Conviction or Convenience in Disciple-Making
Recently, a question has been rolling around in my mind. As a pastor of a local church, this question causes me to pause, take personal inventory, and decide how I will respond. See, this question is for the church at large, while at the same time, very personal. This question could change the trajectory of the church for generations to come. Here is the question:
“Is the church shaping the culture, or is the culture shaping the church?”
What a question. If we were really honest with ourselves, the answer to the question is the culture is shaping the church. Bill Hull, Co-Founder and President of The Bonhoeffer Project, states, “The gospel you preach determines the disciples you make.” One of the gospels preached today is the consumer gospel. Bill Hull states in his book, Conversion and Discipleship, “The consumer gospel promises to provide everything a person on the go needs; convenience, speed, soundbite theology, and instant results.” (1) I guess we could call it McChurch. A McDonalds brand of church where you can come have it your way, on your terms, and on your time schedule. We live in a world of instant gratification and those who have been sold this version of the gospel apply those same expectations to their faith.
Bill goes on to quote Dallas Willard with a very powerful statement. “Why Christian faith has failed to transform the masses and to make a more just and peaceful world is because it has failed to transform the human character. The reason is that our gospel most often has not been accompanied by discipleship.” (2) WOW! That is so powerful.
In order for this to change, we have to exchange convenience for conviction. Let me define these two words.
Convenience
The definition of convenience is “the state of being able to proceed with something with little effort or difficulty.” If we apply convenience to making disciples, we will always make discipleship optional. Why? Because a consumer gospel is about me, convenience, and instant results. The old adage is still true today, “we live in a microwave society.” We want immediate feedback or comfort. We don’t want to do the heavy lifting necessary or the time needed to call us into something bigger than ourselves. Bill’s last sentence about a consumer gospel sums it up…“it speaks words of comfort and assurance and offers tips and techniques for making the Bible relevant without calling us to die to self and suffer for others.”
Conviction
Conviction means a deep personal belief. Those of us who follow Jesus have a deep personal belief in Christ, His life, His death, His burial and His resurrection. And we have a deep conviction that we are to follow His command to make disciples. These convictions are not based on emotions or feelings. They are deeply rooted in truth and lived out in obedience. When chaos ensues in society, convictions do not change. When confusion arises, our convictions do not change. When we don’t feel like something, our convictions do not change. Convictions are like an anchor that keeps the ship in place.
Conviction is based on purpose and meaning. Let’s take a look at the following verses from Scripture:
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’”
Matthew 22:37
“And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Matthew 22:37
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20
These three verses give purpose and meaning. Three simple commands filled with immense purpose and enormous potential. What do I mean? These three commands purpose, and legacy into our lives.
Purpose is about priorities.
Legacy is about making disciples.
Why are Biblical Convictions Important?
Convictions keep us grounded because it is based on God’s Truth.
Convictions keep us on mission because the commands tell us to love God, love people and GO MAKE DISCIPLES.
Convictions keep us from a life of convenience.
Let me go back to my opening question, “Is the church shaping the culture, or is the culture shaping the church?” How can this change? What can we do? Live with conviction. Live with the purpose and meaning to leave a lasting legacy in making disciples. This is why I really love being a part of this Bonhoeffer tribe. These men and women have deep rooted convictions to make disciples. In the words of John Maxwell, “Everything worthwhile is uphill.”
Will you join us in making disciples so that we can see the church making a difference in the culture again for the Kingdom?
(1) Hull, Bill, Conversion and Discipleship, Zondervan, page 36
(2) Hull, Bill, Conversion and Discipleship, Zondervan, page 37
