What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? Well, for the Named Twelve and the Rest who gathered around Jesus, it was a specific call and a process of transformation. A disciple (which means follower) worked toward becoming an apostle (one who serves).
But that is a really boring academic description of the MOST beautiful thing that could ever happen in our lives.
So, to deconstruct the boredom, to catch the energy and the grace of being a disciple, how about this:
But this is not a POOF BOOM moment. It is a creative process. The Named Twelve and the Rest followed Jesus for three years. Three years in the presence of THE Rabbi. For the rest of us, how about a lifetime?
Discipleship, following Jesus, not just a creative process, it is a wholistic process. Looking into our life as a congregation, FPC Merchantville has identified four threads to be woven together into the process called discipleship.
Worship
Christian Education
Fellowship
Service
It is not just a creative process. It is not just a wholistic process, it is a group process. We are a worshipping community, a learning community, a fellowshipping community, a serving community.
Over the summer, we walked through our understanding of the individual Christian. Our call is simple, Love God and Love Neighbor. With Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength. Being a Mystic, a Contemplative, a Steward, a Theologian, a Pastor, and a Social Worker. But all from the heart of the law, Jesus’ death and resurrection for all of us.
But Jesus did not give us the gift of salvation to hold and nurture and change us as individuals. Yes we are Saved, but we are also Sent.
Jesus sent out the disciples, that first bunch and every bunch to this day and this church. Yes, God changes ordinary living into abundant life. It is how we open our lives to allow God to do this work within us.
This Sunday, we talk worship.
Pastor Pete
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