Tonight I had the opportunity to visit our local Lion’s Club for the first time. It was an interesting meeting of men and women who are interested in being beneficial to our community, a really great work. Part of the meeting was a swearing in of two new members. It was nothing secret and it did not possess any secret hand-shake nor spit-swatting. It lasted a few minutes as a seasoned veteran said a few words and led a pledge. However, it included what I consider a profound statement: “Your sponsor will make sure you have an assignment and that you grow in your Lionism.”
Isn’t that a concept the church could learn! A sponsor (mature disciple) taking his/her sponsored individual (a new believer) and walking him/her through the process of growing and becoming a disciple capable or reproducing him/herself in the lives of others. That’s the concept Jesus himself used in growing His church. He invested His life in the lives of the 12 in order that they could/would reproduce themselves. Because of Christ’s example we have the opportunity to hear the gospel today. Without it, there would be no hope of salvation.
Maybe the Church and us Christians should examine our technique of mass discipleship (which is apparently ineffective) and start investing in people, God’s people, to grow them and nurture them into the mighty army God wants to use to change our world for Christ’s sake.
