Why Do Churches Struggle to Make Disciples?

Jesus gave His followers a clear mission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19–20). Yet many churches today find that making disciples is one of their greatest challenges. While churches may offer inspiring worship services, excellent programs, and meaningful fellowship, genuine disciple-making often requires something deeper and more intentional. Understanding why this happens is an important step toward improving church health and helping believers mature in their faith.

One common reason churches struggle is that attendance is sometimes mistaken for discipleship. Filling a sanctuary each Sunday is encouraging, but simply attending a service does not automatically produce mature followers of Jesus. Discipleship involves learning God’s Word, developing Christlike character, serving others, and growing in obedience over time. Healthy churches intentionally create pathways that move people beyond attendance into lifelong spiritual formation.

Another challenge is that many believers have never been shown how to grow spiritually. New Christians often need practical guidance on reading the Bible, praying consistently, understanding Christian doctrine, and sharing their faith. Without intentional mentoring and encouragement, many people remain spiritual infants despite years of church attendance. Churches that prioritize teaching these foundational habits often see believers become more confident and spiritually mature.

Our culture also presents significant obstacles. Modern life is filled with constant distractions, busy schedules, and endless entertainment. These competing priorities can easily crowd out time for Scripture, prayer, and meaningful Christian community. Making disciples requires helping people develop new rhythms that place Christ at the center of everyday life rather than treating faith as something reserved for Sunday mornings.

Discipleship also flourishes through relationships, yet many churches unintentionally rely almost entirely on large-group gatherings. While preaching is essential, Jesus invested deeply in a small group of disciples, teaching them through both instruction and shared life. Churches that encourage mentoring relationships, small groups, and intentional accountability often create environments where lasting spiritual growth becomes much more natural. These kinds of relationships strengthen both individual believers and overall church health.

Another reason disciple-making can struggle is the absence of a clear pathway. People often want to grow but simply do not know what their next step should be. Churches benefit from providing a simple, understandable process that helps people move from exploring Christianity to becoming committed disciples, discovering their spiritual gifts, serving others, and eventually helping make disciples themselves. A clear pathway gives people confidence that they are continuing to grow rather than remaining spiritually stagnant.

Perhaps most importantly, disciple-making requires patience. Spiritual growth rarely happens overnight. Jesus spent years investing in His disciples, patiently teaching, correcting, encouraging, and preparing them for ministry. Churches that embrace this long-term perspective recognize that faithful discipleship is measured not merely by attendance statistics but by transformed lives that increasingly reflect the character of Christ.

The encouraging news is that churches do not need complicated strategies to make disciples. They need a clear commitment to God’s Word, meaningful relationships, intentional spiritual practices, and a culture that continually invites people to take their next step with Jesus. As churches faithfully pursue Christ’s Great Commission, they become healthier, stronger, and better equipped to impact their communities for generations to come.

Bible Institute Network exists to help students at every stage of their spiritual journey discover trusted Bible study resources, ministry training, and educational opportunities from a growing network of Bible institutes and seminaries.

Bible Institute Network was founded by Steve Lawes, who is also the founder of Church Encourager and Christian Practices, ministries dedicated to helping individuals and churches grow in biblical understanding, spiritual formation, and Christ-centered ministry.