I am “cheating” today, relaying to you what was passed on to me once upon a time…

1. Jesus instructed us to make disciples and of course to be disciples. In sharing faith (evangelizing), we as Christians are transformed.

2. Discipleship is linked to evangelism.

3. Being an authentic disciple means we may get it wrong sometimes. 4. Morally messy churches are still a reality. Notice I said “still”. Read I Corinthians. They had the same kind of broken people churches we have today. We are still authentic, because that same acknowledgment of brokenness makes us that! Do we want to be Pharisees? I didn’t think so.

5. Maturity takes time. Unrealistic expectations on new disciples right off the bat confuse and crush them. It may take months, even years. Share with them the love of Christ in a spiritual community. Teach, show, relate to them; be their accountability partner.

6. It’s not about you. It’s about Jesus.

7. Love. Unconditionally, to the best of your ability.

Pastor Art