Discipling people is a Godly calling, which requires anointing from God in order to be effective. Unfortunately, effective leadership sometimes requires rebuking and correction, which can be daunting to some, and can be a source of apprehension for all the people involved, especially those who are by nature meek and non-confrontational. It is not by accident that both ‘disciple’ and ‘discipline’ sound very close to one another.
Fortunately, there is a way to accomplish this with the grace of God. When it is called for, effective correction is firm but gentle, well-directed and focused but not bellitling or abusive. It should be done with love and kind words, keeping in mind that you may be a leader, but you are also susceptible to mistakes and stumbling as well.
If done properly, the incident should be a character building experience for all parties involved. Indeed, the relationship between the leader and the follower would be strengthened further with the testing, as surely as silver being refined in a fire.
Written during the March 2 RDMM in Nexus Church