This is the Way: Who Are We?

Sep 14

Nine weeks ago, Way of Christ began gathering with a simple desire: to follow Jesus together and see what God might build.

Since then, we’ve watched those early gatherings grow into something much more than a Sunday service. People are opening their homes and sharing meals. New volunteer teams are serving together. Our praise team is beginning to take shape. Around the Table, people are sharing their stories, praying for one another, and becoming known. And throughout Maury County, conversations and relationships are introducing new people to the Way.

Now we’re approaching another important season. Our Portable Church arrives in October, and on November 1 we’ll begin inviting our community more intentionally to join us. But before we focus on where we’re going and how we’ll get there, we need to be clear about something even more fundamental:

Who are we?

That question began our new series, This Is the Way.

A Simple Mission

Jesus did not leave his church guessing about its purpose. In Matthew 28:19–20, he gave his followers a clear mission: go and make disciples.

The church can do many good things, but those things must ultimately serve this central mission. Our goal is not simply to gather a crowd, hold worship services, build an organization, or create religious programs. We exist to make disciples of Jesus.

So what is a disciple?

Simply put, a disciple is an apprentice of Jesus—someone intentionally organizing their life around Jesus in order to be with him, become like him, and live as he lived.

Jesus also gave us a clear picture of what that life looks like. When asked about the greatest commandment, he answered: Love God with everything you are, and love your neighbor as yourself.

Put the Great Commission and the Greatest Commands together, and we find the simple mission that will keep Way of Christ focused:

Love God. Love People. Make Disciples.

Love God

Everything begins with learning to live in the presence of Jesus.

Before we can reproduce the life of Jesus in others, the life of Jesus must first be forming in us. Jesus called this abiding: “Abide in me, and I in you” (John 15:4).

Scripture, prayer, silence, worship, Sabbath, fasting, communion, generosity, and service aren't ways of earning God’s love. They are practices that help us make room for Jesus and allow his Spirit to form us.

The goal isn't simply to know more about Jesus. It is to learn to live every moment with Jesus.

Love People

But life with Jesus always changes the way we live with people.

We cannot become like Jesus without learning to love the people Jesus loves.

That means learning to listen well, speak with grace, handle conflict, practice hospitality, carry one another’s burdens, cross differences, forgive, and even love our enemies. These aren't simply good relationship skills. They are part of our formation as disciples because following Jesus means learning to practice his Way in our relationships with others.

Make Disciples

And a life with Jesus that is being shaped by love naturally begins to move outward.

When Jesus called his first disciples, he said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” That invitation gives us a simple picture of the whole journey:

Follow me. I will make you. Fishers of men.

We follow Jesus. Jesus changes us. Then we join Jesus in his mission.

At Way of Christ, we want to see that process form faithful apprentices, present neighbors, sent missionaries, and kingdom multipliers—ordinary people whose lives are increasingly centered on Jesus, who love the people God has placed around them, who see everyday life as their mission field, and who invest themselves in helping others follow Jesus.

This Is the Way

As we move toward November 1, we're excited about what is ahead. But our greatest goal isn't simply to launch a church, fill a room, or increase attendance.

Our goal is to make disciples who make disciples.

And that doesn't have to be complicated. As we have said from the beginning, disciple-making is friendship with a spiritual direction. It is ordinary people walking with Jesus and intentionally helping other people walk with him too.

We abide in Jesus.
We learn to love people.
We help others enter that same life with Jesus.