Why is this generation falling away?
Photo Courtesy: Nicholas Safran (Unsplash.com)
I still remember the desperation I felt. I just got devastating news and I was wondering where in the world God was in all of it. I was lost, angry, confused and honestly just plain disoriented. I needed guidance. I needed wisdom from someone on how to deal with the pains of life. In my time of need I went to my phone and scrolled through the countless number of empty contacts.
Family, work friends, real friends, acquaintances and business partners slipped through my thumb as I scrolled...and scrolled...and scrolled. Suddenly it dawned on me, I don't have a reliable mentor; No one who routinely pours into my life as I pour into others.
I tried earlier in the year to get one. I was told by pastors and leaders I trusted that mentorship is important; especially if you serve in ministry. It is helpful to have someone pour into you as you pour into others. So my short quest began. I prayed to God and asked a few people to mentor me in my life.
Long story short, it didn't work out. No one had the time or capacity to mentor or disciple me one on one. I was alone.
“Our chief want in life is somebody who will make us do what we can.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
I wish my story was a one off and I could say this was just my experience with seeking spiritual mentorship. However, those around me have also voiced the same frustrations. Those they've asked have often been too busy, ill-equipped, or have been forgotten by their mentor.
***********************
The Stats
Barna is an organization dedicated to "carefully and strategically tracking the role of faith in America." One of the topics Barna investigated was discipleship. Their research showed that a whopping 56% of Christians consider their spiritual life completely private. Broken down below is a chart by Barna breaking down the different groups engaged in discipleship.
When you factor in the amount of both those who are only discipling others, plus those who are not engaged in discipleship, its roughly 44%. That's 44% of Christians who are not being discipled.
Barna, also finds that "Christians in discipleship community are more likely to feel re-energized by time spent with Jesus and derive deep joy and satisfaction from their relationship to him."
Not to mention the patented (by God) scripture that was probably plastered on some wall during your last missions trip.“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
If going and making disciples is a command, why is almost half of the church not fulfilling the commission. Christians reported to Barna the lack of feeling equipped or qualified was the top reason for not discipling others. Following closely behind is people not being suggested or asked to disciple (as if God's command was not enough.)
Most Christians can agree that the world has grown darker and darker exponentially. Perhaps, the lack of discipleship is why we are seeing the increase of darkness. If Christians are not equipped enough to feel secure to impart their knowledge to others, is it possible that these same Christians are not equipped enough to walk by themselves either?
Discipleship is not just commanded to the pastor of a church. It's commanded to all believers.
Comments