Do You Twitter?

A Call to Follow

Do you Twitter? One of the fastest growing technology trends is called Twitter. It’s a networking program that allows people to connect with each other by merging text messaging and the Internet. Individuals who use Twitter have the ability to follow people and in turn they can have followers. This phenomenon may be new to the Internet, but Jesus encouraged men and women to follow Him when he started his ministry. The individuals who followed Jesus were called disciples. They were committed to learning how to model the character of Christ in their daily lives. Becoming a Christ-follower was not easy for them and it is not easy for us either, but sometimes I wonder if we have made becoming a disciple harder than Jesus intended.

Through the years, I have seen churches introduce some intense discipleship initiatives. These programs often highlight the concept of discipline more than the call to follow. These programs have had a clear objective and that is to communicate that true disciples should read so many chapters from the Bible every day, spend a certain amount of time in prayer, volunteer at the church, share the faith with outsiders and finally train others to do the same. Before you write me off, let me say that I do believe that being a disciple has those elements associated with it, but it’s more than that. Discipleship is not about what you do as much as it is about who you are. Are you follower of Jesus Christ? Are you walking in his footsteps? If so, then you are a disciple.

I, like most pastors, have always had a passion to see people become disciples of Christ, but at times my passion has made the process of discipleship very painstaking. Early on in my ministry, I wanted them to learn our vision and mission then memorize a seven step strategy and then embrace six core values. While all of that is well and good, the discipleship process became very confusing. It focused on what you did more than who you were becoming.

Today, my discipleship plan mirrors the life of Jesus. If Jesus were physically here on earth we would see him doing three things: Loving God, Loving People and Serving the World. As we focus on loving God, we become more like Him. When we make it a point to love people, our hearts become tender and our relational world expands. You were not meant to go through life on your own. Being a disciple is not just a matter of believing; it is a matter of belonging. We all need each other. When we seek new ways to serve, our world becomes a better place. I believe that you were placed on this earth to make a difference. You are called to contribute, not just consume. We are all meant to give something back. We must be willing to help someone along the way. When we commit to serving others, we literally walk in the footsteps of Jesus.

I believe that discipleship is more about becoming than it is about doing, but having said that, I encourage local congregations to develop a process that helps Christ followers take the next step in their spiritual journey. At Stevens Creek Church of God, we communicate this process through a sequential, 4-level curriculum called Creek 101, Creek 201, Creek 301 and Creek 401.

Creek 101 encompasses three one-session classes aimed at introducing people to Christ and to our church: Newcomers Class, Baptism Class and a Membership Class. These classes are designed to quickly and effectively integrate newcomers into the Body of Christ and prepare them to become a participating member of the church.

Creek 201 is an ongoing, 10-part offering covering the foundations of the Christian Faith. It will appeal to those exploring Christ as well as to believers who want to refresh the core components of Christianity. These classes feature sessions about Jesus Christ and his work, what it means to be saved, how to be filled with the Holy Spirit, how to study the Bible and so forth, how to share your faith with others and so forth.

Creek 301 helps people get connected into life-giving relationships. We believe that community happens best in the context of a small group. These groups provide opportunities for spiritual growth, encouragement, accountability and deepening friendship. They meet on a regular basis in homes, in restaurants and at the church.

Creek 401 refers to a 4-part class in identifying and developing spiritual gifts and then putting those gifts into action in the church and the community. This also includes a leadership training track for potential leaders which includes conferences, various training materials and ongoing mentoring relationships with church leaders. Through Creek 401 we hope to equip people to lead, encourage, teach and disciple others. These classes are only tools to help us understand what it means to walk in the footsteps of Christ.

At Stevens Creek, we want to help people take their next step. Discipleship is an ongoing process. We have not arrived. Every day the words of the Apostle Paul become a little clearer for us:

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Philippians 3:12).

Discipleship is a process, so let’s get started. We can change the world … one person at a time. We have the life-giving message of Jesus. It is my prayer that we will follow in His footsteps and that the world would see Christ in us. Now, that’s revival.

MartyBaker@stevenscreek.net