Disciple is a ruined word
The core competency of any movement is apprenticeship.
This fundamental principle of reproduction is so often and so easily overlooked. A gifted communicator can attract a huge crowd; a charismatic leader can create tremendous energy and a talented writer can sell books by the millions. But if that teacher, leader or writer wants to see a missional movement they must become and surround themselves with apprentices.
The very first action that Jesus took when catalyzing his movement was to recruit twelve apprentices. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” () He was calling them into an apprenticeship and giving them instructions that they would do the same with others. 2,000 years later the Jesus movement has reached billions and billions and continues to move forward into eternity. It is through apprenticeships that people are empowered to reach their leadership capacity and influence as many people as possible for the mission.
While disciple is a brilliant word and a word used by Jesus; it does not mean to us what Jesus meant when he said it. “Disciple” is a ruined word. When Jesus called people into discipleship it was a calling into the mission and to prepare you in every way to accomplish the mission.
When the world “disciple” is used today it has more to do with consuming cognitive content than it is about missional action. Today, “disciple” is more about an individual and his/her ability to get a passing grade on the subject matter than it is a follower of Jesus living in community for the mission’s sake. We will have to wait another generation before we can use “disciple” and know that it will be heard in the way Jesus meant for it to be heard.
The introduction of new language is crucial for re-shaping paradigms and getting people to think differently about the movement of Jesus. Successful businesses are now seeing the importance of this language. Ram Charan, in Leaders At All Levels, explains the power or the word apprenticeship: “…apprenticeship is at the heart of this new approach to leadership development. To understand why, you’ll have to come to grips with a potentially controversial belief: leadership can only be developed through practice. Those who have talent for leadership must develop their abilities by practicing in the real world and converting that experience into improved skill and judgment. That conversion does not take place in a classroom.”
You may choose to continue to use the word “disciple”, but that choice may get you the same kind of static thinking you are trying to change. I much prefer the term “apprentice.” The power of the word “apprentice” is that it clearly says that you are not only a learner, but that you are in a relationship to take on more responsibility to further the movement of Jesus.