Faith is not meant to remain abstract. It becomes visible in the way people serve, lead, encourage, remember God’s goodness, and help others take their next step toward Jesus.
In this feature on Living My Faith with Chuck Coker, James Abbott, Community Outreach Associate Director at Christ’s Church in Jacksonville, Florida, shares a thoughtful perspective on calling, discipleship, spiritual leadership, and the daily practice of trusting God’s faithfulness.
His reflections offer practical encouragement for anyone who wants to grow spiritually, live with greater purpose, and help others discover what God may be asking of them.
Christ’s Church and the Mission of Discipleship
At Christ’s Church, the mission is clear: MAKE disciples – BETTER disciples – MORE disciples.
That emphasis comes directly from the words of Jesus in Matthew 28, where He tells His followers to “Go and make disciples.” For Christ’s Church, discipleship is not simply a ministry program. It is central to what it means to follow Jesus.
Christ’s Church describes itself as a diverse, imperfect group of people who love Jesus, teach His Word, and worship Him with passion. The church’s heart is to come alongside people in their discipleship journey and help them grow in faith.
Living Faith Through Disciple Making
For James Abbott, living out faith is deeply connected to disciple making. While he serves in ministry professionally, he sees his primary role in life as helping people take the next step God may be inviting them to take.
He describes this as meeting people where they are, pointing them to Jesus, and helping them move forward in faith. That approach reflects a key distinction in spiritual leadership: the goal is not simply to move people toward an organizational agenda, but to help them move toward God’s agenda.
Faith at Work, Home, and in the Community
James’s perspective is a helpful reminder that living out faith does not happen only in formal church settings. It happens in everyday conversations, in leadership decisions, in encouragement, and in the willingness to walk alongside others.
For readers seeking to live their faith more intentionally, this raises an important question: Who around me may need encouragement to take one faithful next step?
The Scripture That Has Shaped This Season
One passage James highlights as especially meaningful is Ephesians 4:11-12. This Scripture describes the calling of ministry leaders to equip the saints for the work of ministry so that the body of Christ may be built up.
For James, this passage reinforces the purpose of ministry leadership. The calling is not only to do the work personally, but to help develop others so they can bear fruit in the ways God has called them.
From a “Do-er” Mindset to a “Developer” Mindset
One of the most practical insights James shares is the shift from being a “do-er” to becoming a “developer.” In ministry and leadership, it can be tempting to carry the work alone. But Ephesians 4 points to a broader vision: equipping others for the ministry God created them to do.
This mindset is valuable beyond church leadership. Parents, mentors, managers, small group leaders, and community volunteers can all benefit from asking, Am I only doing the work, or am I helping others grow into their God-given purpose?
Remembering God’s Faithfulness in Difficult Seasons
James also shares an honest reflection for anyone who has struggled to sense God’s presence. There was a season in his life when he felt as though God was there for others, but not for him.
During that time, the word “remembrance” stood out to him in Scripture. He noticed how often the Bible calls God’s people to remember. That emphasis led him to a simple but powerful practice: creating a remembrance journal.
A Practical Faith Exercise: Start a Remembrance Journal
James sat down and began writing out the things he could attribute to God’s faithfulness over the previous year or so. Before long, he had filled a page and a half.
That practice helped him see that even when he felt unable to recognize God’s presence in the moment, God had still been faithful. It became a reminder that he could trust God with everything and that God had not forgotten him.
For anyone struggling spiritually, this is a practical step worth considering:
- Set aside quiet time to reflect on the past year.
- Write down moments of provision, encouragement, growth, protection, or answered prayer.
- Avoid rushing. Let your memory return to both obvious and subtle signs of God’s goodness.
- Revisit the list when discouragement or doubt begins to rise.
Remembering God’s goodness can help strengthen faith, especially in low seasons when it may be difficult to see clearly.
How Affirmation Can Clarify Calling
James describes moments when people he admired or respected in their own faith journeys affirmed something they saw in him. Those words resonated deeply and became part of his early sense of calling into ministry.
That experience points to the importance of spiritual encouragement. Sometimes a simple word of affirmation can help someone recognize what God may be developing in them.
Encouragement Can Become Part of Someone’s Faith Journey
Many people are carrying gifts, callings, or leadership potential they have not yet fully recognized. When trusted voices speak encouragement with humility and wisdom, it can help others see possibilities they had not considered.
This is another practical way to live out faith: notice what God may be doing in others, and when appropriate, speak life-giving encouragement over what you see.
Lessons for Anyone Seeking to Grow Spiritually
The reflections shared through Living My Faith with Chuck Coker offer several meaningful takeaways for everyday faith:
1. Discipleship Begins With the Next Step
Spiritual growth does not always require dramatic change overnight. Often, it begins with one clear next step toward Jesus.
2. Leadership Is About Equipping Others
Whether in ministry, family, work, or community life, faithful leadership includes helping others grow into what God has called them to do.
3. Remembering Builds Trust
When life feels uncertain, remembering God’s past faithfulness can renew confidence in His present care.
4. Encouragement Matters
A timely word of affirmation can help someone recognize God’s work in their life and courageously respond.
A Faith That Points People to Jesus
At the heart of James Abbott’s perspective is a simple and powerful desire: to point people to Jesus and help them take the next step in their discipleship journey.
That vision aligns closely with the mission of Christ’s Church and reflects the broader calling of believers to build up the body of Christ. Faith becomes visible when it equips, encourages, remembers, and serves.
Conclusion
Living out faith is not limited to a title, role, or ministry setting. It is found in the daily choice to follow Jesus, encourage others, remember God’s goodness, and help people take their next step toward Him.
James Abbott’s story and insights remind us that discipleship is both deeply personal and beautifully shared. As we grow in faith, we are also invited to help others grow.
To learn more about Christ’s Church and take your next step in your discipleship journey, visit christs.church. To explore more conversations from Living My Faith, visit livingmyfaith.com.
