There was once a vibrant church nestled in the heart of a bustling suburban town. Decades ago, it was known for its warm community, biblical teaching, and a passion for reaching the lost. The sanctuary once echoed with joyful songs and the testimonies of transformed lives. But slowly, almost imperceptibly, something shifted. Attendance declined, outreach waned, and prayer meetings grew sparse. The church remained orthodox in its beliefs—no heresy crept in, but a coldness settled over the congregation. They were doing “church,” but had lost the why behind it all. Their doctrine remained intact, but their mission had faded into the background.
This story is not isolated. It could describe dozens of churches across the country. Could it even describe Fairlane? What if we’ve settled into patterns of spiritual
maintenance, content to manage what already exists, while neglecting the very heartbeat of Christ’s call? What if Fairlane could be the spark for a discipleship renewal, not only in our community but across our region?
The forgotten mission is not about programs, preferences, or preservation. It’s about purpose. And that purpose is found in the Great Commission: to make disciples of all nations. Rediscovering that mission is not just an idea for church leaders, it’s a spiritual awakening for the whole body.
Discipleship Defined: A Biblical Mandate
Discipleship is not a church growth strategy or a trendy ministry focus. It is the central command of Jesus Christ to His followers. In Matthew 28:18–20, often referred to as the Great Commission, Jesus gave clear, authoritative marching orders:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Here, Jesus doesn’t just call His followers to believe, but to make believers—disciples who learn from Him, live for Him, and reproduce others in faith. Notice the active verbs: go, make, baptize, teach. These are not optional add-ons to the Christian life; they define the Christian life.
The word “disciple” (Greek: mathētēs) means “learner” or “follower.” Discipleship involves transformation, not just information. Spiritual formation, in this context, is the ongoing process by which we are conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others. It is life-on-life, Spirit-driven, and deeply rooted in obedience to Jesus.
Discipleship Is Not Optional
Too often, discipleship is treated as an optional track for the “really committed” Christians—the ones who go to Bible study, serve in leadership, or go on mission trips. But in the biblical narrative, there is no category for a Christian who is not a disciple. Jesus never invited anyone to a nominal faith. His call was radical, holistic, and costly.
To follow Christ is to become like Him, and to help others do the same.
This is not just a mandate for pastors or missionaries. It’s a mission for every believer.
Paul echoes this in 2 Timothy 2:2:
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”
This is the spiritual relay race of the faith, passing the baton of the gospel to the next
generation of disciples.
From Mission to Maintenance: What Happened?
If discipleship is so central, how did we drift so far from it?
Many churches, including Fairlane, have slipped into maintenance mode. Instead of seeing themselves as missionary communities, they function like religious institutions, busy with programs but lacking purpose. There are several reasons for this drift:
- Comfort Over Challenge – In a culture of convenience, it’s easier to maintain
what we have than to engage the world outside our walls. - Consumer Christianity – When church is seen primarily as a provider of
spiritual goods, members become passive recipients rather than active disciple-
makers. - Lack of Vision – Without a clear, compelling picture of biblical discipleship,
churches settle for attendance over transformation. - Leadership Burnout – When the weight of disciple-making falls solely on
pastors or staff, the body remains underdeveloped and dependent.
In Acts 2:42–47, we see a radically different picture:
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being
saved.”
The early church didn’t drift into maintenance, they moved in mission. Their spiritual
formation was communal, intentional, and contagious.
The Baton of Faith: An Illustration
Imagine a relay race, four runners, one team, one baton.
The success of the race doesn’t depend solely on the fastest runner, but on the successful passing of the baton. One fumble can cost the race. Discipleship is the
baton. Each generation of believers must receive it, carry it, and faithfully pass it on.
Too often, the baton is dropped because churches stop running. They rest in tradition,
they fear change, or they simply forget the mission.
In the spiritual race, we are not just called to run, we are called to relay. The faith we
have received is not a private treasure, but a public trust. Paul reminded the Corinthian
church:
“Run in such a way as to get the prize… They do it to get a crown that will not last, but
we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” (1 Cor. 9:24–25)
We must rekindle our passion, not for religious activities, but for kingdom multiplication.
Conclusion: Reawaken the Mission
Fairlane has a legacy of faithful teaching, generous service, and community impact. But our future depends not on preserving the past, but on embracing the mission Jesus gave us.
The call is not to restart programs but to rediscover purpose. To be a disciple-making
church, every member must ask:
- Who is pouring into me spiritually?
- Who am I pouring into?
- How can I help others follow Jesus more faithfully?
This is not a side mission—it is the mission. It’s time to reawaken, refocus, and
reengage.
Let Fairlane be the church that doesn’t drop the baton. Let us be the community that remembers what it means to follow Jesus together, to form Christ in one another, and to reach the world with His love.