What Grows Disciples?

There is an interesting article over at the Christianity Today blog. It concerns a multi-year study done by influential mega-church Willow Creek to determine the value of its program-driven philosophy of ministry to grow professing Christians into mature disciples of Christ. According to Willow Creek pastor Bill Hybels,

Some of the stuff that we have put millions of dollars into thinking it would really help our people grow and develop spiritually, when the data actually came back it wasn’t helping people that much. Other things that we didn’t put that much money into and didn’t put much staff against is stuff our people are crying out for.

What Hybels concluded is,

We made a mistake. What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and become Christians, we should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become ‘self feeders.’ We should have gotten people, taught people, how to read their bible between service, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own.

While one wonders if this will bring about any serious shift in the philosophy of Willow Creek, it is encouraging, though not surprising, to find professing believers eventually “crying out” for something for which they sense a real need. So how has this “felt need” been met in the past? Anglican minister John Newton, counseling a young Christian on patiently persevering in spiritual growth, has this to say:

In a sense, we are often hindering him by our impatience and unbelief; but strictly speaking, when He really begins the good work, and gives us a desire which will be satisfied with nothing short of himself, He will not be hindered from carrying it on: for He has said, I will work, and none shall let it…. It is our part to be abased before him, and quietly to hope and wait for his salvation in the use of his appointed means. The power, success, and blessing, are wholly from himself…. Men indeed often plan what, for want of skill or ability, or from unforeseen disappointments, they are unable to execute. But nothing can disappoint the heavenly Builder; nor will He ever be reproached with forsaking the work of his own hands, or beginning that which He could not or would not accomplish. Phil. 1:6. (Letters of John Newton, pp. 217-219, The Banner of Truth Trust, 2007, original emphasis)

Spiritual growth is the special work of the Lord. However, as Newton points out, we should be using the divinely appointed means of Bible reading, prayer, worship, service, etc. to strive toward maturity and, at the same time, be trusting the Lord to provide in due time what He has promised. Growth is gradual, and, eventually, we will begin to notice lasting changes in us that can be ascribed only to the quiet, inner working of the Lord. Believers need to be taught this, and the programs should be developed as the need arises to help Christians in the use of these time-tested means.

I’d like to commend to you the Letters of John Newton for rich scriptural counseling. Whether you are in the position of needing good counsel or the position of providing counsel to others, Newton will help you. He always points the reader to the Scriptures and has a well-rounded view of scriptural teaching.

Thanks to Justin Taylor for the tip about the Christianity Today article.

What other solid works on Christian growth would you recommend?

What Grows Disciples?