Message from Senior Pastor

Right in the heart of the Great Commission is the call to make disciples. Jesus did not call us to produce believers and to get attendees, but to make disciples of every nation. To miss out on the call to make disciples is to miss out on the core marching order of Jesus Christ.

I believe wholeheartedly that when our church moves into the new building, the quantitative growth of our church will be quite exponential. Then again, there is a difference between having a church that is 10,000 big versus a church that is 10,000 strong. There is a difference between a church that is filled with crowds versus a church that is filled with disciples.

Hence, it is important for us to invest 2010 with intentional discipleship. Our church is strong when every member of our church is strong. We want to see disciples and witness disciple-making at every level of leadership and membership in our church. From the senior leader to the newest believer, we want to see Christ-likeness being forged and formed is us.

And I have purposely chosen the word intentional because discipleship is not something that will take place without great intentionality.

Firstly, we must all be intentional to develop our personal relationship with God. We need to intentionally watch the gauges of our spiritual life as we engage into the important practices of the spiritual habits. The aim is not to perfect the practices of these spiritual habits but that through practicing them, we will become more like Jesus in our being and our doing.

Next, we must also be intentional to disciple those that God has graciously entrusted to us. Discipleship is intentional and it is hard work. We need to intentionally teach and model for our disciples. Nothing less is acceptable. Having a clear focus on discipleship does not mean that we would not be focusing on the care and outreach side of our pastoral model equation.

A true disciple makes disciples. A true disciple will care for both the people inside and outside of the Kingdom.

A true disciple will also be intentional to reach people who are far from God and then help make disciples out of them, who will in turn make disciples out of others that are to come. True discipleship is a cycle that will be replicated from people to people, from generation to generation. Jesus has done that and we can do no other as well.

Once again, welcome to the Year of Intentional Discipleship.

Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

Jeff Chong
Senior Pastor