members versus disciples

Zion is a congregation, primarily of members. Our memebership is not large. Like most mainline churches, it is declining. We are worried about this trend. If membership declines too far we will not be able to survive as an institution.
We are part of an institution. As such, we have established operating principles of governance and practice that have evolved into something less than 'church'. What I mean by that is that the church is called to make disciples of Jesus Christ, not congregation members. There is a significant difference that ought to be identified.
However, most of the people we serve identify with congregation, rather than with Jesus. Their primary faith relationship is the congregation, not the crucified and risen Lord in whose grace we live. They are attached to this or that congregation as supporters/donors/ volunteers. But they are not Jesus' disciples.
Membership means that we pay the bills, that we hire staff to do ministry, that we live to ourselves, that we maintain the building, that mission work is something others do far away from us, to whom we may send some money. Members serve on committees and councils in order to allocate funds to perpetuate membership and maintenance. Membership has few if any expectations attached to it. These expectations are low, because people won't join if the expectations are too high. Members must commune and contribute once every two years! Most social clubs and sports teams have higher expectations today. Why have we relinquished the mission to make disciples?

Discipleship means that we are in the center of a mission field to which each of us is called as a servant and minister. We give in grateful response to what God has given us. In fact, expectations are high because the mission is both urgent and important. How we practice what we believe, how we live out our relationship with Jesus as disciples is critical to the mission. We are called to be faithful; to live a life worthy of the calling to which we have been called. That means we are called to worship every week, to daily bible reading and prayer, to generous giving, to service in neighborhood and community, to advocate for a just and peaceful world, and to a ministry of reconciliation and forgiveness that welcomes all people.

How do members become disciples? We start by asking the question, "Who is Jesus for me, for us, for the world?" We explore the life of Jesus. We pray. Disciples are made. There is work involved; proclamation, prayer, invitation, encouragement. It is transformative work that will not let you go until your life is changed by the spirit of Jesus and the gospel of grace. When that happens a disciple is born.