Sam Persons Parkes

“When you notice people dealing with the concrete realities of their lives through the practices of prayer and holy reading, it is a clue you have entered a culture of discipleship.”
― Michael W. Foss, Power Surge: Six Marks Of Discipleship For A Changing Church

“Getting used to the new alignments of roles and responsibilities required by the discipleship model is admittedly difficult. The congregational culture is shocked, and people feel a sense of dislocation. Pastors may understandably begin to feel marginalized and threatened when they discover that areas of ministry that have been expected of them in the past can actually be done better by others. Lay disciples may feel insecure and uneasy—if not inappropriate!—as they step across boundaries into areas of ministry that have been largely reserved for pastors. All need to be reminded repeatedly that discipleship is a matter of calling, giftedness, and training—not title or position.”
― Michael W. Foss, Power Surge: Six Marks Of Discipleship For A Changing Church

“Over the years, I have time and again invited folks who have been worshiping with us and contributing in many ways to the life of the congregation to join, only to be asked, “What do I get as a member that I don’t get now?” Membership is about getting; discipleship is about giving. Membership is about dues; discipleship is about stewardship. Membership is about belonging to a select group with its privileges and prerogatives; discipleship is about changing and shaping lives by the grace of God.”
― Michael W. Foss, Power Surge: Six Marks Of Discipleship For A Changing Church

“The problem is, of course, that the functions of leadership are not well understood. Leaders, according to John Kotter of the Harvard Business School, function quite differently from managers. Leaders are responsible to provide vision, raise up other leaders, and create useful change. Managers, however, maintain the present system and seek to enhance it. Sadly, most church leaders are, in reality, managers.”
― Michael W. Foss, Power Surge: Six Marks Of Discipleship For A Changing Church