Scripture: Matthew 14:14; 15:32;20:34; Mark 1:41; Luke 6:12,13; 16:19-31; 17:4,5; 18:9-14; Colossians 1:14; 1 Timothy 5:16.

Last week Christians around the world celebrated Jesus last days on earth. At some churches this past weekend it was hard to find a parking space or place to sit in the sanctuary. Easter is a time churches can expect to see unfamiliar faces.

According to the Urban Dictionary people who worship in a church for the two major Christian holidays, Christmas and Easter, are known as “Chreasters”, or CEO’s (Christmas and Easter Only) or C&E’s. ^{1, 2}

When asked why they attend just two church services each year they respond with a variety of reasons. Could it be that attendance is higher those two holidays because they can count on the focus of the entire church service being on Jesus?

For the past three months we have been studying lessons from the life of Jesus with the goal of seeing patterns and applications of discipleship that we can apply in the twenty-first century that fit Jesus’ model.

While we do not have the advantage of face-to-face communication with Jesus today as the first disciples did, we do have Jesus’ pattern of outreach and training as our example. We can also view the discipleship ministries recorded in Scripture by the ones that Jesus personally trained? These accounts help us fashion our own discipleship ministries appropriately.

As the life of a popular presidential candidate is being scrutinized, his former pastor’s rhetoric and disciple-making style has surfaced on YouTube. As of March 24, 2008 one video clip had been viewed 633,657 times. ³

Is the candidate one of Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright’s disciples? The candidate clarified his position publicly last week.

Jesus modeled compassion and forgiveness, cared for the ostracized and marginalized, confronted discrimination yet valued diversity. Jesus relied on the power of prayer and the need for the comfort of the Holy Spirit. People followed Jesus because of who Jesus was not because of any gimmick given them.

Another preacher’s style of discipleship is causing controversy in some circles this week. Pastor Ronnie Hill has been a traveling evangelist for the past 20 years preaching at such venues as NASCAR races and motorcycle rallies. He has offered many unusual incentives to get people to listen to his three minute testimony. None of the incentives have been quite as spectacular as the one he is offering now, the chance to win a new Dodge truck, Jeep Wrangler or Chrysler 300. All one has to do is log onto his website, listen to his three minute story and sign up one time for the chance to win the vehicle during the December 2008 drawing. To enter one does not have to pray a prayer for salvation but Pastor Hill hopes that those who have never committed their life to Jesus will say one. ⁴

The pattern of discipleship that God requires of us today does not necessitate that we log onto the web. We need only to communicate with Jesus daily and model our life after a life of compassion for others. Becoming one of Jesus’ disciples is recognition of Jesus’ sacrifice, atonement and forgiveness of our sins.  We don't have to wait until Easter to tell others about the One who covered our sins—and theirs-- by Jesus’ cruel death on a cross, Jesus’ day of rest, and Jesus’ glorious resurrection!    ~ck

1. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=chreaster

2. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=ceos

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUbUBTlmAiA&feature=related

4. http://www.threeminutestory.com

 Creative Ministry Center.   www.creativeministry.org