In just 1 short day, I will be leaving for the Lausanne Congress, where I can’t wait to connect with men and women from all over the world who are of like mind and purpose, to fulfill the Great Commission! The Lord is expanding the ministry of InFocus into such places as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and India. Lausanne will provide a platform to connect with like-minded individuals and forge strategic partnerships.
The two main reasons why I am attending Lausanne are to accelerate the development of disciple-making and church planting movements. You might be wondering what coaching has to do with disciple-making and church planting. Allow me to show you…
- How does coaching fit into disciple-making movements?
Most of the time, I have seen coaching and disciple-making presented as two separate disciplines, but they really are more effective when presented as a cohesive unit. In short, a coach approach integrated with discipleship provides a platform for rapid multiplication in a relational setting. It all goes back to the concept of imprinting. Who are you imprinting on the disciples you are making? Is it the imprint of the Holy Spirit? If it is, then the possibilities of that disciple making other disciples, increases. If however, the imprint you are making is in your image, then disciples will hit a ceiling in their growth, development, and reproductive potential.
- How does coaching facilitate church planting movements?
Similar to disciple-making, coaching facilitates church planting movements by imprinting the image of the Holy Spirit on the church planter.
When disciples are coached, and go on to plant churches, coaching is embedded in their DNA. They have seen firsthand the benefits of coaching, and most likely, will continue the process with those who come alongside them. Additionally, as difficult times occur, coaches can help church planters persevere, rely on the Spirit of God, and not get discouraged in the process. They can help them develop the skills and tools necessary to accept challenges head-on and learn how to adapt when plans don’t turn out as expected.
In 2016, I was part of a two-pronged training process combining Disciple Making Movements (DMM) with Coaching in six regions around the world beginning with the Philippines, India, Turkey, followed by the US, then concluding with Spain and Hong Kong. Here are three lessons I learned:
- Synergy – utilize practitioners from each discipline to maximize the strengths of both.
- Progression–explain how the two disciplines are distinct – then show how they complement one another.
- Structural Tension – allow participants to live in the tension of making disciples AND coaching disciple makers to reproduce, cultivate leaders, and to start healthy churches that reproduce and multiply.
I would love to hear how you have integrated coaching with disciple-making and church planting efforts. Please keep me in prayer as I depart in 24 hours. I look forward to sharing my experience and pictures with you when I return!
If you want to see where I’ll be each day, check out the agenda for the conference here.
Photo by HIVAN ARVIZU @soyhivan on Unsplash
