Projects, Programs, People

Jesus is into people.
I mean really into people. So much so that he offers himself as a substitutionary sacrifice to save us in ways that we cannot save ourselves. This is the heart of the gospel of Jesus and it is an incredible and life transforming to be loved by God in this way.

I believe that this how we should be like Jesus: really into people. Jesus has a heart to save the lost and so should we. Jesus cares for the broken and so should we. We are to reflect Jesus in how we think and how we act. The challenge each generation of Christians faces is how to do this. Because the Bible tells us what to do, but allows us freedom in how to do it in our culture, context and time. 

Timeless truth. Timely methods. 

What others far more educated that me see in Western society is that the corporate ideas of events and outsourcing have found root in the church. It is summed up in a line from the Kevin Costner film Field of dreams where he says "If you build it they will come" and so we build ministries, events and programs in the hope that they will come.

Consumers are fickle

What large scale analysis has shown across the world is that whilst people might come in numbers they will not come in heart because what we are doing is using consumer models that perpetuate the consumer mindset instead of creating maturing disciples of Jesus. If someone else offers a program that is better...brighter...louder...funnier...cooler...they are gone and entire ministries disappear overnight because it's not about the programs or the projects. We saw this a number of years ago in Cape Town where a major international church planted in the city and almost overnight the church had 3000 people - almost all from other churches. I know of at least one congregation that lost half its band in one week.

Consumers are fickle.

So how do we change this? Listening to what others are saying and studying the scriptures leads one to the truth that the answer lies is not a program nor a project. Jesus cares about people and so should we. Jesus does not care much for projects or programs and I believe that the answer to this lies in building relationships where the truth of Jesus is passed on from one to the next. Not just bible knowledge but also the knowledge of how to serve, love and care for others. Knowledge about how to pray, discern and follow the call of the Holy Spirit. Programs and projects simply lack the power to do this.

Jesus leaves us two enduring images in Matthew 28 and Acts 1: We're to be disciple-makes and witnesses. And these are things we can all do because it does not require programs that cost money, it needs no flashing lights, Power Point and we don't need a theological degree to make disciples nor to be a witness.

Disciple-makers 

We make disciples by apprenticing people and showing them what we have learned to by God's grace.

I love DIY and I have a garage full of tools that I have learned to wield well to make all sorts of things as our family has need from pop-guns to bookshelves. Much of what I do I learned from my dad. He was always fixing something: cutting wood to size for cupboards in the house,repairing broken brickwork, fixing damaged wiring and building things he needed. I watched, and in time I helped, and then I did it myself. In many ways I have learned far beyond what my dad was able to do simply because I have had access to more tools and technology from a younger age. Importantly, I had someone to show me how.

In the scriptures we see people learning to follow God, not by reading their bible alone but learning from others what it looks like to serve the poor, teach scripture, pray for the sick and call people to follow Jesus. Paul writes to the dysfunctional church in Corinth and says  Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1

A disciple-maker imitates Christ and calls others to do the same

Witnesses

To be a witness is to tell others about what you have seen and John writes it like this:  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.1 John 1:1–4

Do you see the tangible words he uses? Heard, seen, looked at, touched...All the early church did was tell others about what Jesus had done for them and this does not need a title nor an education. You simply tell others how Jesus gave you hope when you had none. How Jesus saved you from your self absorbed life. You tell them how Jesus has made you joyful, hopeful, helpful, grateful and free! 

We're all called to be disciple makers and witnesses

What if each of us who love Jesus walked alongside others with whom we share our lives; friends, family, co-workers and colleagues and what if we discipled them to Jesus, then discipled them in Jesus starting by telling our stories? What if as we live out gospel centred lives we drew others in to walk that journey with us? 

Is your group going to serve at a home for abused women? Take someone with you. Are you going to the hospital to pray for someone who is ill? Take someone with you. Joining with others to gather under Christ to eat and gather round the bible? Take someone with you. Show someone what it looks like to follow Jesus who is Lord of all.

I have a simple faith (some might argue naive) that if we're faithful in following these biblical instructions, Jesus will grow his church. Not a church willed with passive consumers but with passionate disciples who will also disciple others by passing on the good news of what Jesus has done for them.