TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE: Prayerful Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance

Ride the Crest of the Wave

ABSTRACT: Implementing a new major innovation is an art and process that is often neglected by leaders to the peril of their organization and sometimes their own positions. Those on the crest of the wave of change or before the wave, can achieve transformation. This article explores the implementation change process through the lens of the widely accepted diffusion theory.

ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE IS DIFFICULT

Many leaders understand that it is difficult to transform an organization. In a plateaued organization any change to how things are done is a major challenge due to the degree of inertia. It is necessary to sequentially raise the minimum standards regarding the values and activities of the organization. Some people buy-in early on while others lag behind, which is an easy way to understand diffusion theory. Many churches implementing a new process such as Simple Discipleship will succeed while others will fail. Often the steps to change are just as important as the substance of change.

HOW ORGANIZATIONS ACCEPT CHANGE

Church leaders often make the mistake of thinking that once something is communicated one time, everybody has received the message. Unfortunately, communication must be viewed as a process rather than a one shot event. Diffusion is the process by which an innovation is communicated to the people in a population, social structure, organization, or in this case, a church. It is often measured by the speed and stages at which the people buy-in to the innovation. It is an important element to understand for those who lead change in their churches. It answers several questions:

• Why do some innovations fail early in the startup?
• When are the critical times in implementation that make or break the success of the acceptance of the innovation?
• Who are the people involved at the various stages of the startup of the innovation?

Understanding the answers to these questions will aid leaders in successfully implementing change.

Called the “Mechanism of Diffusion,” there are five steps of a person and/or organization accepting change or a new innovation such as transformational discipleship:

1)      Knowledge – person becomes aware of an innovation and has some idea of how it functions,

2)      Persuasion – person forms a favorable or unfavorable attitude toward the innovation,

3)      Decision – person engages in activities that lead to a choice to adopt or reject the innovation,

4)      Implementation – person puts an innovation into use,

5)      Confirmation – person evaluates the results of an innovation-decision already made.

CREATING MOMENTUM FOR CHANGE

Individuals work through the steps listed in the previous section at varying stages and speeds. This was originally pointed out by Everett M. Rogers (March 6, 1931 – October 21, 2004), a communication researcher, sociologist, writer, and teacher. He is best known for originating the diffusion of innovations theory and for introducing the term early adopter. Rogers identified five types of people and at what stage they accept or buy-in to a new innovation:

1. Innovators – venturesome, educated, multiple information sources; 2.5%
2. Early adopters – social leaders, popular, educated, charismatic; 13.5%

Chasm of Stall or Failure

3. Early majority – deliberate, many informal social contacts; 34%
4. Late majority – skeptical, traditional, lower socio-economic status; 34%
5. Laggards – neighbors and friends are main info sources, fear of debt. 16%

Note the Chasm of Stall or Failure shown between the point at which early adopters and those in the early majority buy-in to a new innovation. This is a critical point at which momentum must be strong enough to take the new innovation to the next level or the new initiative will fail. The failure to launch is usually due to the following factors:

Eight Reasons Change Efforts Fail:

1. Failure of the main leaders to personally prepare (Prayerful Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance)
2. A failure to establish a viable sense of urgency that the new innovation is needed
3. A failure to achieve Buy-In by significant influencers of the organization
4. Failure to choose a launch team with the “right leaders in the right seats on the bus
5. Failure to train the launch team and other significant leaders in how the new innovation works
6. Failure to train the launch team and other significant leaders in conflict management skills
7. Failure to properly plan the launch strategy
8. Failure to plan a broad-based organization-wide launch

DON’T MISS THE CREST OF THE WAVE OF CHANGE

Catch the Crest of the Wave…or get left out!

