Francis Chan and David Platt in talking about disciple making made the point that individuals have to stay focused on Christ….Keep pushing them toward relationship with him….Otherwise they will be tempted to become dependent on us as disciplers. Make Christ central!!! I see that again and again in recovery ministry. If an individual will not understand the gospel and move toward attachment to God, but rather wants to attach to me or others, the focus, motive, and attitude is not compatible with what we are doing here. As ministers of the gospel we are not about making individuals dependent upon us and what we offer….Our task is to point them always to the sufficiency of Christ in their lives for whatever they need. That will ultimately also lead them into healthy interdependence in Christian community and good, mutually supportive relationships.
Individuals are to “grow up into Christ.” If one simply wants me or others to be her mother, her nanny, her caregiver, her probation officer, her rescuer, her savior, or her co-dependent enabler, I have to tell her, “No, you are not ready for this program.” Grow up. We will help you. We will give you the support you need until you are able to move forward in confidence, assimilated into healthy community. CBB 1/21/22