Pastor Pusch

Could it be that the answer to the overwhelming majority of issues facing the church can be answered with these two words, “discipling men”?

This is the question I have been asking myself the last few days. Discipling men sounds like an “easy” solution to issues created by the lack of said discipleship. I’ve been reading the book, Pastoring Men by Patrick Morley and I have been challenged even more deeply about the lack of Christian discipleship happening in our churches. The truth is many churches struggle. I know this because I work with hundreds of churches across the country as I try to encourage our pastors and leadership. Churches do struggle. Often times their ministries go unfulfilled; their resources are depleting (or at least not up to par); their pastors are tired and tried by those who, truthfully, are intentional about monopolizing their time and/or make it their life goal to bring him down as he does his best to lead the flock. As a result of weakened discipleship, we’ve allowed personal preference to rule over Godly principles which has lessened our effort to do whatever it takes to win the lost to Christ. (Side Note: We seem to worry more about who to keep out of our churches as opposed to seeing all changed by the power of God we claim to know all about.) Our worship is weak and our faith isn’t much stronger.

All of the above are really secondary issues in light of what really matters most. I believe the answer to the opening question is a resounding YES. While the answer is easy to define, the process of making disciples can be much more complex. What does it mean to be a disciple? It’s much more than showing up at church and knowing the songs. It’s more than giving. It’s more than ministry. It’s more than evangelism. It’s more than being a good husband or a good father. It’s more. It is, as one pastor describes it, being a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. It’s making Christ the center of all life to where we “take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ.” It’s more than knowing the language. It’s implementing His message and making our lives more like His; being “doers of the Word and not Hearers only”. It’s counting the cost and picking up the cross. It’s more about giving up than merely showing up. It’s about living the abundant life found in Christ. It’s not about figuring how to place God in our life. It’s all about how we can place our life completely in Him. It’s about pursuing an eternal relationship with the Living Christ. It’s valuing that relationship above all others. Knowing Christ IS the primary issue. We must concern ourselves with discipling and mentoring others in Christ. When that happens, all of the secondaries will fall into place.

A Final Thought: Scripture tells us that if we “delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our hearts.” Delighting ourselves in the Lord is no means to a Ferrari or even 10 bucks. However, when we truly delight ourselves in the Lord, His desires will become our desires as we seek to be more like Him.

First let me say thanks for the overwhelming response to my previous post (through comments, email, phone, text, etc.). I appreciate the discussion. The thought behind my last post was the question, how can we help guard each other as we walk this life’s journey?

As I read through the comments, I was pleased to see so many of you speaking the same language and sharing very similar thoughts. When it comes to my original question, where do men need help, my friend, Jonathan Yandell, answered it best when by asking, “where don’t men need help?” I am sure you get his point. The truth is, he’s right. Men need help. Not because they are pigs or disgusting freaks looking for a thrill and/or excitement. While those types do exist, it is the good guys who need the help. Why the good guys? The answer is simple. It’s the good guys who present the largest target for our adversary. First Peter describes our adversary as one who is seeking to devour those who are committed to following Christ. I believe that as we continue to pursue a closer relationship with God, the adversarial target increases in size.

Accountability and discipleship seem to be the common thread found in the comments to the previous post. I agree, but why is it so difficult, especially among men? There are two reasons, both of which were alluded to by others. 1. Men are not as open. Perhaps I am speaking for me personally, but I find it difficult at times to share with other men about issues I face in this journey. Men seem to be more closed to the idea of having accountability partners, while at the same time, would jump at the chance to talk to someone else about their struggles. This leads to the second reason. 2. The Trust Factor. My friend Derrick mentioned that we need “straight talk” among men or “transparency”  as others put it. The idea is great, but transparency can be dangerous. I think men would be more open to one another if they felt that bond of trust. And it’s not always a matter of trusting another person, but rather trusting a system of accountability that leaves men to feel most vulnerable, which is a very uneasy feeling.

Well… what does the Bible say about being accountable to one another? What does it say concerning the areas to discipleship and mentoring. I think Jonathan and Dave nailed it. We need “inter-generational fellowship” among men. There is a lot we can learn from those men who have been where we are. There needs to be more “Titus Training” taking place in our circles. While Paul urged young Timothy to be an example among the elders who were apparently looking down upon him because he was young, Paul also “instituted” the Titus Training – let the older men teach the younger. All of us need mentoring, young or old; well knowledge or not so much (like me). I like what Tommy said in his comment, “the best mentors are the ones who themselves are being mentored.”

We are all apart of the same family and because of that, we need to be more responsible to each other. Let’s help guard and protect one another.