It is training them with the truth in order to minister in the kingdom of God. Preaching alone will not do it. Worship will not do it. Fellowship will not do it. Discipleship is the process of transformation in a believer's life into Christlikeness in such a manner that the believer manifests love, trust and obedience to the Lord in all things.
Discipleship is the most needed and neglected function in most churches today.
We often lament the lack of spiritual maturity, commitment, and skills of our people for ministry, but that lament is matched by an equal lack of teaching, training, mentoring and leadership. We simply cannot do the ministry Christ has given to us without discipling our people to minister. This article is taken from Growing Churches, a magazine to help build healthy congregations and healthy leaders. To order Growing Churches, please go to the LifeWay Church Resources Online Order Form. Gene Mims is the president of LifeWay Church Resources, a division of LifeWay Christian Resources.