A Holy Rest

Yes, I am fully aware of the Great Commission, however, is it not true in my life and many others like me – what Jesus calls us to do is rarely done. For many of us it is the Great Omission.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in^[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20  ESV

Here is basically what Jesus is saying – I have been given the final say over everything in heaven and on earth. Therefore, as I go making disciples, I am to make sure they are immersed in the presence of the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. While I think it is just matter of them getting wet while I say Their names, it is not. It means to immerse them in the reality of who They are. Once I have accomplished that, then I can go and teach/show in such a way – we can actually do what Jesus said. Hence we get the description for spiritual formation. I believe that this will fill me with joy and I will live in the easy yoke of Jesus, finding what He has asked me to do, easy, and yet a strong way to live.

I was very interested in reading a thesis by Rev. Obeng Adjei Sampson who is part of the Methodist church in Ghana. The African church has had a stronger growth of 7% every year and I was keen on his own observations as he wrote his thesis on Discipleship. They have what they call a “Class System.”   Basically it is what they call their discipleship process and all members are required to be a part of it. It follows the principle of the Great Commission – make disciples while you are going – baptising and teaching – and also encompassing evangelism. It would seem that they have come up with a statistical tool that allows them to understand both the qualitative and quantitative growth that should be taking place as a result of this answer to the call of ministry. Rev Sampson shared some signs of improved biblical understanding as well as social issues. Not enough to offset the very small numerical growth of 1.2% in the Effiduase Diocese compared to the rest of the country that held a 2.5% growth rate and hear this – the church was looking for a 20% growth rate over a five-year term. His theory of how to turn the failure around – there was a need for more evangelism and stricter requirement to attend Class meetings.

I appreciate what he thought should happen but I believe more fully that the church in Ghana, as the church in Canada from where I write from, have left out the amazing relationship we bring to our world of the Trinity and have failed to invite them into our world as we do the things we are asked to do and live the life we are asked to live. Spiritual formation in essence is the invitation God offers to walk with Him and in our context, the invitation of the Trinity to walk with Them.