On this edition of The Exchange, Pastor Dhati Lewis discusses discipleship in the urban setting.
Dhati Lewis is the lead pastor at Blueprint Church in Atlanta, Georgia and the president of Rebuild Network.
“If it takes a village to raise a child it takes a church to raise a Christian.”
Dhati Lewis seeks to see more churches planted in the urban context. In college, Dhati sought a church that was culturally relevant and doctrinally sound but couldn’t find one so he planted his own.
At Blueprint Church, Dhati and his staff embrace the beauty, complexity, density, and diversity of the city of Atlanta.
“ I feel like I was made for this city and this neighborhood.”
Discipleship is focused on community and rooted in Christ.
Christ is the only human who was granted all of the spiritual gifts. We aren’t expected to do everything Jesus did on earth because we don’t have all of the spiritual gifts.
That is why the church is so important, as a church we are to represent Christ on earth, all using our individual spiritual gifts to make an impact for God.
“Authenticity is the apologetic of the day.”
It’s important to allow God’s people to use their gifts and God-given platform for the sake of the glory of Christ. We are the most effective when we are authentic to who God has made us to be.
Urbanization is upon us, but how can we handle it?
As Christians, we have a tendency to run from our responsibility to be our brother’s keeper. Now is the time to change that.
Reach out to neighbors that don’t look, talk, or act like you.
Overcome fear by putting greater faith and confidence in the one who controls all things, the person and work of Jesus.
