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.

With every job comes it’s ups and downs. There are portions that you love and elements that you endure. I suppose that can be said about much in life. One part my job I really enjoy, an element that keeps me coming back, is the opportunity to be a pastor to pastors; a minister to ministers. Everyday I get to work with pastors and their churches in all sorts of ministry aspects, especially in the realm of Christian Education and Discipleship, an often over looked ministry in the local church.

If there is one are in the local church where we really struggle, it is in the area of discipleship or ’spiritual transformation’. The phrase ’spiritual transformation’ was introduced to me by some friends/Christian Educators who lead in another denomination. I like the phrase because it accurately conveys the change that is to take place while on the road of discipleship. The Greek word for disciple, “ma-thay-tes”, means “learner” or “pupil”. In other words, a disciple is one who is a learner or student. In the world of Christianity, a true believer is one who submits himself as a learner or student of Jesus Christ and His teachings.

Where is the struggle? There several areas within the church that gives explanation as to why they struggle in the area of discipleship. Here are 5 situations I have dealt with the last 4 years, 1. Sunday School/Small Group is just a time filler 2. It’s all about Big Church 3. The Pastor does not care.  4. HELP 5. People just do not get it.

1. Time Filler – Sunday School/Small Group (whatever you call) is more than just “something” till fill up an hour of time. I would almost rather encourage churches not to have such ministries if the only intended purpose was to fill an hour because “that is what you are supposed to do”.

2. Big Church – One of the elements I enjoy most about church is corporate worship; gathering in one accord, the body of Christ comes together for the sole purpose of exalting the name of the Lord. The problem is that most of our attention is given to this ONE ministry in the church. It seems to be the church’s only focus so much so that more effort, time, and resources are devoted to it while discipleship, spiritual transformation suffers. For too long numerical growth has been the measuring rod to determine the success of a church. The thought is that a church must be successful if they are growing numerically. Numerical growth is not necessarily a bad thing, however, if transformation is not taking place, the size of your church means absolutely nothing.

3. Pastoral Apathy – While the pastor may never come out and say he does not care, his leadership would speak otherwise. Pastor Johnny Hunt of First Baptist Church, Woodstock, GA reminds his people repeatedly that if there are only going to give one hour to the church, they should go to Sunday School. He knows that is where the rubber meets the road. It is the pastor responsibility to train and equip people for the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:11-13)

4. Help – Unlike number 3, the pastor really does care about the spiritual growth of his church, but he is having a hard time recruiting help.

5. WE JUST DON’T GET IT! If becoming a Christian means that we believe Jesus is God and by that we accept Him as Lord in our lives then how is it we can ignore the “follow me” imperatives of scripture. By accepting Christ, we are placing our lives in Him, yet the thought of being imitators of Christ is unappealing. It is as if we only want the benefits of what it means to be a Christian without having to become living sacrifices. Instead of placing our lives in His, we place God in our lives. Big difference.

Pastor Johnny Hunt refers to the process of discipleship as becoming “fully devoted followers of Christ.” When we are truly saved, the process of sanctification begins. It is a life long process of become more like Christ.