What Does Making Disciples Look Like?

"What does making disciples look like?" Guest preacher, Keenan Barber, asked us, as he strode across the length of the carpeted front stage at Bel Air Presbyterian Church this past Sunday. He didn't have an answer. Or he did, but his answer wasn't one that was particularly satisfying. It certainly couldn't be used in a multiple choice exam. Possibly, an open-ended essay question, but not a fill-in-the-blank or fill-in-the-correct-bubble type test. His answer was, quite simply, there is no proper, black and white way of making disciples.

In Matthew 28, when Jesus announces to the eleven disciples to "go and make disciples of all of the nations," He doesn't provide them with a pretty corresponding picture or leave them a how-to guide on what that means. In the current imagination, many perceive it to be something along the lines of Bible-thumping out at the Venice boardwalk, or knocking on doors, but that's only a small piece of a much bigger pie. (And coincidentally, a piece of pie that I don't feel much inclined to eat.)

For months, Pastor Mark Brewer at Bel Air Pres, has been preaching the message that the collective body of the church has a duty as Christians to "spread the good word" -- to make Los Angeles the greatest city for Christ. And for months, I have been struggling with my role in that mission. How can I, an imperfect, materialistic 20-something, share my faith with other people in a way that won't make them look at me and think, "Mandy Moore in Saved" or "Crazy Jesus freak?"

I didn't want to be a Bible-thumper. I didn't want to walk around calling out to anyone who would listen that "Jesus loves you!" I thought it would be enough if I just practiced what Jesus preached -- ie. to treat others like I want to be treated, to share a smile with strangers, to be a good friend, good sister, etc. I thought that by showing love to other people, I would be serving witness to Jesus' love by extension.

Despite my best intentions to wear my faith on my sleeve, I haven't been able to shake the feeling that I should be doing more. My self-consciousness has held me back, but I know that God wants me to use my talents and strengths to go beyond merely holding a door open for someone. As I sat a church on Sunday, playing with the hem of my skirt and listening to Keenan, I suddenly got "it."

"It" being the point he was trying to make. And "it" being how I could be a part of the discipleship pie. I don't have to run around my West Hollywood neighborhood in a giant cross costume to "make disciples" and "spread the good word." I have a built-in tool at my disposal -- my writing.

Being a Christian in Los Angeles is a challenge -- especially at my age. I find that I am often met with patronizing looks when I reveal that I am religious. I can practically see the miniature "Jesus freaks" dancing through their heads as they size me up and categorize me as "one of those." But I also know that I am not alone in my struggle to live a Christ-like life in the smoggy city. I know that there are others my age out there too -- dealing with the same every day obstacles that I encounter. The intent of my blog, "Leaving Bread Crumbs" is not necessarily to convince non-believers to convert and declare Jesus Christ their Savior, Hallelujah, Amen, but rather to catalogue my struggles, and my daily experiences as a young Christian woman living in Los Angeles.

I am not perfect. I am constantly screwing up, making poor decisions, and doing things that make me cringe and obsess about what I could have done differently. But those mistakes, those bread crumbs I make out of the "daily bread" I receive from God, are what strengthen my faith. They are the foundation for my spiritual growth. It is my hope that these "bread crumbs," and this blog, will resonate with whoever may stumble upon them.