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does not know God. This type of attender is a churchgoer and not
a true disciple (yet) and is not a Christian (yet). From the age of six
until seventeen years old, I was such an attender at a high Anglican
church every Sunday morning. I assisted the priest at this church
as a candle boy and acolyte. But I did not know Jesus and I never
heard the gospel proclaimed once in all those years. I was lost in
this church even though there was much love and kindness among
the people there.
Witnesses
This kind of disciple participates in Christian gatherings and shares
the gospel to those who do not know God or Jesus. The witness
does not train the people they reach. Instead, they just bring people
back to the church or gathering to be fed spiritually in the church
service. This growth is by addition. Growth by addition is better
than no growth. But these new disciples now in the church are not
making disciples themselves, nor are they becoming trainers. My
good friend Steve Oliver and I discussed the four kinds of disciples.
Having clearly understood the different types he confessed that at
least sixty per cent of people at his church are just attenders.
It is a catastrophe that most Christians in the world are attenders.
This fact is my observation and experience over many decades as
I have ministered across the United Kingdom, several countries in
Europe and three countries in Africa. Christians and the church
need urgent restoration, revival and transformation.
Like a mighty tortoise moves the church of God, and in the wrong
direction or way. The church and Christians in the New Testament
were not just attenders or witnesses or starters.
Starters
This kind of disciple shares the gospel and they take responsibility
for their spiritual children. The starter does not just hand them
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