Churches are often categorized by the focus of their ministry. One of today’s most frequently used ways to describe various styles of services is wrapped around the word “seeker.” You can be “seeker driven.” Most define this as doing everything to reach non-believers! You can be “seeker friendly.” This implies that unbelievers are always considered in the planning and preparation of services. You can also be “seeker sensitive.” It’s usually means that less attention to an unbelieving presence, but an effort not to offend anyone is made. I think this stereotyping misses the entire point of Jesus command to “make disciples.”
In defining the process of making a disciple the Dictionary of Jesus and the Apostles says, “The obvious meaning of ‘making disciples’ is to proclaim the gospel message among those who have not yet received forgiveness of sins.” Although this might not be as full a definition of “making disciples” as I’d use, it does focus on the vital need of reaching unbelievers with the truth of the Gospel message. When writing to the Romans, Paul expressed his personal desire to focus his attention on proclaiming Christ to non-believers. In Romans 15:20, Paul says, “But I have always tried to preach where people have never heard about Christ.” We too should share that passion with Paul. You and I are disciples in the line of apostolic succession. From their efforts the early Church fathers became disciples and made disciples and that process continued all the way down to you and me! Jesus’ final words in Matthew 28:19 were spoken to the Apostles but also to us: “Go, make disciples…” We must not drop the baton!
Romans 3:11 says, “There is none that seeks after God…” Jesus is the seeker. C.S. Lewis said, “I never had the experience of looking for God. It was the other way around. He was the hunter and I was the deer. He stalked me, took unerring aim and fired.” As followers of Jesus we must be “seeker” sensitive. I want to do what the “seeker” wants me to do. I hope my heart and mind is sensitive to everything He says! We must also be “seeker friendly” because the seeker calls us his friends. I’m a friend to the one who has commissioned me to preach the gospel among those who have not heard the message of forgiveness of sins. Further, I think we must be “seeker driven” also. David Jeremiah agrees with this and says, “My whole life is motivated and energized by the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the driving force in my life. He is the reason I get up in the morning and feel an urgency to minister in His name during the day.” He said, “as the father sent me, so I send you.” He also said “I came to seek” and to save those that are lost. We must similarly focus! To be a true disciple of Jesus, we too must become those who seek to save those who are lost.