Disciples or a "Church"

DISCIPLES OR A "CHURCH?" [Excerpts]

To phrase the question as stated above implies it is ‘one or the other’. That is surely not the desire of any serious cross-cultural missionary. No one intends to leave baby Christians floundering without competent spiritual leaders who can instruct them towards maturity in Christ. That needs to be stated clearly. Yet today we see a clear shift in the focus of many missionary endeavors that [result in] a tragically common outcome.

Moving beyond making disciples to actually planting a church takes an investment in time that goes much further than evangelism and teaching the basics. In some ways it is similar to parents bringing a child into the world, the “work” is only beginning!...But most parents will commonly see their “work” completed when that child has his own family and is functioning in his larger society.

The NT sees continued healthy propagation and "body life" as the norm for the Christ follower. The autonomous “Christian” that we in the West find so common is not what Paul was endorsing or even silent on. Expectations of corporate life were everywhere from Pentecost onwards (Acts:2:42-47 [42] And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. [43] And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. [44] And all that believed were together, and had all things common; [45] And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. [46] And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, [47] Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
See All...). The NT is rich and vivid in describing the ongoing realities of body life: the integration of our gifts, our sharing, our encouraging, worshipping and the sending out of missionaries.

The Church, or “the church,” is not an after thought. It is not merely a “nice idea if it works out.” The Apostle Paul states in Eph:3:10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
See All...  “...so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”  What the Universal Church shows to a watching universe, so the local church witnesses to a watching community.

Space does not allow me to present the special place in the heart of our Savior that His love for “the church” occupies. Possibly in the love of husband and wife relationship (Eph:5:25-32 [25] Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; [26] That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, [27] That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. [28] So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. [29] For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: [30] For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. [31] For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. [32] This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
See All...) do we come closest to knowing how precious to our Lord is that body of local believers who are living out forgiveness, bearing each others burdens, sharing with each other, who are committed to each other, growing in grace and knowledge of Him, and worshipping together. To leave believers in Christ before they are yoked up with such a community, or developed into such a community, is just too close to abandoning my children when they were 5 years old….Our expectations must be in line with Paul who stated clearly that his responsibility to the Ephesians had been fulfilled, “…I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God” (Acts:20:26Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
See All...,27).

Today local sending churches cannot assume missionaries have planting a healthy reproducing church as their unquestioned goal. "New exciting methods" have been "discovered." Some "new discoveries" make the long-term care, modeling, and teaching previously seen as the norm now look excessively plodding.  Who does not want instant maturity? But "quick maturity" is a mirage, “Lay hands quickly on no man” Paul states…with a reason. I can only compare it to the idea of parents pushing their kids into full time employment at 5 years old because “this will make them tougher.” That is not the care, nurturing, or heart of the Father that we see in scripture. If we are going to bring folks to Christ there must be an equal commitment to bring them to maturity.

(Brad Buser, "Disciples or a 'Church'," The Radius Report, Radius International, 3/4/16).