Succession planning is a hot topic in the business world right now. While we don’t talk about it in the church (except about who will take over leadership of a ministry or church) it’s critically important). Succession planning in the life of faith is really just Discipleship. The Importance of Discipleship is something we often don’t pay enough attention to.

Jesus commands the apostles to make disciples. This is important because the life of a disciple is the kind of life God wants for us. But it’s also important because disciples attract other disciples. It becomes a strategy for growing the church.

So why do we so often neglect discipleship? First, the way we are led can be a problem. Some leaders are more interested in building their brand than in forming people to be like Jesus. Still, others are insistent on replicating themselves rather than in replicating Jesus in those who follow them.  But part of the problem lies in the culture in the church. We live in a culture of consumerism that breeds passivity. We also live with such business that we have to prioritize. Making the sacrifices the deeper life of faith demands is something we simply don’t value. We don’t have a vision for the importance of discipleship.

Other Sermons in this series

1. God Provides for his People
2. It’s Party Time (Exodus 23)
3. The Power of God’s Presence