The 21st century is strange and wonderful place to be and a difficult place to envision a radical, grace give and whole hearted Christian faith. This series of the A-Z of discipleship will help us try and narrow down a few key concepts of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus in the 21st century.

Biblical

Biblical discipleship should form the foundation for our model of discipleship in the 21st century. Sometimes it easy to justify away or simple ignore the truths that are set before us in bible. In our culture where the bible is being watered down by a culture that in a majority of places views it as out of date and unequivocally boring. We need to however not loose sight of the important place of the bible in 21st century discipleship.

Biblical discipleship is a key element of a fully functioning and complete guide to discipleship. We see in the bible an over arching meta narrative of a God who loves his people and wants to be involved in their lives. We also see the ordinary radicals striving to follow the call of God on their lives. It is important to gain guidance in our discipleship but also encouragement from the people that have gone before us, and their wisdom and knowledge.

The bible contains some of the most wonderful and beautiful stories of love, betrayal and hope. We can use these wonderful teachings and guidance to build a discipleship that is life-giving, risk taking and radical in a culture that just think our faith is life enhancing, safe and boring. A faith that is more likely to be found in the self help section of a book store than religious section.

I love this as an example of what the church should be like. The way that it draws people in and connects people. Passers by don’t like incredibly uncomfortable or out of place instead they become involved and enjoy the creativity of the moment.

Let me know what you think…

Most churches hold the service in the New Year, but some hold them in September, at the beginning of the Methodist year.

The traditional Covenant prayer (shown below) makes it very clear that this affirmation is a serious one that embraces the whole of our life, in all its parts. Most people find it quite tough to say, and really mean it. But the prayer is so central to the Christian life that other Churches have also adopted it. In our culture we tend to prize our ability to make decisions and choose our own path in life. It can feel very hard to give that up. But this prayer is like a love poem. It is about surrendering to God in love and joy.

I am no longer my own but yours. Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will; put me to doing, put me to suffering; let me be employed for you or laid aside for you, exalted for you or brought low for you; let me be full, let me be empty,let me have all things, let me have nothing; I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to your pleasure and disposal.

Glorious and blessed God,Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are mine and I am yours. So be it. Let this covenant now made on earth be fulfilled in heaven. Amen.

The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.

The 21st century is strange and wonderful place to be and a difficult place to envision a radical, grace give and whole hearted Christian faith. This series of the A-Z of discipleship will help us try and narrow down a few key concepts of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus in the 21st century.

Authentic

Have you ever heard about the guy who walked a tight rope across Niagra Falls? Many people watched him do it. To them he asked, “Do you believe I can walk a tight rope across the Falls?” They all replied, “Yes.” They had already seen him do it. 

Then he pushed a wheel barrow on a tight rope across Niagra Falls. When he completed the feat, he asked the onlookers, “Do you believe I can walk a tight rope across the Falls pushing a wheel barrow?” To that they replied unanimously, “Yes.” Because they saw him do that too. 

Finally, a buddy of the tight rope walker climbs into the wheel barrow and the tight rope walker pushes him across the Falls. Wow, what a daring feat! When they finished, the tight rope walker asked the crowd, “Do you believe I can walk a tight rope across the Falls pushing a wheel barrow with a person in it?” To that they exclaimed, “Yes!” For they were now believers in this guy’s awesome abilities. 

Then he looked at the crowd and asked, “Who’s next?”

Authenticity is key element of discipleship. Just like the man who asked people get in the wheel barrow God asked us to take the first step onto the tight rope andfollow him. Discipleship begins with us making an honest decision to step out of comfort-zone. Authentic discipleship is about trust, both being a trustworthy disciple but also that others can trust you.

Authenticity is foremost because we have to want to do if we are ever to take on this brave and brutal task. Life is not easy and it takes it toll on you and your relationship with God.

I wonder if McDonald’s realise how spiritual this ad actually is. I love it. I find myself being drawn in to emphasise with the young guy. It is quite an ad for an American company. For McDonald’s to be drawn into the hot topic is quite a statement.

I truly believe that this whole ad campaign has a massive effect on the way people will view the homosexual debate. Will it become publicly cool to be gay. Will ‘the boys’ stop the gay playground mocking? I do wonder if the church is going to be challenged to shape up and analyse the phrase ‘all are welcome’.