RCA - Discipleship: Deep and Rich

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A Vision of a Reformed Church Where Discipleship Is Deep and Rich

Taken from the Report of the Commission on Christian Education and Discipleship, General Synod 2008

The chief concern of the Commission on Christian Education and Discipleship is to encourage and exhort the churches in the practice of Christian discipleship.While the term "discipleship" is never used in Scripture, it is, of course, taught and practiced in the life of Jesus and the leaders of the early church movement. Jesus gathered disciples whom he trained to follow, obey, serve, and learn from him. Therefore, Christian discipleship is about 1) education: teaching and learning the faith together; 2) "followership": becoming loving, obedient followers of the Lord Jesus Christ together; and 3) leadership: a more mature person teaching another to be a follower of Jesus.

The Discipleship Team has defined discipleship as "the practice of following Jesus Christ, becoming more like him in all we think, say, and do, empowered by the Holy Spirit to be the very presence of Christ in a lost and broken world so loved by God." As such, discipleship is mandatory, not optional, in the church of Jesus Christ.

Members of the Commission on Christian Education and Discipleship spent time at their fall meeting describing the characteristics of discipleship that is "deep" and "rich."

The Vision

A Reformed church where discipleship is deep and rich is a church that involves everyone-- adults, youth, children. No one is left out; all people belong because all have a place to serve in ways that best suit their gifts and abilities and limitations. Children and youth are integrated into the life and ministry of the church beginning with their baptism in ways that are appropriate and that train children and youth to own their faith and their role as participants in the church they attend. Adults, children, and youth are equally valued and given place to exercise their abilities in service to Christ in his church. "Every-member ministry" is the norm, not the exception. Thus the church is a place where people are discovering their gifts and passions, growing in their excitement to serve God and the wider church, and being encouraged to minister.

A Reformed church where discipleship is deep and rich doesn't avoid difficult issues, but confronts them and teaches a way of freedom and grace. It exudes the joy of Jesus Christ, who promised to give his joy, that our joy may be complete (John 15:11). It is a place where love for Jesus is evident in the willingness of members to serve and love each other; where love for Jesus, not promise of reward or punishment, is the only motivator to live a clean and holy life devoted to God alone. It is a place where real life issues such as addictions (drugs, alcohol, pornography, work, etc.), abuse (sexual, verbal, psychological, etc.), betrayal, selfishness, and greed are openly discussed in ways that give space for the transforming work of the Spirit to bring about genuine lifestyle changes. In other words, it is a place that doesn't avoid difficult issues, but confronts them and teaches a way of freedom and grace. A Reformed church that practices a discipleship that looks like this does so because it is a place where God'sWord is central to all its members as they seek to "let the word of Christ dwell in [them] richly" (Colossians 3:16).

A Reformed church where discipleship is deep and rich is engaged in meaningful prayer at all times. This church educates its people both to prayer, by teaching them how to pray, and by prayer, by praying at all times and places. They pray for their community, and they also regularly and specifically pray for the church worldwide. They pray for the needs of the whole world, not just their own country. In this way, Reformed people are informed about the urgent needs of their world and are softened to act in ways that bring about change.

A church that is a place of deep and rich discipleship is a teaching and learning community. The basics of the Reformed faith are continually being taught and understood more deeply. Mission, prayer, and doctrines are taught from a Reformed perspective so that members understand how all of life comes under the grace and sovereignty of God. All members, not only pastors and congregational leaders, take seriously their obligation to engage in lifelong learning in the faith. The adults model lifelong learning to the children and youth by remaining engaged in teaching and learning opportunities that deepen their knowledge of and faith in God. One of the goals in teaching is that those who are being taught will become teachers of others (2 Timothy 2:2).As a result, those who teach and who train others to teach are highly valued in the church, given voice in decision making, remunerated financially when appropriate, and given space and means for continuing education.

A Reformed church that is practicing a discipleship that is rich and deep is concerned for those outside the church. Its people are actively involved in the ministry of Jesus--bringing good news to the poor, proclaiming release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and freedom for the oppressed (Luke 4:18). Those who are not followers of Christ but attend the church are already actively involved in the work of Christ.

In summary, discipleship is deep and rich when it is:

Transformational personally, communally, and institutionally.

Incarnational: the gospel is not simply known intellectually but embodied and lived out in daily life.

Educational and missional: the movement is both inward and outward.

Relational: involving all generations in teaching each other and learning from each other.

The commission desires for congregations throughout the RCA to experience a time of deep and rich discipleship together, a time of celebrating and learning and teaching, for all ages, in a variety of ways, and in many places. The length of time or season for this time of discipleship could be for three months or a year. A design team could consider the time frame and the shape of such an experience. The hope is that such a season together would enable all of our congregations to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20).

The commission also believes that articulating a strong vision for education and discipleship and celebrating a season of discipleship will give direction for the best possibilities for supporting, encouraging, and training those involved in leading such ministries.