As church leaders we have a mission to fulfill that of necessity involves communicating with others.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matt. 28:19-20)
But, let’s get this right. We’re disciplemaking leaders in all we do. It goes beyond communicating the Gospel message to others. It’s also about helping those who personally receive that message to become fully devoted followers of Jesus — “baptizing them … and teaching them to obey everything …”
We’re disciplemakers in our homes, in the church office, or at any kind of church event. We’re making disciples from the pulpit, in the classroom, and in one-on-one counsel or consultations. We disciple as we communicate with and oversee a ministry team or staff. All of our relationships involve opportunity for us, as shepherds of God’s flock, to be examples of what it means to follow Him (1 Pet. 5:2-3) but also to verbally point people to the Lord and communicate with them about what it means to be His disciples.
Disciplemaking Leaders Keep the Focus of Communication on the Lord
If we allow our communication to be governed by the Great Commission, we’ll see that in addition to our authority being in the Lord, the focus of communication also needs to be on Him.
Matthew 28:19-20 provides two ways we encourage disciples to keep the focus on the Lord — baptizing and teaching them.
When we baptize people in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we’re giving them opportunity to publicly identify with the Lord, to visually demonstrate having died to sin and becoming alive again in Him. — This is about their allegiance belonging to the Lord.
When we teach people to obey everything Jesus commands us to do, we’re helping them align their lives with who He is, so their lives shine for Him and God is glorified. — This is about their accountability being to the Lord.
The Steering the Church Toward Discipleship Leadership Guide includes what you read on this page and also a few ways we can keep turning the focus back on the Lord.
All Posts about Communication:
- Communication with God Essential to Your Purpose
- Communication in Step with Your Purpose
- Communication Imperative to Body Life
- Communication Guided by Body Life Commands
- Communication Governed by the Great Commission
- Authority in Communication
- Focus of Communication
- Confidence in Communication
- Christ-like Communication Imperative
- What We Communicate: Both Grace and Truth
- How We Communicate: Both Graciously and Truthfully
- Who Can Tame the Tongue?
- Empowered Communication Because of the Gospel
- Empowered Communication as a Result of Spiritual Gifting
- Empowered Communication Seasoned with Grace
- Empowered Communication Possible Because of the Resurrection
- Empowered Communication Because of His Name
- Empowered Communication Takes Prayer