Disciples First
Media, social media, and fear—all wrapped up in one anxiety-ridden package—pose a monumental challenge for modern society. Unfortunately, this is not just advertising but “continuous behavior modification on a titanic scale.” As pastors, we are responsible for pointing people in a different direction and offering them a healthier option.
The truth is, we’re all being formed. The question is, by who or what? It’s time to pause and truly evaluate: Who or what are you a disciple of? If we are not intentional about our formation—that it is coming from Jesus—then we will fail to help our congregations be deliberate about it as well. What is your primary identity: a Christian, pastor, disciple, or something else?
Disciple is a noun. Yet, we often turn it into a verb. As pastors, we must remember that we are disciples first and disciple-makers second. Before Jesus’ disciples believed in him, He believed in them. Let that one sink in. Jesus believes in you. Choose to be with Him every minute of every day until you understand. If those we seek and serve say, like Dante, “I don’t believe in God,” we have a fitting response: “It doesn’t matter, He believes in you. I know this firsthand.”
The following five points come from John Mark Comer’s book Practicing the Way.
Abide. This kind of rooted life does not mean holing up in a monastery forever (although short periods of silence and solitude with the Lord are essential), it means learning to “always be in two places at once.” It is the purposeful development of “God habits” and a commitment to constant communion. Soul habits turn into spiritual reflexes and rewire your neural pathways. Let Jesus reset the loss of focus our current culture promotes—because if we can’t pay attention, we can’t pray. When was the last time you got quiet with God and just let Him love you?
John Mark tells a story of sitting with his spiritual director and feeling peaceful just being in the same room. He says this man set the atmosphere of a place as if “breathing the same air cleaned out my soul.” His director eased his anxiety and slowed his heart rate. We know our people need a massive reduction in stress and anxiety. What if we could offer this kind of recalibration to the world around us? What a gift to the ones we serve! What is the temperature of your influence? Do you practice non-anxious presence?
Formation in Christ is a long, slow process. It takes a lifetime and is often incremental. We inch along. In contrast, we live in an instant gratification culture. We’ve gotten used to clicks and swipes, informational bytes, and anything we want delivered to our doors in no time flat. To know spiritual formation is counter-cultural. To teach it is radical. Fostering spiritual formation in our people takes time, patience, and the eyes to see lasting kingdom realities. Human souls are not formed at digital speed. Are you too busy to live an emotionally healthy and spiritually vibrant life?
Our formation requires both God’s supernatural power and our intentional participation. The apostle Paul asked the Philippian church to “work out” their salvation with “fear and trembling.” It takes time for our “clay” to be formed by the master potter into people of love. We take shape over decades. There are things we can do to assist the process, however. We must practice confession and forgiveness, Sabbath and community fellowship, silence and solitude, prayer, worship, giving, guidance, study, and witness. Are you actively seeking your healing and wholeness in Christ? Do you regularly practice spiritual disciplines?
Pastors, we are witnesses, not salespeople. To live a life of peace in the digital age will demand resistance. So, we must make our schedules align with our values. If we don’t, there will be no experience of peace. Comer admits, “I want Jesus’ life, but I don’t want to die.” Isn’t that the truth!? But we must remember that there is also a cost to non-discipleship. So, fall, fail, and get up again. Remember grace and practice it. What would Jesus do if he were you? What is the next right thing?
Resources for further reading and inspiration:
DeNeff, Steve and David Drury. (2011). SoulShift: The Measure of a Life Transformed. Wesleyan Publishing House.
Foster, Richard. (1978). Celebration of Discipline. Harper One.
Hayley Barton, Ruth. (2006). Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation. IVP.
Mulholland Jr., M. Robert. (1993). Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation. IVP.
Villodas, Rich. (2024). The Narrow Path: How the Subversive Way of Jesus Satisfies our Souls. WaterBrook.
Willard, Dallas. (1987). Renovation of the Heart: Putting On the Character of Christ. NavPress.
“May you be covered in the dust of your rabbi.” —first-century Jewish blessing
Spiritual contributor: Rev. Bethany Tippin serves in the Northwest District of The Wesleyan Church.
Executive editor: Johanna Chacon Rugh
Curator of content: Carla Working
