Is Disciple Making The Preacher's Responsibility?
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 that I have commanded you. Matthew 28:19-20 NRSV
While teaching a Bible study the subject of “making disciples” entered the conversation. One of the members of the class said “I was never told that part of my responsibilities as a Christian was to “make disciples. I was taught to attend worship, study the Bible, live a good life, serve in my church and let the preachers and deacons win souls.” This individual has spent three decades learning how to be a strong Christian believer without learning how or why faith sharing is an integral part of being a strong Christian.
"Faith sharing” or telling ones faith story is foundational to spiritual growth and is often easy for the new believer. Long-term Christian believers express discomfort and confusion because “disciple making” is what a preacher, is called, educated, appointed or hired to do. I admit that as a leaders and pastor I spent the early years of my ministry thinking that I had to be the one always out front witnessing, sharing, and leading people to Christ. Christ said go and “make disciples” and to “teach” other what we know about him.
Question: (1) Who is Jesus commanding to go into the world and make disciples? Preacher? Leaders? All Christians? (2) Do you feel equipped to “make disciples?Pastor Monica
JAT
