04/26/2022
Knofel Staton, a Christian Church (ICC) author, wrote in Check Your Discipleship (1982), "Jesus was intent upon making disciples, not in drawing crowds. And there is a difference. Many packaged programs in the church may draw crowds but not make disciples of Jesus." (6) Since then the emphasis in the ICC has been on the opposite. Growth (drawing crowds) has been the main game. Discipleship was replaced by "Leadership" inspired after business models. The CEO "Pastor" was to expand the corporation. Grow was at all costs and "meeting the needs of the community" was interpreted as be a "Jesus Follower." Discipleship was paid lip-service but essentially ignored. Doctrinal teaching was replaced by experiential worship. Church Bible classes began to disappear replaced by community service projects and small group therapy sessions. Bible colleges were no longer supported by these mega-churches and eventually died. The result: a generation blown about by every idea that comes its way incapable of discerning between truth and error. Concern for restoring New Testament doctrine became a hindrance to growth and unity. The spirit of the age has a strong foothold in the congregations of used to be called "Restoration" churches. And what is tragic above all is its shepherds and flocks don't see it. The probability is high that they never will. The good news--Jesus Christ continues to make disciples. "And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they shall hear My voice; and they shall become one flock with one shepherd." (John 10:16 NAS)
