Churches Without Disciples

     Imagine that a friend has invited you over to his home. When you arrive he offers to show you his car and take you for a drive. Although the car is not brand new, you see at once that it is well maintained. Both interior and exterior are very clean and the pride that your friend takes with the car is obvious. He opens the passenger door and you get in.
"Very comfortable."
Your friend gets in the driver's seat. Then he takes out his smart phone and begins to text. You wait patiently and soon his wife, sons and daughters come out of the house. You are a little surprised but the car is large and there will be room for everyone.
     Instead of getting in the vehicle they all lineup behind it. This is rather odd but your friend shows no concern.
"Ready?" he asks you.
"Sure."
"OK," he yells out the window. After an instant you feel the car begin to creep along. Your friend's family is pushing the car.
     "Are you trying to push start?" you ask in bewilderment knowing that that cannot be done with automatic transmission.
     "No," he responds with nonchalance. "We always go places by pushing."
"Why? Doesn't the car have an engine?"
"No. It never had one."
"Never?"
"No. We've always done it this way."
"What about hills?"
"We try to avoid those and sometimes we can get the neighbors to help."
     The absurdity of this is obvious. Would that the equal absurdity of trying to establish and build churches without disciples was equally so.
     But this is what is happening allover North America. We have many congregations with a zillion different perspectives and distinctives yet we have ignored or disobeyed the foundational command of Jesus to make disciples. Humble people dedicated to learning and obeying all the commands of Jesus personally (Matthew 28:18-20) and His further commands through His apostles. (2 Peter 3:2)) How many have been and are being personally discipled? Have any of us become perfect like Jesus? Then we still need discipleship.