Advancing The Church

[Albert Finch]

John 13:13-15 -- Jesus said, "You call me 'Teacher and Lord' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I , your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet. You also should wash one another's feet. I have set you and example that you shoud do as I have done for you."

John 20:21 -- Just as the Father has sent me forth so I am sending you.

This is certainly a command of Jesus for the Body of Christ to meet the needs (both temporal and spiritual) of new believers so they may indeed advance in the faith.

The humbling service of discipling a new believer into who he is in Christ, his right standing with God, and walking in the Spirit is the most valuable Christian service someone can receive who has just had the "born again" experience.

In order for the church to advance into her destiny there are old thought processes that need to be dismantled:

1. The idea that higher spiritual advancement and development is reserved for the clergy.

2. The idea that spiritual training and discipling is the responsibility of the pastor and/or elders.

3. The idea that it takes years in the faith to be able to disciple other believers.

4. The idea that the only thing the laity is to be involved in is Church programs and listening to sermons.

　

Submitting to discipleship training develops a "personal ministry to others consciousness" in the believer as well as promotes unity and brotherly love in the fellowship of the Body of Christ.