We talk about discipleship quite a lot, saying it’s our main goal and vision here. But practically, what does that look like? Discipleship is generally slow, unexciting to read about, and the fruit doesn’t tend to pop out at you like, say, a healing miracle, or a new roof for a widow. It is purely unquantifiable and takes time.
Last week, Scott and Eric met with a man, Chivambo, the potential next pastor of a local church. The Jesus-loving woman pastor of that church died last year, leaving it leaderless until now. They started out with questions like, “How are you saved? How long have you been saved,” etc., and received many of the common answers, demonstrating a lack of understanding and the need for discipleship.
Eric started with, “How long have you been saved?”
“I don’t understand the question.”
“How long have you been saved—how long have you known Jesus?” He reiterated.
“You mean how long have I gone to an Iris church?” Chivambo continued on by giving a history of all the churches he’s attended.
Eric rephrased, “If someone came to your church and said, ‘Pastor, what must I do to be saved?’ What would you say?”
He answered, “Obey the Ten Commandments.”
So they shared the gospel with him. Only Jesus saves, not following the Ten Commandments or going to church. “Oh, I see!” He said as he reiterated what they spoke about, lights coming on. The humility in Chivambo was so humbling and beautiful to see. Here is this old man, decades past both Eric and Scott, having spent decades in church also, receiving what amounts to a total reworking of his understanding of salvation and the reason he goes to church.
They will meet with him again tomorrow morning and more meetings will follow. We pray that the simplicity, purity, and power of the gospel will take hold of both Chivambo and our church in Macharote!