I visited a Church in Lancaster, PA who was looking to hire an associate pastor. I was in my last semester of college when I learned my greatest lesson about ministry from this experiance. I recall that in about a week after visiting the board and speaking with the youth minister I received a call from the Pastor. He was very cordial and told me that everyone liked me and my ideas. However, there was just one issue they had. I failed to mention anything about relationships. To me I believed developing relationships in the church and the community was a given considering the position I was applying for. The church and I both had that expectation but the problem was I failed to bring up the topic of relationships in our meeting.
Why is relationships so important in any leadership position in the church? Well relationship is the heart of discipleship. That’s right. Relationships makes ministry work. The sad truth is in many church, if not in the majority of the churches in America, treat discipleship as a 12 week program that takes place for one hour a week at the church. This approach removes the actual meaning purpose of discipleship.
In Scott McKnight’s book “The King Jesus Gospel” he writes about his first time going out to meet visitors at their church the prior Sunday service. When a church is visited by a new family or individual they are asked to fill out a visitor’s card and place the card in the offering plate as it goes by. Scoot was a new Christian in his late teens and wanted to get involved in church ministry. So what better activity could than get connected to others by visiting guest with one of the Deacon or Elder of the church.
Scott goes on to describe the first home he and a Deacon visited this particular evening. They knocked on the door and as the door opened Scott could tell that the family were having dinner. He doesn’t recall how but he was amazed how they were able to make it through the door. The Deacon sat with the man of the house and spoke about the church and becoming a Christian. While this conversation continued the family finished dinner and cleaned up. The man “finally” gave his life to Christ and the two returned to the church where they reported that they have a new brother in Christ. The group rejoiced.
Now Scott started to wonder who won in that encounter, the Deacon because he led someone to the Lord or the gentleman for getting them out of his house. He never saw the family return to their church after that night but he did see them on various occasions in town. Scott said he felt like he needed to walk to the man and apologize for what had happened but never did.
I have to agree with Scott. We, as Christians, are not commanded to force our faith on anyone. The example set by Jesus in the gospel narratives gives us a clear example on how discipleship should be conducted. Even in The Great Commission we get instructed on how to lead people to Christ. Jesus states that we are to make disciples first. (Matthew 28: 19-20). In the gospel accounts Jesus developed relationships with his twelve disciples. He called them to follow him during his years of ministry as they heard and witnessed many marvelous things happen. Not till late in his ministry did Jesus inquire of them on what was said about him and what they thought about him. (Matthew 16: 13-20). This is where many believe this is Peter’s conversion, his statement of faith. Now the disciples did not receive the Holy Spirit till after Jesus’ resurrection (John 20:22) but much had happened between these two events and more was about to happen later.
The point is, discipleship is about getting involved in others’ lives and get them involved in what the church is doing. Discipleship is more about being involved rather than a mere classroom experience every Sunday morning. All of us are gifted with various abilities and talents and helping people to use those gifts and abilities for the purpose of God’s Kingdom will open them up to a new world and a new life.
Let’s face the truth. Many in the world are always questioning who does the church do for the world? How does the church help people in crisis and trauma? How does the church help others who are in need? Through discipleship people will learn to use the skills and ability to promote the Kingdom and show the Love of Christ. Discipleship allows people to put their words into motion as an answer to the world’s questions of doubt.
That weekend visit to Lancaster is very memorable to me. I learned so much in that short period of time. A young pastor may have wonderful ideas about ministry programs and events but if they are not tuned to developing relationships as the forefront of ministry they will miss the entire point of ministry all together.
Why is relationships so important in any leadership position in the church? Well relationship is the heart of discipleship. That’s right. Relationships makes ministry work. The sad truth is in many church, if not in the majority of the churches in America, treat discipleship as a 12 week program that takes place for one hour a week at the church. This approach removes the actual meaning purpose of discipleship.
In Scott McKnight’s book “The King Jesus Gospel” he writes about his first time going out to meet visitors at their church the prior Sunday service. When a church is visited by a new family or individual they are asked to fill out a visitor’s card and place the card in the offering plate as it goes by. Scoot was a new Christian in his late teens and wanted to get involved in church ministry. So what better activity could than get connected to others by visiting guest with one of the Deacon or Elder of the church.
Scott goes on to describe the first home he and a Deacon visited this particular evening. They knocked on the door and as the door opened Scott could tell that the family were having dinner. He doesn’t recall how but he was amazed how they were able to make it through the door. The Deacon sat with the man of the house and spoke about the church and becoming a Christian. While this conversation continued the family finished dinner and cleaned up. The man “finally” gave his life to Christ and the two returned to the church where they reported that they have a new brother in Christ. The group rejoiced.
Now Scott started to wonder who won in that encounter, the Deacon because he led someone to the Lord or the gentleman for getting them out of his house. He never saw the family return to their church after that night but he did see them on various occasions in town. Scott said he felt like he needed to walk to the man and apologize for what had happened but never did.
I have to agree with Scott. We, as Christians, are not commanded to force our faith on anyone. The example set by Jesus in the gospel narratives gives us a clear example on how discipleship should be conducted. Even in The Great Commission we get instructed on how to lead people to Christ. Jesus states that we are to make disciples first. (Matthew 28: 19-20). In the gospel accounts Jesus developed relationships with his twelve disciples. He called them to follow him during his years of ministry as they heard and witnessed many marvelous things happen. Not till late in his ministry did Jesus inquire of them on what was said about him and what they thought about him. (Matthew 16: 13-20). This is where many believe this is Peter’s conversion, his statement of faith. Now the disciples did not receive the Holy Spirit till after Jesus’ resurrection (John 20:22) but much had happened between these two events and more was about to happen later.
The point is, discipleship is about getting involved in others’ lives and get them involved in what the church is doing. Discipleship is more about being involved rather than a mere classroom experience every Sunday morning. All of us are gifted with various abilities and talents and helping people to use those gifts and abilities for the purpose of God’s Kingdom will open them up to a new world and a new life.
Let’s face the truth. Many in the world are always questioning who does the church do for the world? How does the church help people in crisis and trauma? How does the church help others who are in need? Through discipleship people will learn to use the skills and ability to promote the Kingdom and show the Love of Christ. Discipleship allows people to put their words into motion as an answer to the world’s questions of doubt.
That weekend visit to Lancaster is very memorable to me. I learned so much in that short period of time. A young pastor may have wonderful ideas about ministry programs and events but if they are not tuned to developing relationships as the forefront of ministry they will miss the entire point of ministry all together.
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