My Navigator friend Bill Mowry sent a ministry update the other day which made me happy and sad at the same time. He talked about Rick, someone he had invested in years ago (actually, Rick was discipled by someone Bill had discipled – that’s the way it’s supposed to work). Anyway, Rick is now in a position of influence in a particular denomination (still as a layman), and brought in Bill to do “Alongsider” training for a number of church leaders. Bill believes, as do I, that all Jesus followers should be praying for people they can come alongside to help them follow Jesus.

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 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 2.1, 2, NIV)

Here’s Rick’s assessment of the training:

Thanks so much for everything today! I could not have asked for it to go better. So many people were talking with me about how they want to follow this up with something at their church, whether it’s starting a discipleship group or meeting one-to-one. What was interesting is that so many talked in a way like, “Why didn’t I know about all this stuff before now?” They had a bit of an epiphany experience. I can’t wait to see what happens when all these folks get back to their churches. The day was a shot in the arm for disciplemaking that we really needed. (emphasis mine)

I’m happy that Bill was able to sow good seed. I’m sad that many of these faithful believers, good church people, were hearing these concepts for the first time. I’ve written about this problem before. When will pastors understand that we’ve got to do more than just run Sunday morning services?

Four years ago I shared a concept that seemed to resonate with some folks at a denominational convention: should churches see themselves as general contractors who build houses or should they be more like trade schools that train the carpenters, plumbers, and electricians to build houses?

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service… (Ephesians 4.11, 12, NIV, emphasis mine)