Boldly Go!

Forgive the “Star Trek” mantra as I introduce this article, but it encapsulates the mindset that we, as disciple-making churches, should be embracing.

By the time I arrived at a true disciple-making church, I had been a Christian for over forty-five years. Shortly after being saved my wife, Lynne, and I found ourselves in what I would describe as a second wave, Jesus Movement, Bible teaching church. I learned more about the Bible in those first six months than all the years in previous churches.

That knowledge propelled me to serve and then to teach and lead small groups. Over the years I undertook two (not so stellar) church plants, served as an Elder, and started a non-profit ministry to advance the Kingdom of God. My heart had always been to disciple others to a mature faith in Christ.

Unfortunately, those efforts met with minimal success. I must confess it generated a measure of frustration at seeing the church of Jesus Christ losing both influence and momentum. Numerous Bible church experiences over the years came very close to extinguishing any expectation of a disciple-making movement remotely resembling the first century church.

The COVID pandemic shutdown of churches resulted in our arriving at Real Life Ministries Texas, which had remained open and thriving. A tangible disciple-making focus aligned every aspect of ministry. The church lived and breathed discipleship. I felt that I had finally come “home!”

After three and half years attending Real Life Ministries, I have a few observations that I would like to share.

My first observation, to put it in biblical terminology, is that we reap what we sow (Galatians 5:7). As a Marine officer leadership is always by personal example. Boldness and competency are essential. In the same manner, church leaders need to be bold in developing a disciple-making culture. They must be disciple-makers if they are to make disciple-makers.

To teach disciple-making apart from living it out has resulted in a church growing by slow addition rather than growing by multiplication, rarely demonstrating the boldness of the early church. In Real Life Ministries, no one is brought on staff or serves in Eldership, who is not actively making disciples. That is what sowing and reaping looks like in disciple-making.

Second, and most importantly, we need to boldly go into the “plentiful harvest” (Matthew 9:37, Luke 10:2) which represents the lost around us. Our compulsion is two-fold. First, we have been commanded by King Jesus to “go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19). He prefaced that command by stating He had “all authority in heaven and earth” (v. 18), reinforcing the imperative of the command.

One closing thought. Obedience to the Great Commission is a delight to the Father and the Son. God will draw His children to those churches who are teaching them to be disciple-makers. Here is a promise we can hold fast. “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” (John 15:7-8 ESV).

When we bring our petitions before the Throne, seeking God’s guidance, strength, and wisdom to advance the Kingdom by making disciples, we can be confident that our Heavenly Father will move heaven and earth to act on our behalf. The author of Hebrews tells us to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV). He will strengthen our weaknesses, work through our limitations, and keep us on the path He has ordained for us. Given the need of the hour I believe King Jesus would tell us to boldly go as we fulfill the Great Commission. God is for us and with us! Boldly go!

This post originally appeared at: Boldly Go! – Relational Discipleship Network