in small groups; each of us, all of us who desire to become more Christlike learning from each other and accountable to each other.

Dr. Porter asked two important questions that I would pass on to each of you reading these words. Who are you intentionally discipling? and Who is intentionally discipling you? No matter where you are in your Christian walk, you must be able to answer both of those questions. We should always be sharing with someone who is trying to learn more about Christ everything we have learned. It will make us search the scriptures as we try to answer their questions. It will make us pray harder that we are the example we should be. It will cause us to watch more carefully what we say and do because we know someone is watching us.

We also need someone to disciple us whether we have been following Christ for one day or fifty years. All of us can learn more about him. All of us need accountability to someone. All of us need the challenge that discipling brings. We need each other as disciples to help each other along this journey. I am amazed at how much I learn from both those who disciple me and those I disciple. So be sure you can answer positively to both of those important questions; who is intentionally discipling you and who are you intentionally discipling?

The reality is that Christianity does not spread well through mass rallies or even great preaching, but rather by disciples sharing with others one on one what Christ is doing in their life. Disciples create disciples. After all, that is the command that Christ gave those gathered at his ascension. "Go and make disciples." It is time that we as a denomination and we as disciples get back to the task. Go and make disciples.