Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me will find it...”
Matthew 16:24-25
Some years ago, while serving on the pastoral staff of a local church, I petitioned one of the members of senior leadership with a proposal to create and serve as a Discipleship Pastor. His reply left me awestruck and bewildered, “Kevin if we were to incorporate the kind of discipleship model you're proposing, it would radically alter the DNA of our church.” Considering the church had no discernible discipleship strategy or ministry, he was effectively saying that discipleship simply wasn't what they were about.
Since discipleship is revealed as integral and essential throughout The Bible, it seems rather odd that it has become so rare, even completely estranged, within many local congregations. The reason is that religion, from the very beginning, was identified by unscrupulous scoundrels and nefarious reprobates as a lucrative business endeavor. Evangelical Protestants are quick to heap scorn and ridicule upon the Catholic Church for its scandalous sale of indulgences during the Middle Ages.
Several Popes, such as Leo X, offered certificates for the absolution of sin. The catch? They came with a price tag. After Pope Urban II offered absolution from sin for those who participated in the Crusades, the Church soon realized it could profit from the sale of indulgences to those who were incapable of joining the fight. The Catholic Church knew they had to market it properly to avoid questions and suspicion. That's when the Roman Catholic doctrine of purgatory emerged. They knew they couldn't call it a “sin tax,” so they landed on the term “indulgences,” which comes from the Latin word meaning to be given free reign. The proceeds of the“sin tax,” or more properly “indulgences,” were then used to widen the gap between “ignorant” peasants and their “good shepherds” (the Pope, cardinals, bishops, priests, etc.) of The Church.
...because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother, and did what is not good among his people, behold, he shall die for his iniquity. -Ezekiel 18:18
But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. -Jeremiah 22:17
Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart. -Ecclesiastes 7:7
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. -1 Timothy 6:10
King Jesus dedicated His three years of earthly ministry to discipleship. Yes, He certainly came to seek and save the lost, but His strategy, the HOW, wasn't accomplished by selling indulgences, preaching sermons, building campaigns, or denominational conferences. His strategy was discipleship. He made a daily, gradual, and progressively compounded investment in the lives of His disciples. He made an investment that would have a supernaturally profound impact on their lives... lives they would ultimately surrender willingly and joyfully for Him.
So before we, Evangelical Protestants, puff up our chests and heap loads of scorn on Roman Catholics for their sordid history of indulgences, extortion, and exploitation of the masses, let's slow our self-righteous roll. If we replace the pointy hats and ornate robes with luxurious business suits, we'll see that their leaders aren't all that different from our mega-church leaders.
Do any of our shepherds, with their endorsements, lucrative book deals, private jets, chauffeurs, and bodyguards look anything like that humble servant who, after eating with His disciples, took off His outer garment, wrapped a towel around His waist, poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet... and then dried their feet with the towel that was around Him?
Many Christian churches today have more interest in Christmas productions and building projects than in discipleship. Like the nation of Israel in the Old Testament, they don't want a David. They have zero interest in a servant-leader who is a humble shepherd boy after God's own heart. Instead, they want a Saul. They want tall, dark, and handsome. They want a toxic ruler with all the academic accolades and the alphabet soup after their name. They want someone who'll look good on the website and on camera. They don't want Christ as their King. They want to be like all the other lost and depraved tribes around them.
King Jesus' focus was never on the things many local churches focus on today. He focused on the simplicity of authentic relationships and community that emerged from discipleship rather than numbers, statistics, and profitability. He was always about discipleship because that's HOW to edify His Body & Bride. He still is today.
Incorporating the kind of discipleship that King Jesus modeled and died for would radically alter the DNA of most churches.
That pastor I mentioned earlier was 100% correct. Incorporating the kind of discipleship that King Jesus modeled and died for would radically alter the DNA of most churches. Are we proving ourselves as disciples? Are we those who deny ourselves, pick up our crosses, and follow Him, or are we more like the Pharisees who crossed over land and sea to produce a single convert? Are we demanding His removal from our presence and calling for His execution for the sake of our religious security and traditions? Are we proving ourselves to be those who want to save our lives -or- those willing to lose our lives for Him?
King Jesus said the Father seeks those who will worship Him in spirit and truth. He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Is discipleship what your church and its leaders are demonstrating, teaching, and preaching? If not, then whatever they're calling church is something completely foreign to the life and teachings of Christ.
Blessings and love,
Kevin M. Kelley
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