The man of the hour in our class today was Dr. Daniel McNaughton. Dr. McNaughton is the pastor of Spring Valley Community Church in Royersford, PA. He is also the key planter in the church's' establishment. Dr. McNaughton has felt God's calling as a church planter for many years. One day he realized God was calling him to plant a church directly within the area in which he resided. The primary establishment of SVCC was to reach out to individuals who do not normally go to church. SVCC opened its doors in 2005 and has been growing strong ever since.
Listening to Dr. McNaughton share his testimony with the trial and triumphs he went through definitely tugged at my heart. This man of God's journey and the wisdom he has to share with others is so incredibly sincere and genuine that his soft spoken tone literally puts the listener right there with him wherever he is in his story. He has the ability to bring his listeners into his story to the point in they can visibly see the pain he was experiencing and physically feel his heartache along with him. It was, no doubt, an incredibly moving time for each and every person who was there. I can honestly say I never really understood exactly what was meant by “being a disciple” until tonight when Dr. McNaughton shared with us his revelation of what exactly it means to be a disciple.
During the time he was pursuing his PhD, Dr. McNaughton had an embarrassing revelation that he really did not know what it meant to be a disciple. Through much study and prayer, seeking God for His clear wisdom into understanding the true meaning of a disciple, he came to the full understanding that “a Disciple is one who learns to do what Jesus does.” Dr. McNaughton explains how Discipleship is ongoing, it never stops, we are to keep making disciples that make disciples, and so on, as this is what Jesus has asked us to do! Having this clear cut, straightforward understanding of exactly what it is that we are to do as we disciple people, makes the whole idea of Discipleship so much more easily understood and desired. Like Pastor Tom Rees, Dr. McNaughton also discussed the importance of having “connections” with people. He shared how it seemed to him that discipleship occurred in community and it would only seem wise to first create close community connection between before trying to disciple them. Imagine how much growing would take place when the people connected in a particular community already have a close knit bond of trust and deep care and concern for one another.
Learning To Follow Jesus. (pictured left)
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