01/06/2011
Author: John Powell
When Larz Welo, from FEFC serving in Southeast Asia, recently visited Las Cruces, we invited him to speak as part of our ABF (ADULT BIBLE FELLOWSHIP) series on church-wide disciplemaking. Larz spent some of his report-time describing how he moved through the four phases of discipleship and who was involved with him during each step.
For background, Jesus gave four invitations to his disciples through these phases. First, after Jesus was declared to be the “Lamb of God” (John 1:38, 39) who would take away the sin of the world some became curious and asked where Jesus was hanging out. His invitation was “Come and See!” Then (1:46) the disciples themselves invited others to “Come and See!” So to the curious today we say “Come and See!” and provide many opportunities through our youth, college, and international ministries for people to just hang out and watch the body of Christ in action.
As the curious became convinced, Jesus invited them to “Come and Follow” (Matt 9:9; Mk. 1:16-20). At this stage of discipleship, the basics of Bible study and memory, prayer and other disciplines are learned. Using both the classroom and
1-2-1 models, John Gwin linked his life to Larz, as he has with many who have grown up in FEFC and moved into this stage as young people. (As pastor, I focus on the adults during this phase, using the Milk and Meat series.)
As the followers became committed, Jesus said, “Come and be with Me” (Lk. 6:12-16, Mk. 3:14). When Larz was in High School I worked with John Pickering, our missionary to Mongolia, to set up our first summer mission to Mongolia (Annie Rose Taylor went later). Larz was ready to begin apprenticeship and start working on a team. Reviewing Larz’ mission, John declared Larz stood out among team members for his eagerness and willingness to be with Mongolians, eat their food and sharing their lives.
Larz described himself as an “angry young man” during that time period. It took several people interacting with him as he learned to deal with his family relationships, and interact with other teenagers. Teri Olson reminded us of an EFCA Nationals youth trip when, after she disciplined him for behavior during the return trip, Larz called her and said, “thank you, I deserved that.” Even through his struggles, Larz revealed a teachable heart. And God used Larz to refine the disciplers! As a youth leader recalled her frustration with Larz’ attitude in a small group for hurting teens, she remembered how God used Larz to teach her about mercy and to change her own attitude.
As we grow through these interactions we face the transition to Jesus’ fourth invitation to “Go and remain in Me” (Matt. 28:18-20). After going to Biola University and meeting and marrying Karen, Larz returned to Las Cruces to be commissioned by us into this phase. While most will live out this phase working as “laypeople” in the USA, he was called to overseas. Working with Pioneers (Don Kelly and I traveled to Orlando and met with the mission team), we developed an internship so Pastor Gordon and I could help him focus and grow in working on a team. As he described during his recent visit, those were challenging days when the rough edges were being filed off. Frank discussions were frequent.
And as is true of all of us who have been deployed to become leaders on the disciplemaking team we need ongoing accountability for the long haul, for the disciplemakers need to keep growing, just like those they lead. And now Larz has moved fully into the role of disciplemaker. Not only is he part of a team, he has become team leader, discipling others to become team members. And through Karen and the Pioneers and FEFC leadership, Larz maintains accountability for continued “remaining in Christ.”
Yes, it takes a church. Disciplemaking is a team sport! No Lone Rangers here! Thanks, Larz for being willing to be the featured guest in this article. Thanks to all who take ownership on the disciplemaking team called First Evangelical Free Church of Las Cruces.
