I read Murray Robertson’s article in the April NZ Baptist about expanding the vision beyond church doors with a great deal of interest.

Having a vision beyond church doors should be nothing exceptional. It comes back to the true and basic functioning of the local church, which shouldn’t need a special facility, institution or provision for the purpose of training ministers or building leaders.

If the local church had a true expectation of what it is ordained to achieve then the sky would be the limit of its success in raising up abundantly blessed and equipped people.

It seems that the saved people that Murray talks about don’t embrace the meaning of being a “follower,” let alone becoming a disciple themselves.

The Church’s focus is not on its most necessary calling, which is to disciple people (all the nations) rather than just fulfilling the prevailing and accepted expectation of rescuing/saving people and facilitating ordinary, comfortable, “good” lives for its members.

The implication of the Great Commission is that, just as it was in the First Century, to make a disciple one first has to become a disciple oneself with a sense of voluntary, urgent, passionate necessity.

Most members of churches in New Zealand don’t recognise that they are there as followers of Jesus, their Lord, for that singular purpose, unless, of course, they are like those early disciples of the Lord Jesus who, once they counted the true cost, ceased to follow in the life of discipleship. The remaining disciples actually discouraged casual expressions of interest, knowing the cost would be high. Unless we make that very plain, as well as making it clear that the reward is also high, the result looks much like Church in New Zealand or elsewhere in the West.

Anything other than real discipleship as the first order of business risks being artificial, of the flesh and mostly a waste of time.

A church that is truly growing won’t have enough room for the emerging pastors/ministers/leaders/disciples/apostles/teachers/prophets/ helpers/healers and won’t have any other option but to do something to fulfill the ever-expanding vision and the multiplying harvest.

That picture is one where the accepted systems that Murray alludes to are also out the door, the threshold to the resistant and hostile world is crossed eagerly and earnestly by true followers/disciples who, having a real servant heart, become true leaders.

– Hans Mitt
Kaikohe