Vantage Point
Making Disciples
I was finishing my second year in college headed toward a
business career when God redirected my life and called me to full-time
ministry.
Since then, I’ve had the privilege of serving local
congregations as a pastor, teaching theology in Christian colleges, doing
missionary evangelism and, for the last 12-plus years, being involved full time
in Christian journalism here at the Pentecostal Evangel.
I’ve enjoyed each of these ministries. After all, there is
no better place to be than in the center of God’s will. But I am often asked if
I miss pastoring.
My answer is always yes.
There is nothing quite like shepherding a flock. And while
the best part of ministry is always seeing new souls born into the kingdom of
God, there is something that runs a close second. That’s discipleship —
making disciples out of those new converts and seeing older believers continue
to grow in the Lord.
A disciple is a follower and a learner. What a wonderful
thing it is to see a new believer, excited about his or her new life in Christ,
begin to reach and stretch and grow in the Lord. How rewarding to see people
who have served the Lord for some time realize that growing in the Lord is
something that need never stop. And then see them attain deeper dimensions in
Christ.
Yes, there’s nothing quite like being a pastor and seeing
your people grow in the Lord.
That’s why I’m excited about the Assemblies of God’s new
emphasis on discipleship — the Acts 2 Process highlighted in this issue
with an excerpt from Assistant General Superintendent Alton Garrison’s new
book, The 360-Degree Disciple. The process as a whole is lively, engaging and
flexible.
All of us who call Jesus “Lord” are disciples. And we are
called to grow.
Make a pastor happy. Determine to make growing in the Lord
your lifelong pursuit.
Ken Horn
E-mail your comments to pe@ag.org.
