Ministries
Making Disciples, Transforming Congregations By Osvaldo Rigacci, Southwestern Union Vice President for Multicultural Ministries
Matthew 28:19 says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” We were not called to make “members,” but rather to specifically and evidently make “disciples.” It is them, those that we disciple, whom we will baptize and teach in preparation for the advent of our Lord Jesus. The categorization of “member” does not help our movement, but rather favors the institutionalization of the spiritual experience of individuals and of our churches. The understanding of the call, the acceptance and the decision to follow Jesus, the joy of learning from Him, opting to imitate Him, reflecting His character, the commitment to the entrusted mission and the completion of the work—all of this only makes sense within the framework of discipleship, as a privilege of our relationship with Christ. In contrast, none of this is possible in the context of membership. Members
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do not need to change and improve; however, those who follow Jesus as His disciples always experience transformation and growth. We want to lead individuals and congregations to a healthy, dynamic and joyful experience in Christ under a new paradigm. The Southwestern Union Discipleship Project seeks to do that within the framework of the “3 C’s Strategy.” The initiative, in its concept and in its practice, challenges us to be disciples of Christ Jesus, living and behaving as disciples, but, above all, shining as disciples to glorify our Master and prepare ourselves and others for His glorious coming. The purpose: to intentionally develop and grow our participants, congregations and territories. This dynamic places Christ in the center, and we live consecrated to Christ. In Christ, we live with compassion towards others, especially towards those we want to reach for
His kingdom. So, in Christ we commit ourselves to the mission, to the church and to the completion of the work.
A strategy of 3 C’s comes from the fact that there can be no Christian discipleship without consecration to Christ, through connection, communion and dependence on Jesus.
Consecrated to Him, we are in an ideal position to feel compassion for others others, which moves us to take an interest in their needs and help them through service.
