As we discussed previously, a recent study on the church in America revealed the shocking fact that an estimated 65 percent of all Americans considered themselves to be born-again Christians, but only 3 percent had a Christian or biblical worldview. To have a Christian worldview means to view the world as Christ does—to know and adhere to His teachings. Because there is such a wide gulf between those who claim to be born- again Christians, and those who are reflecting a basic aspect of Christ, perceiving the world as He does, it reflects how poorly we are accomplishing the Great Commission. We are commanded to make disciples, not just converts, and to teach them all He has commanded us.
What is the remedy for this basic failure of Christianity in America? The first step is to recognize the problem. There has been a tragic reduction in the Great Commission by having people make a decision for Christ, or be born-again, with an obvious failure on the part of the church to help raise them up into Christ. This is not a criticism on evangelists who seek converts, but on the rest of the church for failing to follow up the work of the evangelists.
As we see in the Book of Acts, when revival broke out in a place the leaders would send apostles to follow up the work to help establish the new believers in their discipleship to Christ. Obviously, those of you who are reading something like this are disciples, seeking to learn from the Lord and to see the world through His eyes. However, because of the present culture of the church, it is likely that most of you who have this resolve developed by your own initiative, which is certainly a noble thing, but new believers should be receiving much more help than they are from the local church.
A newborn infant is quite helpless and needs almost constant attention for a long time before he can do even basic things for himself. When we are born-again, most people are in the same shape spiritually—they don’t know how to get started spiritually feeding themselves. This is especially true because most people in America today did not grow up in a church and hardly even know anything about the Bible. They don’t know about Christian books, teaching CDs or DVDs, or other aids unless they are told about them. Even then, they need specific ones recommended or they will not know what to start with.
Also, because it is the basic strategy of the devil to devour newborns when they are still helpless, new believers will be subject to an onslaught of temptations and attacks intended to cause them to fall away. Just as any infant is defenseless, so are these new believers against the schemes of the devil, and they will need almost constant attention and protection for some time. However, it is this relationship with other believers that begins to bond them into the body of Christ.
I am sharing this here because this must be corrected as we enter this next Great Awakening or much of the fruit from it will be lost. This fruit is not just apples or oranges either, but God’s own people of whom He has commanded us to make disciples. This is a basic responsibility of the church, and the leaders of the church. We are told in Hebrews13:17: “Obey your leaders, and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account.”
That we will give an account for those entrusted to our care is a very serious matter. If I left my children in someone’s care and came back and discovered that they had not been taken care of properly, I would not be happy with those I gave such a trust to.
Many in a “discipleship” or “shepherding” movement in the 1970s overemphasized the submission and control of leaders, which soured a generation toward discipleship. However, we cannot allow this to steal from the church this most basic command and responsibility that we have. True discipleship does not bind one in increasing control to us, but sets them free with the truth and helps them mature in Christ to the place where they no longer need us. True discipleship builds family relationships that are even stronger than our natural family relationships, but it is not about control, it is about love and service.
I knew some of the leaders of the “shepherding movement” that went so awry. They did not seem to have control issues and may have been some of the best at being true shepherds and making disciples. However, it was as the multi-level aspect entered in that so many of the good things being taught at the top began to break down further with each successive level. Because everyone tithed, or gave 10 percent of their income to their shepherd, many were obviously being motivated to make disciples for the money. This may not have been their only motive, but if it was mixed in at all, a big gate of hell was opened for corruption.
In Christ, there is no multi-level relationship. Have you noticed that nowhere in Scripture does it talk about God’s grandsons or granddaughters? We are all first generation sons and daughters of God. Neither does the tithe go to shepherds, but into the storehouse, from which shepherds and other ministries of the church should derive their income. Because we cannot serve God and men, we must keep all financial motivations away from ministry.
Of course, a book could be written on this, but my point is that true, biblical discipleship must be recovered as a basic mandate and responsibility of the church. This is essential if the church is going to be strong, which also means having a biblical worldview. However, it is much more than that—it is having true Christian relationships that the family God is seeking, and to promote the maturity of all of His sons and daughters. For this reason, one of the major signs of the times will be the recovery of true discipleship by the body of Christ. With all of the good lessons we have learned from the “shepherding movement,” we should be able to do it this time without repeating mistakes, but even if some do, this is a biblical mandate that we are commanded to fulfill.
