Do you know what a superfan is? You’ve likely seen one at your favourite game or on the 
replays in the news. Stereotypically, the superfan is decked out in full makeup, a crazy wig and garb replicating his team’s colours. He has noise makers and rallies a group of followers, ready to make a scene for the sake of loyalty. Or perhaps some take it all off and choose to make a run for it across the field before security hauls them away! Regardless, they are the superfans that are noticed every time – the cameras find them, the crowd eggs them on and the rest of us momentarily enjoy their antics.
When it comes to faith however, what is Jesus looking for? Fans or followers? Believers or disciples? You might read those words and answer ‘all of the above’. You wouldn’t be wrong as there are elements in each that are necessary but let’s dive deeper to decide what Jesus truly requires of us when we say we belong to Him.
The Fan
Imagine being at your favourite sporting event or perhaps the concert you’ve been waiting for. You are excited to be there because you thoroughly enjoy what is being offered and you can hardly wait for it to begin! You connect with this at a deep level which brings about all kinds of thoughts and feelings as you enter the experience of it. Joy, elation, anticipation, expectation…all of it rolls together, priming you for an unforgettable experience! When the team or artist appears, you are fully engaged and ready to take in every last detail. It’s going to be amazing!
What are the characteristics we see here?
- enthusiasm, encouragement, engagement
- loyalty, allegiance, promotion
- expenditure – jersey, merchandise, ticket, travel, etc.
Awesome!
The Follower
“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.” (Matt 4:18-20)
This passage tells us of Jesus’ calling of his first disciples. In New Testament times, it was not uncommon to ‘follow’ a rabbi or teacher. It was not like today however, where we hit a button on our phone and watch at a distance. This following required the disciple to leave everything behind and devote themselves completely to the lifestyle and teachings of the teacher. It meant they were committing to support and assist him in spreading his message.The goal was to become like him by living life together and gleaning all that could be learned in order to teach others. So then, to hear Jesus’ call to Peter and Andrew, it was neither a wild request nor a ridiculous response.
What do we see displayed for us?
- enthusiasm, encouragement, engagement
- loyalty, allegiance, promotion
- expenditure – loss of wage-earning, travel expense, time, energy
Vital Comparison
So at a glance, we see that the fan and follower are similar if not almost identical. They both find deep satisfaction and enjoyment. Both have a measure of loyalty and devotion. Both give of their time and money. So then why the question?
While there are similarities and even overlap, I am suggesting there becomes a grand chasm at further exploration. If faith were entertainment, a stadium of superfans would be incredible, but Jesus’ call was to far more than wearing his jersey and chanting his mantra in a crowd. He called Peter and Andrew to join him on a life changing, lifetime journey. He wasn’t cueing them up for a great night of entertainment but instead to set their hearts ablaze with the truth of who he was and is. Jesus called them to radical discipleship and his invitation remains for us today.
Discipleship Defined
A simple definition of discipleship is found in The Lexham Cultural Ontology Glossary: “The process of training people incrementally in some discipline or way of life.”
The Gospel Message in the Early Church presents a more detailed explanation of biblical discipleship: “Becoming and being a flourishing follower of Jesus who embodies the character of Christ by engaging in a lifelong, personal pursuit of holistic transformation and doing so within a like-minded community of faith that’s corporately committed to being and making other disciples.” (taken from http://learnreligions.com)
Let’s break it down even further. What is discipleship?
- a lifelong commitment to learning and applying the teachings of Jesus
- adherence to the authority of scripture
- walking in close proximity to Jesus through study of the Bible, prayerful conversation with him and reliance on the Holy Spirit
- willingness to lay down my wants and needs to become more like Jesus
- being in community with others pursuing Jesus according to biblical truth which includes giving and receiving encouragement and correction
- passionate love for God which transforms how you love others
- unapologetic living which holds no shame for following the way of Jesus with a willingness to share about it
- a pursuit of godly character which includes mental and physical purity, generosity, justice, kindness, service, self-control and more
Is that what you signed up for?
That’s a potent list, hey? Even as I write it, I know that I fall short and will continue to. The point is not perfection on this road but rather perseverance. The internet definitions above allude to an incremental and lifelong pursuit. Discipleship takes time and consistency. There will be times where you and I fail miserably and we will look like anything but a follower of Jesus. Each of the disciples Jesus personally called, failed him at some point. God doesn’t expect us to get it right, but to instead to be a follower that recognizes our need for him in every moment along the way.
Fan or Follower?
After looking at the working definition of a disciple, perhaps the gap between a fan and follower is becoming more obvious. A fan is a passive participant, watching from the sidelines, but seldom on the field. The fan may have a wealth of knowledge, with all of the rules and expectations well under hand, but they have never played the game or know what it means to get dirty in the trenches. As a result, there is little sacrifice, responsibility or ownership. Often when things go sideways, a fan loses interest or switches allegiance completely, especially if influenced by a crowd.
Unfortunately, I have been involved in the church and ministry long enough to have experienced these things personally. At times I have stood on the sidelines and criticized leadership, unwilling to messy my hands with a solution. Other times I have been on the receiving end of someone’s lack of engagement and sacrifice. Both are detrimental. I have watched as people leave the church when the teaching brings too much conviction or the worship is not ‘good enough’. That is fan mentality and I think Jesus would have strong things to say about it.
What now?
Where do you put yourself on this spectrum? Do you tend toward being a superfan, content to cheer from the sidelines, but unwilling to step in and get dirty? Is your faith part of a culture you’ve been raised in and you go along with the Christian crowd because its comfortable and well-known? Do you talk to Jesus about what you want or need but spend little to no time learning of what he desires? Do you love the idea of being a follower but have no plans to let go of the things you enjoy that Jesus may call you on? Is church an emotional experience you are seeking rather than a place to worship and grow in knowledge and community?
You’re not alone if you resonate with any of what you’ve just read. Discipleship is not easy and we are not promised that it will be. Jesus compared it to carrying a cross. If we want to be one of his followers, we need to live a life that looks like his. It’s both wonderful and daunting. It takes effort and willingness to get up and try again whenever we fall.
What step can you take today? Is there something that stands in the way of prioritizing Jesus in your life? What would it take to remove that obstacle? Perhaps coaching would be beneficial in helping you walk that out. What practice can you add to increase intimacy and vitality in your faith? How can you serve others in the name of Jesus, committing to get your hands dirty and help where you can?
I would love to have a conversation with you about these things. Discipleship coaching is designed to walk you towards Jesus by looking at problematic thinking or behaviour. We learn to look to scripture as the first and final word of authority. We listen for the Spirit’s voice in conjunction with the teaching of the Bible and try to walk in obedience. The journey will be difficult but Jesus promises freedom and abundance as we give our trust to him. Are you willing?