I was recently listening to a leadership podcast that featured Todd Adkins, the Director of Leadership at Lifeway. In the discussion, Todd made a statement that was profound. He said that as pastors, we often spend most of our effort and energy on building an audience. But then Todd said, “We must build an army, not just an audience.”
There is so much wisdom in his statement. Let’s face it. It’s fairly easy to build an audience. Just create a production and a show that pleases the masses and makes people feel good when they leave. Develop programs and ministries that people think they need. Crowds show up and the audience grows.
However, I’m pretty sure that’s not what Jesus commanded the church to do. That’s not even what Jesus did Himself. The Great Commission gives us as leaders the mandate to make disciples, not attenders.
While we may struggle with how our church defines success, there can’t be any doubt or uncertainty in our minds. Success is defined by Jesus as making disciples who make disciples.
And when we make disciples and develop leaders through disciple-making, we are actually building an army. An army that is bought it. An army that gets it. An army of ministers, workers, leaders, and disciple-makers. That is what it’s all about!
So, the question Todd asks is one that we should all ask ourselves: Am I building an audience or an army?
