1Timothy 3:15 "if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth." ESV
CHURCH- A DISCIPLESHIP CENTRE
Recently, there has been an upsurge of churches and ministries in our country. If these churches are following the bible pattern of how a church should be, then it is a good development. However, the case is different. As churches are increasing, the society keeps getting worse. In fact, a careful look at what some churches stand for reveal that they have deviated from the new testament pattern- discipleship. A church is meant to be a centre for discipleship. At the core of the great commission lies the mandate to go and disciple nations, Matthew28:18-19. Stop looking for where they'll prophesy to you but where you'll be taught the genuine word of God.
Dear Pastor, what kind of church are you pastoring? A generation where church is not different from a social gathering cannot but produce wishy-washy and shallow believers. The church should be structured to teach, train and transform lives into Christ-likeness, outside these, the church has no value. What we call church is not the edifice neither is it the beauty of the altar or sweet music but the life that is being dispensed. If you want to be discipled, you must attach yourself to a church where discipleship teaching is structured and continuous.
Dear Pastor, if Jesus and the apostles are to attend your church for a month and return to heaven, would they be happy to fellowship with you? The church is God's and He is careful about whatever is being done in it. Don't tell me your church preaches faith only and that's enough for you. While faith is a bible subject, it is not the only subject in the bible that you must teach. We shouldn't neglect faithfulness at the expense of faith. True Christian discipleship takes into account preaching and teaching the total counsel of God. As a reader, position yourself where you can be taught about Christ, trained for ministry and transformed for eternity. That's true christian discipleship.
Are you being fed spiritually in your church? If yes, what kind of spiritual food are you eating? Is the emphasis on Christ-likeness or on mundane things? Do not attend a church in solidarity to tradition at the expense of your soul.