Programs

A modern church tends to be based on an effective set of programs. Programs are useful if they provide people with life skills that they need, but programs do not make a church. They do not join the body together, so that it builds itself in love (Eph 4:14-16). People can come from all over the city to attend a program. Most will not know each other very well. While they are on the program, they will get to know each other better. Those with a strong relationship before they joined the program will find their relationship is strengthened. A few others may establish relationships, but most will just drift apart when the program has finished.

Discipleship has generally been replaced by a series of development programs. Instead of focusing on discipling new Christians and building relationships, elders have tended to be distracted by programs. If new Christians were discipled correctly, they should not need to participate in programs.

This post and my the next few are scraps that did not make it into my book.