Today’s scripture: Luke 9:57-62 (NRSV) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Keith Phillips):
Many moons ago, a National Council of Churches hotshot, Dean Kelly, wrote a book entitled, Why Conservative Churches Are Growing. It caused quite a furor among the mainline churches, but the bottom line was that conservative churches were growing because they had high expectations of their membership; they took discipleship seriously.
For too long there’s been a division in American churches. On one side are the progressive churches in which relative openness in thought and practice are the norm. My observation, though, is that many of these churches function out of the fear of losing members and income (and they are declining), and so they don’t dare insist on too much of a commitment when one becomes part of their fellowship. On the other side are the more conservative churches which through a number of different means seem to insist that their membership leave their freedom at the door; conformity in thought and deed is the expectation, and that particular congregation becomes the center of the member’s life.
The two best things I know about Jesus are:
- He loves me just as I am, not as I should be or even want to be; and
- He asks me to follow him, not follow the church. As important as public worship and participating in church activities are, that’s not what being a Christian is primarily about. To be a Christian is to love and follow Jesus, period.
Our response to Jesus’ love and call is a deliberate decision to become his disciple, student, follower. It is to make a commitment, putting him first in our lives so that we may be molded into the person whom at the depth of our being we truly are. Our relationship with him is primary. Discipleship is not meant to be some kind of part-time job or weekend activity when we have nothing better to do.
I’m convinced that the emphasis on discipleship, on following Jesus, is what empowers our church to grow. Our Discipleship 101 and 102 courses are an extraordinary way to seriously think about your relationship with Jesus Christ. Every new member is asked to develop an intentional “Soul Care Plan.” We are free, guided by the Spirit, to determine what that means in our particular relationship with Jesus Christ. We are free to think, to choose, and to grow as disciples.
Prayer for the day: Lord Jesus, I know you love me just the way I am. My desire, and decision, is to be ever closer to you. Help me along the way today. Amen.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.