Making the Church Relevant Means Being A Disciple-Making Church

Not every church is alike. Different churches have different talents. Just as our body has different parts that have different functions, so the body of Christ is composed of different churches that have different gifts. But, every church needs to be seen as relevant by the community it ministers to. This is done by making disciples.

Since churches are ministering to different communities, they need to be different. In order to meet the varying needs of the community they serve, they need to have different goals. So, to be relevant each church needs a different mission and a different vision. That sounds great and it rings true. The problem is Matthew 28:18-20

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations(disciple them), baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things (can't just teach what we want to teach) whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

You need to remember that not everyone goes to every church. Granted, in our mobile society, people are likely to change churches more than once in their lifetime. But, if only a few churches are into disciple-making, most church goers will likely never enter one that is a disciple-maker.

You are convinced. The Word of God has convicted you. You want your church to become relevant. You are ready to help turn it into a disciple-making church, but your church just does not have this gift. It's not a strength of your church.

In the quote above Jesus said he has all power in heaven and in earth and he is with us always. That seems to me to nullify that excuse. If not, then combined with the following one it must certainly does.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Granted none of us are able to do anything without him. Is it not great that he is with us always? And, our weakness is just what he needs to show his strength to all. So, if it's not your churches strength, then it's exactly your church that God can use to do it.

Well, come to thank of it. Your neighboring church would be best at doing it. Your church just does not have the resources to make disciples. You are confident that your neighboring church is doing a great job. You could be mistaken. According to a 2009 survey by Barna, only 9 percent of the people who call themselves born again believe absolute moral truth exists. So, your neighboring church is not doing it either. If they are trying, they are not succeeding. So, maybe God wants your church to help.

If your church can become a disciple-making church, it will become relevant. If it can stay a disciple-making church, it will stay relevant.