Chapter 9 – Training Objectives for a Worker

The title of this book is The Lost Art of Disciple-Making and I’m halfway through the book and we are talking about Worker–Making. The last third of the book is devoted to Leader-Making. I guess I’m supposed to be smart enough to know when to stop.

But if I am a Christian who isn’t a convert, think about the people who are made leaders who aren’t disciples. They’re all over the place. And I am not talking about community leaders.  I’m talking about people that you would think should display the fruits of the Holy Spirit, but don’t. You know, the people who profess to be a certain way, generally the holier than thou, but don’t walk the walk. Ahh, the hypocrite. And I am NOT saying that I am NOT one. Double-negative humor there.

We’re talking about the Pharisees who declaim their righteousness, passion and convictions in public. And then seek the darkness, the closed doors, to discourage and tear down others in an effort to claim a spot on the lifeboat. I have no use for them.

I have no use for those who build buildings when they should be building people.

The following are the objectives:

1.      A Heart for People – I do not have this. Or rather, when I do, I quench it. I believe it is self-preservation.

2.     An Addiction to the Vision of Multiplication – I have seen this in others and I couldn’t name it, but now I can see it.

3.     A Servant Spirit – I think I have this. It can certainly be developed.

4.     An Integral Part of the Disciple-making Team – Hahaha. Have to be invited first.

5.     A Volunteer Spirit – Yep, yep. I think it must mean something when your spouse tells other people that “she’s done volunteering” while I simultaneously agree to consider it.

6.     A Pacesetter – Nah, I like to run myself into the ground.

7.     A Productive Witness – I would like to be.

8.     A Bible Study Leader – I would love to be.

9.     A Sensitivity to Others – I suffer from the syndrome of the Freudian slip.

10. A Thinker – I can be. There is not a lot I miss. Unfortunately, there are times I miss big things because I’m immersed in the details. I do make connections that others miss.

There was something special in this chapter that eased my heart. Paul ignored the masses to find Titus who was lost. Finding Titus was of primary importance to Paul. More could be brought to Christ with Titus than without and therefore Titus came before the masses. I never would have thought to hear that. There was a little hackle-raising, but I get it.

Problem arises when there is no Titus and the masses are being ignored anyway. They are being turned away. The sheep are starving, lost, and they cannot hear any shepherd and least of all the one who claims to be their own.

2 Thessalonians is too short.