Many churches today have focused their attention on turning visitors into volunteers. This shift, however, often prioritizes organizational growth over the call to make disciples, prompting a crucial call for transformation. It’s time for churches to reevaluate this approach and embrace the needed shift toward cultivating communities dedicated to the art of making disciples.
The Problem: Lack of Defined Discipleship Path
I have keenly observed a shift in the growth philosophy of some churches—a shift that initially seemed reasonable, given the need for a structured process to connect people, especially visitors. This philosophy revolves around the notion of turning visitors into volunteers. The rationale behind this approach is twofold: firstly, the belief that the emerging generation seeks a place to serve before committing to a faith community, and secondly, the acknowledgment that a church has needs or opportunities that require additional hands. This philosophy tends to be more prevalent in larger, growing churches, where the alignment of visitor eagerness to serve and the church’s need for assistance appears to be a mutually beneficial match. However, the question that arises is whether this alignment should be the focal point.
Are churches potentially putting the cart before the horse with this approach? While many of these churches may have programs for new believers, the emphasis has shifted to getting visitors involved as volunteers. Instead of a call-and-response for sinners, it’s a call-to-serve for visitors. Churches often provide something like a Next Steps, Starting Point, Connection Class, or a Membership program, outlining their beliefs and how individuals can engage and commit. The assumption is that those in attendance are believers, as non-believers wouldn’t typically seek to join a church. Only when these individuals express interest in baptism or leading a small group, do church leaders guide them to specific next steps, such as a new believers class or a baptism course. However, this reactive approach raises the question of intentionality in the structure of these pathways. They are pathways, but not necessarily discipleship pathways, failing to guide people in the ways of Christ or foster spiritual formation.
This issue stems from adopting philosophies and values not rooted in the teachings of Jesus, but rather in the construction of an organization.
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