Anarchy Discipleship

What does it really mean to make disciples of Christ? Can a program achieve that end? Does it need to be one-on-one? Does it include more relationship and hospitality than bible verses and theology? It is some mix in between?

In many of the emergent rants that are going on (rants that I love by the way) there is a deep distrust of anything that smells of institutionalism. And yet can discipleship be anarchical? With centuries of church history and the biblical record itself, is there not a usefulness to ordering information in such a way that it can be passed on, so that everyone is on the same page? Even if the credo is "in essentials unity; in non-essentials, diversity; in everything, charity.". ... one needs to agree on the essentials in order to unify.

I often hear people speak about the beauty of the Westminster Catechism (something out of my tradition) but I know that such a statement was radical in its day. It was an awe-inspiring summation of all that was believed to be true. It begins with the simple question & answer:

Question 1: What is the chief and highest end of man?
Answer: Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever.

It goes on to clearly elucidate all the questions and answers that a young Christian should memorize in order to understand the Christian faith and practice. And yet for many who this life-changing information was only something to be crammed and drilled in order to pass some sort of Jeopardy quiz.

Alternatively, every faith community from house church to Saddleback Community Church has some credo to let others know what they stand for whether it's to live out Christ in community or the five essentials of a purpose-driven church. Why constantly re-invent or re-state?

Most importantly, how do you make a disciple who knows Christ and lives Christ and shares Christ in word and deed?

MicahGirl