As I travel around the world, I have noticed something in common in almost every congregation I have had the opportunity to visit or connect with.
Every pastor wants to see the church grow. Yet many pastors struggle to understand why growth has become so difficult. Preparing a Sunday service requires an enormous amount of work and, honestly, for many pastors this has become a source of constant stress.
I know this is not always discussed openly, but I believe many pastors will read these words and identify with them.
Rediscovering the purpose of the Church
I have come to the conclusion that, in many cases, we have lost sight of the purity and purpose of what it means to be the Church.
There are countless activities, programs, and strategies. Many of them can produce numbers, but numbers alone will never produce the life that can only develop when we lead people beyond simply attending a service or listening to a sermon.
I do not say this to diminish the importance of preaching. Preaching is essential. But people are not usually transformed by attending a single service each week. Transformation happens when people enter into fellowship with Christ, follow Him, and grow through intentional discipleship.
After transformation takes place, we can begin to understand what it means to be conformed to the life of Christ: allowing His life to shape us so that we can govern every area of our lives according to His will.
After connecting with thousands of churches, I believe we need to return to the beginning: to the moment when God called us into ministry and to Jesus’ command:
“Go and make disciples of all nations.”
—Matthew 28:19
We have many leaders, volunteers, and ministry workers whom we often call disciples. But serving in a church does not automatically mean that someone is a disciple. Discipleship produces life, spiritual growth, obedience, and an ever-deepening fellowship in Christ.
A generation that needs discipleship
According to the Barna Group, 97% of parents have no interest in the Bible. This should make us pause and reflect.
Many people attend church, sing, and participate, but then return to the reality of Monday feeling empty, lost, and spiritually unprepared, waiting for the next service to “recharge” again.
The times we live in are critical. Across the Americas, Europe, and many other parts of the world, parents are facing difficulties with their children. Couples live together amid constant conflict and division. Families are facing real problems, yet these situations are often overlooked while we continue with our usual services and programs.
Pastor, I want to encourage you to consider this: if we do not return to the drawing board and reevaluate how we are making disciples, we could face a painful reality over the next 10 to 20 years: children and grandchildren growing up without a clear identity in Christ, much like what we are already seeing among many young people today.
I do not say this with a critical spirit. I say it because I want to start a conversation with pastors and church leaders around the world.
Returning to the foundation: knowing Christ
Our gatherings and conferences have been eye-opening. These conferences have challenged all of us to reconsider not only how we conduct church services, but also how intentionally we teach, equip, and disciple children and young people.
The response we are seeing has been surprising because we are returning to the basics: to the foundation of everything.
“In Him was life, and that life was the light of all people.”
—John 1:4
“Whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
—John 3:16
“And this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.”
—John 17:3
We need to know Him.
We need to lead others to know Him.
That is the answer.
Beyond the Sunday service
I recently visited a church in Los Angeles. There was a great deal of movement, lighting, music, and activity. We sang five songs, and the “Worship” portion lasted approximately an hour and twenty minutes. I saw people singing, moving, and participating, while others simply watched.
As I watched, I asked myself:
Is this what the church has become?
When are people being trained, equipped, and established in Christ?
Again, I am not trying to criticize. But if your goal as a pastor is to reach 500 people, I encourage you to consider whether numerical growth should be the primary goal.
Numbers matter, but discipleship must matter more.
Six areas we need to reconsider
Perhaps we need to step back and reconsider a few things:
- The way we structure our services, songs, communications, participation, and preaching.
- The way we minister both to new believers and to those who should already be growing into teachers and leaders.
- How we make the instruction and spiritual development of children and young people a priority.
- What our discipleship programs teach and whether their content is truly leading people into fellowship in Christ.
- How we use home groups and how we provide families with practical guides for spiritual growth at home.
- Everything we are doing. If something does not guide people toward spiritual growth, maturity, and conformity to the life of Christ, we must ask where it is leading them.
Walking together in ministry
In 2027, we will be launching a guide for new churches and for pastors who are considering taking the next step in their calling.
This journey cannot be walked alone. It is a mistake to rely solely on our own understanding. That is why ADMEUSA.org exists: to walk alongside pastors and churches in ministry.
Pastors around the world are connecting with ADMEUSA.org because of the work being done to support and equip leaders, no matter where they are.
Our team is also working diligently to prepare summaries and resources from our various conferences. These materials are bringing excitement and encouragement to those who have been praying and considering taking the next step.
I want to personally invite you to contact our team or send me a private message. It will be an honor to connect with you, encourage you, and support you.
We are not here to tell you to abandon everything you are doing. We simply want to help ensure that everything we do points people toward Christ and contributes to their growth in Him.
That is the purpose of being born again.
It is a new life, not just a Sunday experience.
May God use this message to speak to your heart today. This is a lengthy post, but I believe the subject deserves our time and attention.
#Discipleship · #LifeProject · #MasterSteps · #ADMEUSA
