Discipleship Letter 33 March 15, 2009
“The quality of a church’s leadership is directly proportional to the quality of discipleship. If we fail in the area of making disciples, we should not be surprised if we fail in the area of leadership development.” [Alan Hirsch, The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating the missional church (Grand Rapids: Brazos, 2006), p. 119.]
In the discussion and the preparation of the CBP, we realize that leadership is an urgent need. Building church and building people are inseparable. It makes me think about the CBP from this nurturing angle. It also makes me revisit the overall plan of the discipleship program in relation to the CBP. Building leaders is a long process in which all of us are responsible for the development. “Discipleship is primary; leadership is always secondary.” (p. 119) What I mean is that we become leaders in discipleship. We train others to become leaders in discipleship. How can we become leaders? What should we do in order to multiply more leaders?
The CBP makes us face our own commitment. We see a problem. Do we become problem-solvers or mere problem-raisers? Jesus said, “The laborers are few.” Jesus saw a problem. He invested time and energy to solve the problem—to multiply more laborers.
--Discipleship Letter 34 March 22, 2009
The three Pastoral Letters (I & II Timothy, Titus) mean a lot to me as a pastor. It keeps me in check in my pastoral ministry. It illuminates the things that I need to be aware of as a shepherd to His sheep. One morning, I read through the letters. There are many verses that bring me into awareness and self-reflection.
o “To speak evil of on one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people” (Titus 3:2).
o “Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers” (2 Tim. 2:14).
o “Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2 Tim. 2:10).
o “For which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed…” (2 Tim. 1:11-12).
o “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness…” (2 Tim. 2:24-25a).
o “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Tim. 4:2).
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