We live in an incredible segment of human history. Ever since the Information Age supplanted the Industrial Age, we have at our disposal more information about everything than we ever thought possible.
So what does that mean for Jesus’ church? The team which He committed himself to build. The team He commissioned to defeat the gates of hell in the lives of people.
SOBERING NEWS ABOUT JESUS’ CHURCH
In this Information Age, we know more about the health of Jesus’ team than ever before. And some of what we have discovered is sobering.
Too many on Jesus’ team – too many who have been on the team a long time – have decided they are “done growing.” They’ve retired from growing as disciples, and readiness to make disciples.
Surveyors from the Barna Group offer the evidence. Of the “baby boomer” generation (ages 58+)…
Only 14% are involved in a discipleship community
Only 5% are discipling others
28% say they are being discipled
53% are not engaged in discipleship at all
What?
Interestingly, of the 53% not engaged in any discipleship at all, only 30% say “my relationship with Jesus brings me deep joy and satisfaction.” Only 26% say that “my relationship with Jesus impacts the way I live my life every day.”
No surprise that those dots are connected.
NEEDED: DISCIPLES EAGER TO GROW
What kind of team does it take to defeat the gates of hell where Jesus has stationed it?
In my pastoral experience, it takes a team of disciples who unashamedly understand that they must continue growing…spiritually. They are not foolish enough to conclude that they’ve arrived.
No matter their ages, they are still in the hunt.
Intimate with the Father of lights, they are out to shine His light in dark places.
They are eager to become more like Jesus himself.
They are willing to fish for men and women, for girls and boys.
They are passionate about others to not merely know about Jesus, but to trust Him and love Him and become like Him.
In other words, they defeat the gates of hell by growing in their commitment to make disciples of those who are still wandering like sheep away from God.
Is that me? Is that you?
The future of the Free Church in Canon City depends on the eagerness of every generation of disciples on the team to grow and grow others in Jesus. Be discipled and lean in to discipling others. Yes…with Jesus you can.
