Helping Church Goers Become Holy, Not Just Happy

When we think about leadership in the church, it’s tempting to assume the goal is to keep everyone happy. But happiness, while pleasant, isn’t the ultimate aim. The true calling of church leadership is to guide people toward holiness—helping them deepen their faith, experience God’s love, and grow in living out their beliefs. This isn’t about rigid rules or forcing people into a mold; it’s about creating an environment where systematic theological growth, personal disciplines, a strong understanding of Christ, and biblical priorities can flourish.

Strategic Leadership for Growth

Strategic leadership plays a key role here. It’s about designing structures that serve these purposes and maximize their impact—not just within the church, but in the surrounding community as well. Rather than squeezing people into preconceived frameworks, we should wrap those frameworks around the unique energies, visions, and gifts of the congregation. The goal? To align how we work and relate with the gospel we proclaim, making it visible and tangible in our lives.

The Command to Make Disciples

At its core, making disciples is a direct command from Jesus Himself. Before He ascended, He told His followers to “go and make disciples,” teaching others what they’d learned during their years with Him (Matthew 28:19-20). This wasn’t just for the twelve—it’s for us too. Discipleship is about simple obedience, and disciples, by definition, obey. It’s how we pass on the will and ways of God, something our culture has struggled to do well in many areas. In the church, we can’t afford to let this slide. Without serious discipleship, we risk raising a generation that doesn’t truly know God.

A Two-Way Journey

What’s beautiful about discipleship is that it’s a two-way street. It’s not just one person pouring knowledge into another; it’s about sharing life together. Both the mentor and the mentee grow in faith, maturity, and understanding. Age and experience might differ, but the relationship is mutually enriching. This is where the body of Christ shines—through discipleship, everyone gets to exercise their gifts, share their struggles, and build loving, supportive bonds. It’s not just about teaching the way of Jesus; it’s about living like Him. Jesus didn’t just lecture His disciples—He laughed with them, cried with them, and shared intimate moments that turned them into His family.

Spreading the Good News

Discipleship also matters because it’s God’s chosen method for spreading the Good News. Jesus spent over three years investing in His twelve, teaching them, sending them out, and preparing them for what was to come. He promised they’d do “even greater things” than He did (John 14:12), empowered by the Holy Spirit after His departure. And they did. On Pentecost, the Spirit came, and those disciples boldly proclaimed the gospel, turning the world upside down (Acts 17:6). Multitudes came to faith, churches sprang up across the Roman Empire, and the mission continued through history—from the Reformation to the New World.

The Mission Continues

That mission hasn’t changed. The command still stands: “Go and make disciples.” A disciple is someone who knows they’re saved (John 3:16), is empowered by the Holy Spirit (John 14:26-27), grows in grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18), and carries Christ’s heart for the lost (Matthew 9:37-38). The harvest is still plentiful, and the workers are still few. So, what are we doing about it?