Communal Disciplines (4)

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all… 1 Corinthians 12.7

The purpose of discipleship
Every believer in Jesus Christ is a disciple. Moreover, we are not free to define the terms of our discipleship. The Lord Jesus has done that, and He has told us precisely what He is looking for from those who follow Him: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain…” (Jn. 15.16). In order to ensure that His disciples will bear fruit, He gathers them together into local bodies where, as they unite in prayer and worship, their minds become fixed on Christ and His Kingdom, their hearts grow in love for Him and the desire to serve Him, and their values become reorganized according to their Kingdom and glory callings from the Lord (1 Thess. 2.12).

But bearing fruit is not an automatic consequence of communal prayer and worship. In order for disciples to realize their purpose as followers of Christ, they must be equipped to serve Him, sent to serve Him, and faithful to serve Him in the many and varied ways a body and its members are capable of performing. Pastors and teachers are responsible to equip church members to do those works of ministry that manifest the resurrection life of Christ, advance His rule on earth, and build up His Body in unity and maturity in the Lord (Eph. 4.11-16).

All disciples of the Lord have the Spirit of the Lord dwelling in them. He has given gifts to every member of the Body of Christ, gifts which are to be identified, developed, and put to work for the increase of the entire Body of Christ. Unless all disciples are being equipped for ministry and are using their gifts to serve others, the growth of the local church will be hindered.

Believers are called to minister together as they are going in their everyday lives so as to “Good News” the Kingdom of God throughout the larger community.

A misunderstanding
The explanation of ministry which I’ve just outlined may not line up with your understanding of that term. I have frequently asked church members to tell me about their ministry. Typically, they reply by relating the particular church program in which they’re involved, or by excusing themselves from “ministry” because they’re too busy, live too far away from the church, or just have not found the right program to join.

The present mindset among perhaps most church members is that ministry is what the “church” does for them. “Ministry” consists of programs, events, and activities, sponsored by the leadership of church, and typically at the church facility, where members come to learn, have fellowship, or unite in some good work. Ministry is understood in terms of programs conducted on behalf of church members in order to help them, in one way or another, to know a fuller experience of discipleship.

Do I need to point out that no Biblical basis exists for such a view of “ministry”?

In Biblical terms, ministry or “works of service”, is what disciples do as they are going about in the daily routines and duties of their Personal Mission Field. Ministry is the calling of every disciple, every waking moment, and requires a rich life of spiritual disciplines together with increasing mastery of relational and vocational disciplines in order for us to make the most of the time God allots to us for glorifying Him in all things (Eph. 5.15-17; 1 Cor. 10.31). All believers – all disciples of Christ – are ministers in His Kingdom, living and serving for His glory according to the needs and opportunities that arise before them.

Goal, means, power
Believers in local churches are charged with the responsibility of encouraging one another in good works of ministry (Heb. 10.24). All believers have gifts from the Spirit (1 Cor. 12.7-11). All disciples have been sent into their own Personal Mission Field to bring near the Kingdom of God, just as Jesus did (Jn. 20.21). Every disciple, therefore, is responsible to identify, develop, and put to work the gifts God has provided, in the normal course of everyday life, for the purpose of making disciples and building-up the local church (Matt. 28.18-20; Eph. 4.11-16).

The goal of our discipleship does not end in how we feel about, or how satisfied we are, with our relationship with the Lord, the church of which we’re members, or the situation and condition of our own lives. The goal of discipleship is more disciples, growing disciples, united together in healthy, growing churches. And every believer must take up this calling according to his unique circumstances, burdens, gifts, and opportunities.

The purpose of discipleship is ministry. The goal of discipleship is more disciples and healthy, growing churches. The means whereby this is accomplished is through communities of believers working together as bodies to show the love of Christ to one another and the people in their communities (Gal. 6.1-10).

Jesus has promised that together the members of His Body will do greater works even than He did (Jn. 14.12), because by His ascending into heaven and sending His Spirit into His Church, He has provided us with indwelling power to make us willing and able to do exceeding abundantly more than we could ever ask or think for the Kingdom and glory of God (Phil. 2.13; Eph. 3.20; 1 Thess. 2.12).

Faithful disciples – true disciples – are people of ministry. And as they minister together, to one another and the people in the larger community, the refreshing, life-giving water of spiritual life flows through them, advancing the Kingdom and glory of God (Jn. 7.37-39).

Next steps: In what areas of getting organized could you use some help? Ask a believing friend, church leader, or pastor to advise you on the best ways to improve your organizational skills.

T. M. Moore

This week’s study, Communal Disciplines, is part 6 of a 7-part series on The Disciplined Life, and is available as a free download by clicking here. We have prepared a special worksheet to help you begin getting your disciplines in proper shape for seeking the Kingdom. Write to T. M. at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for your free PDF of the “Disciplined Life Worksheet.”

A rightly-disciplined life requires a Kingdom vision, and that vision is centered on Jesus Christ exalted. T. M. has prepared a series of meditations on the glorious vision of Christ, based on Scripture and insights from the Celtic Christian tradition. Order your copy of Be Thou My Vision by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.