- How much (you give),
- How often (you participate), and
- How many (other’s are doing the same).
When we measure the discipleship process by participation rather than maturation, we’re leading and pastoring poorly. What do you think? Do you stand at the back of a Sunday gathering with a clipboard and a checklist? Or do you only mentally do it during staff meetings?
- “Johnny Youth Group just bowed in worship, he is really moving up as a disciple. Check.”
- “Oh look, Johnny Youth Group just dropped an envelope in the plate as it went by. Remind me to investigate whether his giving is generous and sacrificial. Partial check.”
- “Johnny Youth Group just signed up to be a student leader! That’s great. Let’s give him two check marks for that.”
- “Johnny Youth Group missed church last week. Minus one check mark.”
- “Johnny Youth Group's dad drinks beer with his co-workers. Minus one check mark + minus two check marks because we probably shouldn't be hosting youth group at his house.”
- “Johnny Youth Group just completed the third round of discipleship classes. Great job! We forgive the beer-thing.Check.”
- “Johnny Youth Group brought a friend to church. Two checks (and maybe a video testimony).”
- “Johnny Youth Group declines video testimony. Minus one.”
Discipleship is not marked by people’s participation, busyness, or activity. In fact, very often it is the busyness of church and youth ministry activity that actually slows discipleship development in people. Simply, participation does not equal maturation.
I wonder then, what are the things we should measure if we were going to measure Christian maturation?
Jeremy Postal is the director of Whistler School, a bible and discipleship school based out of beautiful Whistler, BC. He is passionate about building communities of restoration & creativity with Christ as the focus. You can also catch him regularly on his blog at www.jeremypostal.com or connect via Twitter @JeremyPostal.
3 comments:
I can't disagree with this view, but it would be great if someone could actually propose another / better system of measuring growth and maturity. Suggestions? Ideas?
I was several years ago an adult helper with the pastor to the youth of our church. As my children grew past that stage I moved on to other service in the church. From that distance away from the youth I was very sad to see a rather high number of young people who 'fell away'. It made me start praying and studying more about this very topic and not just for youth but also for adults.
These were the main 4 changes that I thought of at first.
1)A growing desire to study God’s Word 2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
2)A growing love for God’s precepts Read Psalm 19 and 119 and a growing hatred of one's own sin and an attitude of humble repentance ( 2 Corinthians 13:5)
3)Growth in the fruits of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
4)A growing desire to see the lost saved by wanting to proclaim the Gospel
Then I found this web page and thought it helpful too.
http://biblestudyplanet.com/7-things-that-change-when-we-follow-christ/
Of course, we cannot always know what is going on in a person's heart but actions and especially consistent actions say much about their Christian life and growth.
It's a high calling to minister to and guide young people...always being aware of the example you are setting before them and pointing them always to the Saviour.
God bless you
have you heard of The Way of the Master evangelism? here's an encouraging short http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu2GTmXkiJg&feature=youtu.be
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