4. Making disciples must be process oriented.
If you are a control freak, this is a challenge.
When we work with people, we can’t control the results (see item #1 in regards to the Holy Spirit!). I’m afraid that sometimes our discipleship is set up to look like a fast-food drive-thru. We want results and we want them quickly!
When you read the gospels, we see Jesus working tirelessly with a band of people who can safely be described as “knuckleheads” (sorry St. Peter and St. Matthew and St. Thomas and … you get my drift).
Yes, those people went on to be apostles and evangelists and start churches and whatnot, but they weren’t always the big names that they are now. Some of them were fishermen and tax collectors and they needed a lot of time and energy. And if it took more than three years for Jesus, the Son of God, to see some significant growth, how much longer do we need?!?! You get my drift?
Process-oriented discipleship looks radically different than a quick checklist.
It takes an investment of time and energy and prayer and becomes a primary focus of your energy and time. That’s why pastors are absolutely crazy to think or behave in a way that reinforces the heretical view that they alone are to be the church’s primary disciple maker!
