“Discipleship is more than an important program in the church. It is the great priority found in the Great Commission. It is the ultimate proof of effective ministry and genuine church growth. It is the will of God and the desire of Jesus. It is the foundation of a stable faith and the means of rich and rewarding relationships with God and man.”
As we continue exploring the essentials of effective discipleship, we will take a look at a disciple’s core values. But first, what are Core Values?
The core values are those values we hold which form the foundation on which we perform, work, and conduct ourselves. We have an entire universe of values, but some of them are so primary, so important to us that through out the changes in church structure, society, government, politics, and technology they are STILL the core values we will abide by. In an ever-changing world, core values are constant.
The core values of a disciple
• Evangelism (sharing the Good News of Jesus)
• Discipleship (becoming transformed by His Truth)
• Community (experiencing Life in the Fellowship of others who love him)
• Worship (delighting God in all you do)
• Service/Ministry (investing your energies in His purposes)
• Power (being a dynamic presence for God in the world by the help of the Holy Spirit)
These core values will be found in a true disciple. One cannot be a disciple without these values in place. The Great Commission sums up the values every disciple should have.
Matthew 28:19-20
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Are we raising up disciples with these values in place? Are our churches challenging each member to live a life of a disciple? These are some serious questions. Questions that are important in determining the success of our ministries. Much more so than “how many we had on Sunday Morning,” or “what our annual budget is.” A successful church produces disciples, is yours?
God Bless
Paul LaRose
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About Me
- Paul LaRose
- Paul LaRose currently serves as the Discipleship Ministries Director for the Kentucky District of the Assemblies of God. He is also Senior Pastor of New Harvest Assembly of God in Frankfort, Kentucky. His passion for discipleship and Christian education is made evident by the fruits of his ministry labor. Paul has been involved in two successful church plants. He served as the Associate Pastor at Harmony Tabernacle AG in Dallas, Texas planted in 2001 where he developed the Christian Education program from the ground up. He currently pastors New Harvest AG planted in 2002. New Harvest is one of the fastest growing AG church plants in the Kentucky District and provides a strong Discipleship and CE program for all those that attend. Paul has been working with the Kentucky School of Ministry in course development. He wrote the course work for the Youth Leaders Tract and is finishing the Children’s Workers Tract. These courses are being used in many of our Assemblies of God Schools of Ministry.
1 comment:
Blessings on you Pastor Paul. I saw that Brother Bill Hennessy followed your blog and clicked on the link. I am thrilled to note that what you have said about discipleship is what we are doing and if I may, I would like to ask for your prayer and that of your church for ICI University Madras as we go about the Father's business.
Noel
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