Quotes from DiscipleShift

We, as pastors, are reading through DiscipleShift again. 

Here are some quotes from the introduction and first two chapters:

First comes philosophy. Second comes practical adaptation. (Know the "why" before you figure out the "how.")

Focus=biblical discipleship; Methodology=relational environments

The mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ in the power of the Spirit to the glory of God the Father.

Simply put, a church exists to make disciples who make disciples. And the primary methodology is Christlike love expressed in life-on-life relationship.

Yet as difficult as the journey may be, people who follow Jesus are also given important promises.

We think that God's grace covered us up to the point of salvation and somehow we must now get it right to continue as Jesus' disciple.

Far too many of us assume that discipleship is merely the transfer of information leading to behavior modification. But discipleship, at heart, involves transformation at the deepest levels of our understanding, affection, and will by the Holy Spirit, through the Word of God and in relationship with the people of God.

Putting all three attributes together, we see that a disciple is a person who 1. is following Christ (head); 2. is being changed by Christ (heart); 3. is committed to the mission of Christ (hands).

There is a solid, organic structure in place to help them move forward in spiritual maturity.