Conversion or Submission?

Is the goal of discipleship conversion or submission? This is an important question. It shapes the way we do ministry, what we call people to, and how we see ourselves.

Conversion and submission are linked when we consider our life with God himself. He is our Creator and we are his creatures. His wisdom and love are perfect, and while we are to wrestle with God to understand them, we never stand in judgment of his wisdom. We submit to it. But when we come to our role in the discipleship of one another, conversion and submission need to rethought.

"Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave--- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mat. 20:26-28)" Christian lead from a posture of humility and service. Instead of asking people to submit to our authority, we work to help people work through the teachings of Christ until they own them for themselves. We direct them to Jesus' authority and ask them to wrestle through their issues with him. In the end, only God can change a heart. This process of teaching, service, and prodding people to wrestle with God is the heart of discipleship. This is also the reason that discipleship requires relational interaction.

We can teach in a classroom or worship setting. We can inspire in the same setting. But if discipleship is the process of helping someone transform their worldview by applying theology to his or her life, then that process must be much more personal. A relationship of trust, service, confidentiality, and commitment is necessary. This can happen on a one-to-one basis or in a small committed group, but it seldom happens on the classroom or worship service level.

Can people grow and develop without this kind of discipleship opportunity? Sure, but why should they have to struggle on their own when Jesus' own model is so much more effective and caring.

Creating these opportunities for youth and young adults is very important. They are going through a great deal of change, confronting new challenges, gaining new insights and ideas, and having to make very important choices for the first time. They need a relationship or set of relationships that they can go to in order to be heard, encouraged, and exhorted. The body of Christ is meant to grow together and to bear each others burdens.

The reason I started with the question of conversion or submission is that if we disciple from an authoritarian position--just do what I tell you because I'm an authority--we build an environment where few will truly be open about their struggles and their doubts. If you can't get to the issues of someone's life because they feel it will be dismissed with a simple, authoritarian answer, then you are unlikely to see conversion. Instead, you will see the power of peer pressure. They will act and talk the way you want while you're in the room, but they will live their convictions (or lack thereof) when your gone.