For God's Glory

3.14.2026

3.13.2026

2.23.2026

Don't Disciple

Why don't churches disciple? The quotes under each point are from the articles unless otherwise noted.

The first five reasons are from a series of 9 Marks articles.

Because they preach cheap grace (9Marks article).

"Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline. Communion without confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ" (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship, 43 - 44).

Because they are seeker-sensitive but believer-insensitive (9Marks article).

Churches can become so focused on doing whatever it takes to get those who are not part of the church to come to church that they lose their disciple-making zeal. "We are desperate for people to enter, and desperate for them to stay."

Because they are less converted (9Marks article).

"In some large, well-known evangelical churches, you can become a member simply by ticking a box on a welcome card. There is little or no attempt to examine the person spiritually to try to ascertain that they are truly followers of Christ."

Because they are program-dependent (9Marks article)

"A program - however biblically faithful - is no substitute for ongoing, personal discipling."

"Programs can imply that discipleship is a matter of following the correct 'process' rather than cultivating the correct character."

Because they are too often ashamed of the gospel and therefore assume the gospel (9Marks article)

"'Growth without the regular, faithful teaching of the gospel is growth without depth. If we want depth as well as breadth, there's no substitute for gospel-saturated preaching and conversation.'"

"The deep, wide discipleship we long for in our churches will only come when we stop assuming the gospel, and actually proclaim it."

Because they don't pray.

In The Praying Church, Paul Miller shares some challenging prayer ideas. One of the book's guiding principles is "Prayer is not one more activity of the church - it lies at the heart of all the church's ministry." (26)

Because they promote "perfection," not sanctification.

Discipleship often doesn't happen because church members want to give the appearance of perfection rather than live out the process of sanctification - sinners growing into the image of Christ through dependence on the Holy Spirit.

Previous Be a Disciple/Make Disciples lessons:

Be and Make Introduction - drodgersjr.blogspot.com/2025/12/be-and-make-intro.html
Ministry & Missions - drodgersjr.blogspot.com/2025/12/ministry-and-missions.html
The Bible and Disciple-making - drodgersjr.blogspot.com/2026/01/bible-and-disciplemaking.html
Prayer and Disciple-making - drodgersjr.blogspot.com/2026/01/prayer-and-disciplemaking.html
Time and Productivity - drodgersjr.blogspot.com/2026/01/time-and-productivity.html
Men and Local Church Ministry - drodgersjr.blogspot.com/2026/01/men-and-local-church-ministry.html
Women and Local Church Ministry - drodgersjr.blogspot.com/2026/02/women-and-local-church-ministry.html
Congregation, Elders, Deacons, and Deaconesses - drodgersjr.blogspot.com/2026/02/congregation-elders-deacons-and.html
Teaching and Serving Helps - drodgersjr.blogspot.com/2026/02/teaching-and-serving-helps.html

2.21.2026

God's Faithfulness through Himself, His Word, and His People

Later today, I will be on a podcast that a friend and member of Trinity, James Wisneski, is part of with my new friend, Andrew Gommesen.

Andrew sent me some questions to prepare me for the time. The initial title of the podcast is Ministry Musings. Musings are lengthy, intent considerations.

As I prepared for the interview and considered the definition of musings, I wanted to briefly share some thoughts before and after my time with Andrew and James.

Throughout my time in various areas: Pittsburgh, PA, Rochester, NY, Santiago, Dominican Republic, Toledo, OH, Scranton, PA, Grand Rapids, MI, and places for short visits, God has been faithful over and over again.

He has shown Himself faithful in Himself, His Word, and His People.

Through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross and the empty grave, God has shown His faithfulness to me in my salvation.

Through countless Bible-teaching opportunities I have been part of - from one-to-one breakfast meetings to conferences with thousands of people in an arena - God has shown His faithfulness to me through the teaching of His Word.

Through the many different relationships God has blessed me with, He has shown Himself faithful in how He helps and sustains me through the gift of His people. In the podcast, I am planning to name names. I know the phrase often has a negative connotation, but in this case, I mean I plan to mention many different people who have been a blessing, a help, and an encouragement to me.
DISCLAIMER: The people I mention in the podcast are in no way an exhaustive, complete list.

As I was musing about ministry, I was reminded that ministry is about God-glorifying, personal relationships.
And I am so thankful for all the relationships God has blessed me with.

The section above this line was written before the interview.

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The section under this line was written after the interview.

Posts

Open Letter to Those In Ministry Who Are Struggling - drodgersjr.blogspot.com/2019/05/a-letter-to-those-in-ministry-who-are.html
My Father-In-Law Was Not Normal - drodgersjr.blogspot.com/2025/12/my-father-in-law-was-not-normal.html
Favorite Gospel Primer Entry - drodgersjr.blogspot.com/2017/05/favorite-gospel-primer-entry.html

Books

Gospel Primer Review - www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/review/a-gospel-primer-for-christians-learning-to-see-the-glories-of-gods-love/

2.18.2026

Teaching and Serving Helps

A couple of lessons ago, we discussed essentials for disciplemaking. This was the list.

The Gospel
The Holy Spirit
The Word of God
The People of God
Prayer
Time

The Trellis and The Vine provides a one-sentence explanation of what disciples are.

Disciples are made by the persevering proclamation of the Word of God by the people of God in prayerful dependence on the Spirit of God

This post will highlight two things.
One of them is the last essential on the list - time.
The other is not on the list - programs of men, even godly men.

These two highlights are not more important. They are being highlighted because they are often overlooked and confused.

Programs of Men are not listed because discipleship is about the people of God speaking the Word of God into the lives of others.

Here is an interesting modern-day parable in the article Five Reasons We Don't Disciple - Part 3

A young man walked into a Christian bookstore in Chicago and asked where the bumper stickers were. The assistant said, "What kind are you looking for? The man said, I'd like to buy a fish sticker." The assistant said, "Oh, I'm afraid we've sold out of those." To which the man responded, "HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO EVANGELIZE WITHOUT FISH STICKERS?"

As Western evangelicals, we have become increasingly reliant on courses, programs, techniques, and methodologies to do the work of evangelism and discipleship.

The article later states that the church often has the following mindset.

"HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO DISCIPLE WITHOUT A NEW PROGRAM?"

Brothers and sisters, discipleship is possible without programs. Jesus wrote a really good book about it.

Ministry is NOT programs or events planned to keep people busy and entertained.
Ministry is saints in motion towards Christlikeness for the glory of God. (from Praying Church by Paul Miller).
The formal ministries (i.e., programs and scheduled events) of the church are meant to help people grow in godliness, connect with people, and help others do the same.

Children's Ministry, Student Ministry, Women's Ministry, Men's Ministry, Bible Studies, and ACE classes provide connection and equipping points for the church to do the work of the ministry every day of the week.

First Corinthians 15:58 serves as a good reminder of the second focus point of this post - time.

There is always the aspect of waiting on and working for the Lord in teaching, serving, and ministering to one another.

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58.

The Lord is the one who ultimately does the work. If you are working "in the Lord," that work is not done "in vain." Prayerfully dependent work will bring glory to God.

The Trellis and The Vine quote at the beginning of this post refers to "persevering proclamation." This is a major part of Gospel ministry and disciplemaking.

In speaking about growth and change, John Newton said, "A Christian is not of hasty growth, like a mushroom, but rather like the oak, the progress of which is hardly perceptible but in time becomes a deep-rooted tree."

From the Lead video below.
"There is nothing more important for a leadership community than to be constantly reminded of the presence, power, promises, and grace of the Redeemer."