Georgia Pastor Andy Stanley: Don't Settle for 'Christian'

What does it mean to be "Christian?" Given that the term is not even clearly defined in the Bible and draws a myriad of definitions from Christians themselves, influential pastor Andy Stanley is challenging believers to embrace a different, and more convicting, identity: disciple.

"Are we disciples? Or are we just 'Christians?' Stanley asked thousands at North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Ga. "Don't settle for 'Christian.'"

Stanley just concluded his four-week "Christian" series this past weekend, exhorting attendees to fulfill the role that Jesus so clearly laid out for his followers: to love like he did.

While Jesus' instructions were clear, many believers are found hiding behind "Christianity," he noted.

To some, "Christian" means someone who prayed the prayer or a person who was baptized; others say it's not what you believe but how you behave; and then there are those who define Christians as "judgmental, homophobic moralists who think they are the only ones going to heaven," Stanley listed.

"One of the reasons that you can't get five people to define 'Christian' the same way ... is because 'Christian' is not defined in the New Testament," the megachurch pastor clarified. Read more