I’m still haunted by the Cameroon pastor’s observation: Churches don’t want to transform members to disciples. I suggested that maybe churches don’t know how, and one challenge is that pastors may think they’re doing all they can do.

One pastor told me, “I think most of my folks are having daily time with God: I preach on it at least once a year.” A committed member of another church said something like, “There’s no reason people in our church can’t be having daily time with God. The pastor regularly challenges them to do that.”

I’m all for practical preaching, and in my public speaking engagements, I expose people to discipleship concepts and practices. However, and it’s a big however:

You can’t teach kids to play the piano by taking them to concerts!

Huh? Bob, I thought we were talking about transforming church members into disciples. We are, and the same principle applies, does it not? Preaching, even good, practical preaching, isn’t enough without skills training, usually done in a relational setting.

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” (Luke 11.1, ESV)

Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. (Matthew 28.20, MSG, emphasis mine)

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Timothy 2.2, NIV)