Basic Discipleship for Dummies

If you came to me and said, "I feel called to sing/play/lead worship. Can you help me?"

I'll explain how I would approach this in a just a moment...

This question is obviously framed in the world of music. The interesting thing is that the answer can and should be the same regardless of whatever field the question comes from.

The truth is, my job's focus is NOT on music. It's built upon discipleship. Music is the medium for me to engage with people in a loving, redemptive, grace showing, discipling way. To understand the gospel, to truly live the gospel - we need to realize that our purpose as Christians, whether they be in ministry like me, or in the congregation, is not any different. Jesus didn't declare that Pastors are to only preach the gospel and that the congregation is to only listen to the gospel. Jesus doesn't love Pastors or Worship Leaders any more than He does the congregation, and that, I can promise. He didn't give ministry leaders a separate set of instructions than He did the congregation. He instructed us all to carry out the Great Commission. This is what Jesus commissions us to do, taken from the Message translation of Matthew 28:16-20.

Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment The_Great_Commission_tallthey saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally.

Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."

The way we interact with people we engage with is one of the fundamentals places where we can be like Jesus. Dis