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I’m at Spring Canyon near Buena Vista, Colorado, where I had the privilege of speaking last year. This year’s speaker is a 31-year Army chaplain, now retired, and the topic is “Disciplines for the Warrior.” He and I are on the same page.

He opened with a story from a particular denomination that I won’t name (he did!) that he used to be part of. A denomination whose emphasis was get ‘em saved, and get ‘em baptized. I was in such a church not long ago, where after a baptism, the pastor said, “That’s what we’re here for. To see people saved and baptized!” And I thought, “So why am I here?”

Anyway, the speaker’s story went like this: 

I was on staff of a church which had weekly attendance of 2,000. In the two years I was there, we baptized 800 people/year, 1,600 people in two years. And what was our weekly attendance after two years? 2,000. When 2,000 + 1,600 = 2,000, something is wrong.

He said, “Our mission is to make disciples, and disciples grow through the disciplines.” I couldn’t agree more. 

Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples…” (Matthew 28.18, 19)

Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness. (1 Timothy 4.7, NASB)