Churchgoer or Disciple

I have been thinking a lot about what it means to actually be a disciple, and have come to the realization that not everyone who goes to church or calls themselves a Christian is a disciple. In my experience, we tend to think that the goal of evangelism is to get people to become regular churchgoers. We want them to attend regular weekly church services, and if someone misses a week or two, we start to wonder if they are backsliding in their faith. Why has church attendance become the litmus test for deciding if someone is walking with the Lord?


If a person were to buy season tickets and attend every OKC Thunder game, you would not think they were a professional Basketball player, you would assume they are simply a fan of basketball. Why is it that when someone attends a church service regularly that we assume they are a disciple of Jesus? Perhaps they are just a fan of church. Think about it, both sit in rows of chairs facing forward to watch the event that is about to take place. If they like something that happens up front they might even give a response of approval (clap, say amen, nod head, etc.), but their participation is limited to merely cheering for those who are up front.

So, if going to church isn’t discipleship, then what is? Lets examine a few differences between a churchgoer and a disciple to better understand the two.

Churchgoer

Churchgoers hear from God on Sunday via the sermon, which is how they ”get fed” their regular weekly spiritual diet. They are content to sit in a pew, sing some songs, hear a sermon, and go home and wait to repeat the process again next week. Church is routine and they like it that way, because attending a weekly service is understood as a rite of passage into the Christian community. Hearing from God personally happens infrequently, and is not desired if it requires more than a casual effort and posture reguarding spiritual matters. For this person, church is somewhat enjoyable and satisfies the weekly requirement to remain in good standing within the church community, but for the most part their lives are left unaltered by their theology. This is what passes for “normal Christianity” these days, yet it stands in stark contrast to the lifestyle of a disciple.

Disciple

By definition, a disciple is a follower of Jesus Christ. This is someone who passionately seeks God in every area of their lives, and regularly hears from God.  A disciple no longer needs someone to “feed him” spiritual milk (like a baby), but has learned how to feed himself through studying the Scriptures, prayer, and meditating on the word of God daily. A disciple is willing to give up anything in order to get closer to God, and after considering the cost, decides to follow Jesus (no matter what the cost might be). The words of Jesus, “Take up your cross and follow me” are inspiring and motivational for a disciple.

Listen to the words of Jesus as he describes what it means to be a disciple:

• “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matt 4:19)


• “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matt16:24)


• “anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” (Matt 10:38)


• “And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:27)


• Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Matt 19:21)


• “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

So, the question we should be asking ourselves is: “Am I a churchgoer or a disciple?” Or, rather we should ask the Holy Spirit to show us which one we actually are.