eTidings February 2008

THE PRINCIPLES OF THE MASTER’S PLAN FOR MAKING CHRISTLIKE DISCIPLES

There are five principles that we should embrace in order to make Christlike disciples who make Christlike disciples who make Christlike disciples… They are as follows:

1. PRAYER AND FASTING
2. THE AUTHORITATIVE WORD OF GOD
3. THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
4. GENUINE ACCOUNTABILITY
5. RELATIONAL MULTIPLICATION

            We continue our discourse this month with principle number five, RELATIONAL MULTIPLICATION. All of the principles of making disciples culminate in principle number five. Discipleship is in its most succinct form is the activities of RELATIONAL MULTIPLICATION.
            Allen Hadidian defines Discipleship like this: “Discipling others is the process by which a Christian with a life worth emulating commits himself for an extended period of time to a few individuals who have been won to Christ, the purpose being to aid and guide their growth to maturity and equip them to reproduce themselves in a third spiritual generation.” General SDMI director, Woodie Stevens challenges us to “spend more time with fewer people.”
            Several key issues emerge from this important principle. This month I will deal with just one – spending time with people. One of the serious issues we face in the American, post-Christian, post-modern culture is the issue of spending time with people. One of the fundamental questions we must answer is this: “Will we spend the time it takes to make converts of unbelievers and disciples of new believers?” And it does take time to win the lost and make disciples.
            Here is what Craig Rench says on the subject:

The serious weekly time commitment that [discipleship] model represents for the leadership of the church will stagger many pastors and church boards as they study this dynamic discipleship track. Many leaders will see the value and potential of this model but will struggle trying to imagine that their busy American lay people will embrace such a full schedule of meetings, training sessions and mentoring relationships. The intensity of this on-going commitment to disciple making on such a scale will cause some to pass on attempting such a sweeping change. Yet, the reality is that in many churches in America today God is literally changing the values of faithful lay people until they are genuinely excited about devoting great amounts of time to the vision of being discipled and discipling others. Thousands in America and hundreds of thousands outside of America are joyfully making this discipling life-style one of the top priorities of their lives with no regrets and no desire to go back to their old style of fairly self-focused, non-disciple making living. Many report that this is the greatest thing that they have ever devoted themselves to and that it brings them more joy than any other pursuit or endeavor they have ever experienced.

I am convinced that God is doing a great work in his church to bring us back to obedience to the words of Christ, 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV). The method of Jesus Christ was to spend time with his disciples teaching, training, and demonstrating Christlike living.
That means that we will have to let some things go, some important things, in order to do the most important task of all – making Christlike disciples who make Christlike disciples.

DISCIPLESHIP SUMMIT

            A Discipleship Summit is coming to Michigan on April 19, 2008. This “Listening Tour” will be held at Flint Central Church of the Nazarene. Those encouraged to attend are pastors, staff, and all SDMI ministry leaders of the local church. The Summits are an opportunity for ministry leaders - pastoral and lay - to explore together discipleship in the 21st century.
            To be and make Christlike disciples implies re-thinking methods and priorities. Local church ministry leaders will learn from other local ministry leaders what is and is not working. Help build your local strategy for the pursuit of the mission. Find out the best practices in Sunday School and disciple-making that others are using effectively in your region. Send all your ministry leaders to a 2008 Discipleship Summit.
            We need to learn from you. What is helping you accomplish your mission? What is hindering your effectiveness? What effective methods are you using? What resources do you need to make disciples?
Discover a fresh passion for pursuit of the mission. Re-vitalization of the Sunday School and passionate discipleship ministries are the future. Help create it.
            Registration is only $25.00 for a day of inspiration and motivation in making disciples. Registration can be completed online. Why not register your entire ministry team today? You will be glad you did.

REGISTER ONLINE FOR THE DISCIPLESHIP SUMMIT

Jot me an email note with any questions or suggestions at scnnazpastorgary@charterinternet.com. God is growing a great church in Eastern Michigan. We are blessed to be a part of his great kingdom work!

I look forward to greeting you at TEAM Day 2008 on February 23, 2008 in Perry, MI and seeing you again at the Discipleship Summit on April 19, 2008 at Flint Central. God is growing a great church in Eastern Michigan. We are blessed to be a part of it.

Gary A. Slusher
Chairman,
EMD SDMI

THANK YOU TO ALL PASTORS WHO REPORT ON TIME EACH MONTH
Here are the January SDMI Reporting Results

An opportunity for ministry:
Work & Witness - January 22 - February 4, 2009, a Prime Time Work and Witness adventure is being planned to go to Frome, Jamaica, to work on the Mission of Sight Clinic. Rev. Robert McFarlane will lead this team. As more details are available they will be posted on this website. If you are interested in being a part of this team, please contact Rev. McFarlane at 313-363-7610.

Fellowship Time:
Eastern Michigan District Prime Time Spring Luncheon.
Brighton Church of the Nazarene
7669 Brighton Road –
Brighton, MI
April 19, 2008 – Noon
Special Music: Stronghold, a Men’s Quartet
Chalk Artist: Donna Holloway
Cost of lunch and day’s activities: $12 per person