Micah Dodson and I talk about the primary shift a leader must wrestle through in order to establish a culture of disciplemaking in your church. This is perhaps the key philosophical decision a leader must make to create an intentional community of disciples, making disciples. After we discuss the shift then I ask Micah to present a challenge to take the next step to strengthen your disciplemaking culture.
You will need 6 minutes to view this video; I promise it will be worth your time – CLICK HERE!
To get the conversation started – share your take away from the video below.
I think one of my big challenges, if not the biggest will be to change where I am going so that I can disciple “as I go” in new places, in the nooks and crannies of society where there are people who may be hungry for beginning such a journey. On the one hand, as an empty-nester, I feel that there is a freedom that I did not always have. On the other hand, not having young children also means that my “as you go” is out of the way of younger adults, especially Millenials and Zgens who are becoming increasingly averse to the attractional and institutional approach.
QUESTION #2: What are the primary challenges you are facing, or anticipate, as you take action to cultivate your disciplemaking pathway beginning in the Harvest?
The primary challenge for me is being intentional with my non-Christian friends and stepping into the conversation as God leads and powered by the Holy Spirit. I remember the words that we are looking for persons of peace. I don’t want move on too quickly, but I may be spending too much time with several of my non-Christian friends who don’t want to venture into a discussion around spiritual things or eternal life. Not leaving them, but they may not be the ones God would have me disciple at this time.
I love the new paradigm. I’ll be very transparent here. That is the world myself and the congregation live in. When discipleship training became a main stream teaching in the 80’s and 90’s it pulled us out of the world into the church building (fence). I struggle to understand discipleship in the world. Again, I love learning more on this approach because it is about being a Christian wherever God has called me. I see myself starting to move from an “and” discipleship structure to an “or”. I need to decide where and how am I effectively going to disciple people. My current context of discipleship starts with many of the team not knowing Christ.
That said I have began to work with another pastor to see if he wants to journey with me on this new canoeing trip around the mountain.
Let me encourage you to continue pushing forward.
An important book Colin Noyes wrote addresses the “Why?” behind the shift, through the historical evolution of disciplemaking beginning with Jesus. The book is entitled “Making Disciples in a Postmodern Era” and is avaiable in PDF at https://resourcezone.com.au/product/making-disciples-in-a-postmodern-era-pdf/
Back to your point Glenn.
As you begin your journey of canoeing around the mountain, what seems to be the driving forces for this pastor to entertain making the shift. Other than the theological reasons, other than the growth reasons; what are the real compelling reasons for making the shift? Curious because it take a lot of “umph” to rethink ministry, initiate and sustain in this manner.
Look forward to your feedback.
The biggest driver seems to be that this pastor has a deep passion to disciple others that starts with reaching the lost. He does want to disciple people, the go part is new. This will be hard because his whole life has been in ministry within the church. Now we are beginning to talk about ministry outside the church and that is scary. We are both reading the 21st century disciple book now. Coaching and walking together is a lot of fun. We approach the world differently that that is exciting to me.
Glad that we have this forum to be able to discern through out-of-the-box ways of thinking for discipleship. Authentic discipleship will always begin with “going to them” and inviting those far from God to draw closer to God and be a part of a faith community as we all follow Jesus together. In my view, discipleship cannot just end with “going to them.” I am a big fan of the quote often attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi: preach the gospel always (“going to them”), use words when necessary (inviting them to be a part of a faith community)
In someways, I think it’s important to name one of Tim Keller’s points – (paraphrase) the biggest difference between a spiritual but not religious person and a Christ follower is belonging to a community of imperfect believers seeking to worship a perfect God.
Just some food for thought
Agreed Carlos! You have much to offer in this conversation. Love the Saint Francis of Assisi quote: preach the gospel always (“going to them”), use words when necessary and Keller on belonging to a community.
The BOTH-AND approach is probably more the balance we need to strike e.g. “go to them” + “come to us”.
In general, our current church models seems to focus more on the “come to us” (Modern Era) to the detriment of the “go to them” (Postmodern Era) approach. Even though we talk a lot about being missional/incarnational I wonder what percentage of ministry is actually making disciples or just church attenders.
Curious to hear your thoughts.
That’s a great point, Gary. I think human nature often leads people to lean toward the path of least resistance. Disciple making is challenging and both time and energy consuming. Church attendance is a strategic result that can lead to a sense of self satisfaction and “success” because that allows one to fulfill the four B’s of contemporary church ministry – Building (facilities), Bodies(attendance) and Budget (money).
Of the two approaches, “go to them” vs. “come to us”. which one does Imago excel?
I’d say “go to them” has been a part of our DNA even before the worship services started so that would be the stronger area where we excel.
Obviously, right now it is more of a “come to us” approach. I feel like I am just getting my feet wet in a more “go to them” approach as I have been building relationships over the last 15 months at a local Starbucks. As far as a new insight from the video, I am struck by the thought of taking other mature disciples along in this process. That will take some double intentionality on my part–first being intentional to “go to them” and then being intentional to “take others along.” I’m feeling like this may take time, both to make my own paradigm shift, but then to help the congregation I lead to do the same.
I love the fact you are challenging yourself with this approach Russ. The idea to bring a more mature disciple along with you is forcing you to exercise a new muscle. What obstacles are surfacing for you in this process?
Russ,
I love that you are recognizing the internal paradigm shifts that are at stake. That’s a key insight.
QUESTION #1: Orientation. Micah mentioned two options. Is our approach to disciplemaking a “come to us” or a “go to them” philosophy?