CONSIDERING “SIX MARKS OF DISCIPLESHIP”

Michael Foss is the pastor for the Prince of Peace Lutheran church in Burnsville, Minnesota.  He has written a book entitled Power Surge: Six Marks of Discipleship for a Changing Church. One of the main reasons he wrote the book was because he saw a great contrast between the membership-driven church and the discipleship-driven church. He contends that some churches seem to be growing for growth’s sake and have lost the goal of developing as strong, spiritual communities. He says the membership-driven church seems only to care for maintaining itself. He says the “clergy” who serve those churches can only expect to suffer burnout trying to live up to everyone’s ever-increasing expectations. He also points out that the membership-driven church often produces exclusivity, instead of the Biblical inclusivity of discipleship.

With that in mind, he came up with six marks of discipleship which he felt every member of his congregation should live up to. So that his membership can remember these six marks, he has engraved them on cards that every member carries. They are used to help clarify and define every relationship in their church, including those among staff members. They are:

1.  Pray daily.

2.  Worship weekly.

3.  Read the Bible.

4.  Serve at and beyond the Prince of Peace.

5.  Be in relationship with others to encourage spiritual growth.

6.  Give of my time, talent, and resources.

Aren’t these marks right on target? The only thing I would change would be to exchange Parkway for the church indicated. These six marks are good reminders for all of us. Living the Christian life is more than a social gathering once a week. It is a commitment of all we have and are to the One who gave His life for us. (Luke 14:26-35) We won’t need cards to remind us of this fact if our hearts are committed to Him like He is to us!