The red rope was out and about again yesterday. I joined Andy Peck of CWR/Premier Radio and traveled to Milton Keynes to meet up with Jack Walker and the leaders of Newport Pagnell Baptist Church.
The starting point was a discussion of Matt 28:18-20, how a Christian disciple should be defined, how they should be made, how many the church had made recently and how to do better in the future. A vibrant discussion with some great people. Andy and I have been writing on this subject so watch this space for an ebook sometime over the next few months. I think you’ll find it challenging and inspiring. We certainly did as we talked and wrote together, pooling our experience, theology and anecdotes. Our hope is it will equip the church to more make disciples and help increase the fruitfulness of those we make.
The last of three sessions with our friends from Newport Pagnell was spent in prayer. Prayer by name for those they long to see as Christian disciples; prayer by name for those they long to see break through (stop being stuck) in their growth as Christian disciples; and pray for wisdom to know what and how to change so that their local congregation can be more fruitful in both quantity and quality of making Christian disciples. We held the red rope as a symbol of the Gospel to which we are calling people, and to which we were/are called. The great Gospel that Jesus came to die for us, shed his blood so that we could leave our ways behind and be liberated from their consequences, and has sent his Spirit to fill us and inspire us as we follow his new way!
It felt powerful as we prayed. Andy and I will be staying in touch with the church to see what happens. Always nice to meet with people and look into Scripture together. But so much better if the time and effort put in by everyone leads to genuine increase of the kingdom of God in the lives of people. So we are looking to the Lord to inspire them and expecting an amazing story (or two) of those who have become believers and fruitful disciples over the coming months.
No pressure! But if there’s no fruit, what’s the point? (Matthew 21:18-22)
PrayerEverywhere.org.uk 