Ordinary Radicals Quotes

“If you are not changed by grace, you’re probably not saved by grace.”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“At the end of the day, the biggest problem with the Great Commission for Christians is that they don't share the gospel.”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“Today, we have cheapened what it means to know Jesus by linking belief to a formulaic prayer that magically imports us into a relationship with God.”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“Many pastors criticize me for taking the gospel so seriously. But do they really think that on judgment day, Christ will chastise me and say, “Jonathan, you took me way too seriously”?”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“Most people want Jesus as a consultant rather than a king. Many want to consume the kingdom of God without first carrying the cross of Christ.”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“Your success as a disciple of Christ is not something you do; it is someone you disciple to also become a disciple-maker.”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“The church is filled with people who think they are participating in the mission while binge-watching from the sidelines and criticizing how others are making disciples.”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“Relationships take time, but we don’t want to take the time. In reality, too busy is a myth. People make time for the things that are really important to them.”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“When we look at the life of Jesus, we see that He didn’t draw large crowds for the sake of counting heads or logging attendance. He never gauged effectiveness by nickels and noses. Therefore, the goal of the church should not be to build a megachurch. The end goal is to build a healthy church with mature believers.”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“Radical discipleship takes place in a relational environment where people feel comfortable exploring their personal and spiritual issues and learning what it means to be a follower of Jesus.”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“One living demonstration of the gospel is far better than a hundred explanations of many sermons.”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“Being a Christian today sadly has no connection with being formed into the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). The apostle Paul constantly reflected on his example and his walk. He said that what others saw in him, they were to pass on to others (Phil. 4:9).”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“Many pastors think their greatest impact comes from preaching to many. Not true. Our greatest impact is in discipling a few. Jesus did life with the disciples in close proximity. You won’t create radical disciples from a pulpit; you’ll only create an audience. You must walk closely with people.”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“I am convinced that the greatest need of the church today is more men, women, boys, and the girls who have abandoned their dreams, possessions, and treasures at the feet of the cross and rise up to be the disciples that the scripture points us to and multiply the gospel to the ends of the Earth (Acts 1:8)”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“If a church’s strategy is not grounded in making disciples, the church has abandoned the mission Christ has given.”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“The church is not a meeting you attend or a place you enter. It’s an identity that is yours in Christ.”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“According to Jesus examples discipleship is not a program we launch. It is a lifestyle we embrace.”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“While churches are looking for decisions, Jesus is looking for disciples.”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“It’s not what we know that will change the world; it’s how we love others and share the gospel (good news) that will ultimately win back the effectiveness of missional outreach.”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“At times, I wonder why the church has so little influence on the world….that it is because the world has so much influence on the church”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“When discipline leaves a church, Christ goes with it.”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“Following Jesus may be personal, but it is never private.”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“God isn’t interested in simply tweaking your behavior or stepping up your morality. He is all about radically transforming your entire life.”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“Radical Discipleship is about nothing more and nothing less than laying bare the roots of the gospel.”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“Well that’s too hard. I will continue on with what we got.” When we say of a biblical command, “I don’t THINK that will work,” what we have done is elevate our reason above God’s Word.”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“A shepherd/teacher is called not only to do ministry but to help others learn how to do it. This model Paul sets forth flies in the face of this consumer mentality Christianity.”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“Older Christian” doesn’t automatically mean “mature” Christian. In fact, those with whom you most likely have conflict within your church are older people who never grew up.”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“We were not called to make converts. Our job is the task of disciple-making. I mean, if we are not making disciples, why are we here?”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“We are not only called to be disciples, we are also called to make disciples.”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship

“Jesus didn’t take these men and immediately thrown them into leadership. Jesus instead walked with them, prayed with them, and disciple them.”
― Jonathan Hayashi, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-Centered Discipleship