Disciples are not widgets. They cannot be mass-produced on an assembly line. Disciples are formed while they are moving toward Christ through the transforming power of the Word of God at work with the Holy Spirit. The process of discipleship is first about direction and the journey, not the completion of the journey or the destination. You never arrive because you continue to press toward the mark of Jesus’ calling on your life. Eugene Peterson described discipleship as “a long ...

      Let me answer that question, yes. Your church is essential because it is a part of God’s plan in making known His manifold wisdom (Eph. 3:10). Jesus stated clearly He would build His church, and the gates of Hell would not prevail against it (Matt. 16:18). Paul told shepherds (pastors) to be on their guard because the churches they were appointed over were purchased with Jesus’ own blood (Acts 20:28). The book of Acts is a church planting story in Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, ...

         In Church Revitalization by Russell N. Small, he declared, “Revitalization is the supernatural work of God that restores health and vitality in a plateaued or declining church evidenced by submission to God’s Word, right relations among members and a renewed commitment to Great Commission ministry.” In the last article, we covered the most important ingredient in an Essential Church, the supernatural work of God. Now, we will look at the second characteristic, submission to the ...

         An Essential Church is a fellowship of believers that places a very high value on community. In some churches, when the services are over, you do not want to get in the way of the stampede as people are focused on one thing — leaving. It is refreshing to see churches where, when the service is over, they are not in a hurry to go anywhere but instead are focused on building and strengthening relationships. In Essential Church, Thom and Sam Rainer stated, “Somewhere along the way, ...

An Essential Church understands just how important every member of their body is according to I Corinthians 12. Before we get there, let’s first look at John 15:8. This is one of the many placesin the Scriptures where Jesus points out what it means to be one of His disciples. “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” Disciples are supposed to bear fruit, and that is done byimpacting other people’s lives for His eternal purposes.Discipleship is ...