Beyond Bible Study: Five Ways for the Church to Take Discipleship Seriously RIGHT NOW

The call to discipleship can sometimes be a vague one. No one wants to be disappointed by yet another program billed as a 'magic bullet'. Before setting sail with new discipleship projects, it's important to understand what Anglicans mean by 'discipleship'. Two significant documents provide context and guidance: the Lambeth Call for Discipleship and the Arusha Call to Discipleship.

The Lambeth Call emphasises the lifelong journey of discipleship, the need for learning, loving, and serving in the Way of Christ, and the importance of love and service in relation to God and others. The Arusha Call highlights the communal nature of Christian discipleship, the significance of being part of a diverse and inclusive community, and the transformative power of the Gospel in addressing issues of injustice and inequality. Both calls emphasise the importance of personal and community-level transformation, commitment to sharing the Good News, active engagement in mission and evangelism, and the support and learning from fellow believers in discipleship.

Based on these two Calls, and the Bishop’s Charge to Synod, here are the most important things for churches to get started on right now:

Deepen Faith through Discipleship Learning.

Churches need to prioritise promoting lifelong learning among their members, in line with the call for continual learning in the Lambeth Call. But it's not enough to add discipleship to a list of many priorities. Churches that are serious about discipleship will have to free up already overburdened human resources to make time, talent, and treasure available for discipleship. We need to provide opportunities for deepening knowledge and understanding of Christ's teachings through engaging Bible studies, theological education programs, and spiritual formation initiatives. We also need to make it clear that prioritizing these opportunities will also mean lowering the priority of some other activities. By encouraging a hunger for learning, churches empower individuals to grow in their faith, develop a robust understanding of Scripture, and engage in theological reflection, enabling them to navigate the complexities of the modern world with a solid foundation.

Demonstrate Love through Service.

A key goal for churches is to foster a culture of love and service, echoing the emphasis found in the Lambeth Call. This involves creating an environment where acts of compassion, justice, and mercy are actively encouraged and practised. By engaging in community outreach programs, addressing societal issues, and demonstrating Christ's love through tangible actions, churches can cultivate a culture of selflessness and care. This not only impacts the lives of those served but also encourages members to live out their faith authentically, reflecting the transformative power of Christ's love in their daily lives. Sometimes this may involve taking risks. Sometimes it may involve embarking on projects that may not be immediately, if ever, financially sustainable. However, churches that are serious about discipleship will see these projects as opportunities to live out the faith they are learning, and will take comfort in Isaiah's promise that 'if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.' (Isaiah 58.10, NIV)

Develop and Empower Disciples

Churches need to prioritise empowering and equipping disciples to explore and express their faith. We need to provide resources, mentorship, and training opportunities that enable Anglicans to discover and develop their unique gifts and talents. No one will ever be very invested in a church that never expects anything from them. By equipping disciples with knowledge, skills, and confidence, churches enable them to actively contribute to the life and ministry of the church. They give their parishioners the message that they are valued not just as 'warm bodies in the pews', but for the particular blend of skills, abilities, and passions they contribute to the Body of Christ. Empowered disciples are better equipped to serve within their church community and engage meaningfully with the world, making a positive impact and effectively sharing the message of Christ's love and salvation.

Drop Buzzwords Like Mission and Evangelism

The Arusha Call leaves no room for churches to ignore or neglect the call to mission and evangelism. This means actively engaging with the world and sharing the transformative message of Christ with others. However, many North Americans feel intimidated by the word 'mission'. It simply means 'noticing what God is doing and hurrying to get involved'. Likewise, evangelism simply means 'being so excited about something that you can't help but tell others'. Churches can make great efforts to equip disciples with the necessary tools and resources to authentically share their faith, but those disciples need to feel less self-conscious when they engage in conversations, build relationships, and proclaim the good news of Christ's love. While they have value in specific contexts, words like mission and evangelism can actually be a barrier to inviting others to experience the transformative power of a relationship with Jesus Christ. It's time to start using more accessible vocabulary.

Don’t Ordain All the Disciples

Churches should place a strong emphasis on encouraging all Anglicans, particularly those who do not feel called to ordained ministry, to engage in growth and discipleship learning. Recognizing that every baptised individual has a role to play in God's mission, churches should provide accessible and inclusive opportunities for learning, spiritual formation, and vocational discernment. One of the biggest problems our diocese faces is a lack of ordained ministers. However, this cannot be solved just by encouraging more people to pursue ordination without also nurturing lay ministry. By offering a diverse range of educational programs, workshops, and retreats, churches empower all people to deepen their understanding of the faith, explore their unique spiritual gifts, and discern their specific callings within the broader context of God's mission. However, when these are perceived only as opportunities for people to be 'trained for [ordained] ministry', there is a very real danger that individuals who could most benefit from them will assume 'that's not for me.' The Church talks a good game about encouraging and supporting lay ministry. If we are going to be serious about the value of both lay and ordained ministries, we need to encourage lifelong discipleship learning among those who want to develop their own theological literacy but not get ordained.

To take discipleship seriously, churches must prioritise lifelong learning, foster a culture of love and service, empower and equip disciples, embrace new language for mission and evangelism, and encourage all Anglicans to engage in growth and discipleship learning. By promoting continuous learning, churches enable individuals to deepen their faith and understanding. Cultivating love and service ensures disciples actively embody Christ's teachings. Empowering and equipping disciples allows them to use their unique gifts and talents for the benefit of the church and society. Embracing mission and evangelism requires intentional outreach and engagement. Lastly, recognizing the diversity of vocations and encouraging growth in all Anglicans fosters inclusivity and participation in discipleship. By embracing these principles, churches can create a transformative discipleship culture that impacts both individuals and communities.