Pastor of Multi-Ethnic Church Gives 8 Reasons, Remedies for Discipleship Problem

Pastor of Multi-Ethnic Church Gives 8 Reasons, Remedies for Discipleship Problem
(Photo: Derwin Gray) Derwin L. Gray, the founding and lead pastor of Transformation Church located in Fort Mill, SC, said that his conviction to see churches become more ethnically diverse comes straight from the Bible, October 2011.

(Photo: Derwin Gray)
Derwin L. Gray, the founding and lead pastor of Transformation Church located in Fort Mill, SC, said that his conviction to see churches become more ethnically diverse comes straight from the Bible, October 2011.

By Alex Murashko , Christian Post Reporter
Pastor Derwin L. Gray of Transformation Church in Indian Land, S.C., is one of a growing number of Christian leaders in America who want to see churches do a better job of teaching discipleship in order to develop multi-ethnic congregations. The former NFL linebacker said that a key to helping Christians mature within churches that are struggling is to model after the ethnically diverse churches of the first century.

“As a pastor of an intentional, Gospel-centered, multi-ethnic church, the biggest problem is getting our people to believe that the Gospel of Grace is really as wonderfull as it is,” Gray told The Christian Post via email. “Because we are ethnically, socially, economically, and generationally diverse, we are constantly teaching our people that at the heart of the Gospel, is servanthood.”

He believes Christians should ask, “How can we embrace one another and learn from one another just like ethnically diverse churches of the 1st Century?” Adding, “Unity in the midst of diversity is simply breath-taking and a powerful witness to the unbelieving world.”
Gray, who will be speaking on the same subject at a major Christian leadership conference later this year, blogged recently on the topic in his post titled, “Why the Church Has a Discipleship Problem – 8 Reasons and 8 Remedies.” He told CP the blog has “hit a nerve” and has more views than any other blog he has written.

When asked by CP about why the issue of discipleship was important to the typical churchgoer, he answered, “It is vital people grow in grace because the Gospel, in essence is Jesus offering humanity our humanity back. To be conformed into the image of Jesus is the restoration of our humanity. And as we are restored as humans, we fulfill our purpose as children of God who advance their Father’s Kingdom on earth through our lives.”
Gray said problems with discipleship occur when Christians don’t realize they are the people of God on mission with God, and approach God as consumers instead of co-laborers.

Categories: Church & Ministries

About Author

Write a Comment

Your e-mail address will not be published.
Required fields are marked*