Another way to look at the diffusion theory of change is to view the players as surfers at the beach. The innovators and early adopters are the ones that get out in front of the new wave. The early majority will catch the crest of the wave while the late majority will be in danger of missing the wave. Of course the laggards will miss the wave completely. The point is to get about 60% of the church people in front of the wave or on the crest of the wave of the new innovation. Everyone on the crest of the wave or out in front of it will help create and sustain organizational change and transformation. Here is a visual illustration of the diffusion theory:

Diffusion of Innovation Theory

Everyone on or in front of the wave of change will help create and sustain change!

EXAMPLE: My book Simple Discipleship includes a step-by-step guide designed to help church leaders start the simple church discipleship process. Sometimes I hear of a leader who takes shortcuts in the startup process and in every case they fail to achieve church transformation. On the other hand, the churches that follow the startup process almost always achieve a marked improvement in growth and their disciple-making results. The Simple Discipleship startup process includes 12 steps and the process is not communicated to the whole congregation until step 6. Steps 1 through 5 are designed to build urgency, buy-in, and momentum that will overcome the chasm of failure. These principles apply to any organizational change innovation.

QUESTIONS:

1. In response to new innovation are you an innovator, early adopter, early majority, late majority, or laggard?
2. Which startup step do you commonly skip?
3. Have you experienced both success and failure to launch a new innovation in your organization/church? What was the cause for failure or success?

SD Blessings,

Dr. Tom Cocklereece, The Disciplist

——————–
Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC
Author “Simple Discipleship,” contributing writer L2L Blogazine
He is a pastor, an author, professional coach, and leadership specialist
Email | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web | Blog | Book | Coaching Site

VISION IS VIRAL BUT STRATEGY IS STATIC

A recent article by Mark Federman on Linked2Leadership titled “Honest Leadership: The End of “Vision”” drew my attention. At the outset it must be said that he introduced me to a new dimension of strategy planning…that of tactility. Tactility has to do with how the culture, products, and the organization “feel” to employees, customers, clients, and the community in which the business resides. As Federman instructs, leaders must be aware of the direct and indirect effects your organization is creating along the way of achieving their vision. It is certainly an overlooked dimension of strategy plans for many organizations. However, Federman stated that “vision is more than over-rated” and “is counter-productive to providing appropriate leadership.” This writer must respectfully disagree. Again, I appreciate Federman’s contribution to the organizational development discussion by the addition of tactility but it should not be at the expense of well developed “visioneering.”

VISION STATEMENTS THAT MOVED PEOPLE

• Moses’ Vision of a “Land Flowing with Milk and Honey”: Exodus 3:7 presents one of the best vision statements in human history. It was presented by God to Moses who in turn presented it to the people of Israel. The vision catch phrase “land flowing with milk and honey” is repeated forty-six times in the English Bible, specifically in the Old Testament.
• Knights of the Round Table: However mythical it may have been, the vision of King Arthur’s round table evokes a mental image of leaders of varying levels having an equal voice at the table of governance. Wace (c. 1115 to c. 1183)  was the first to coin the phrase “Knights of the Roundtable” to describe the equality King Arthur supposedly gave to his supporting leaders in order to quell jealousies between them. Again, however mythical, the vision has inspired many with the ideals of Camelot.
•  John F. Kennedy’s “Moon Trip” Vision: I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the Earth.
• Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” Speech:  A vision that has yet to be realized but has the potential to transform and empower American culture at all levels.

These vision statements have motivated people to move heaven and earth to achieve new heights. Note that some of the examples of vision statements have other sensory perceptions embedded in them. We may like the taste of milk and honey; the round table provides a feeling of empowerment and equality; imagining the moon trip evokes much curiosity regarding feelings; and “I have a dream” provides feelings of good will in peace. There are many vision statements listed were or are actualized at a high level, yet there are vision statements at various levels that transform single organizations or businesses as well as higher level vision statements that transform larger masses of people.

Vision is transformational!

STRATEGY IS STATIC BUT VISION IS VIRAL

The point is that strategy for organizational development and planning leaves most people cold, except for the Mr. Spock geeks who get excited about the subject. One way to understand the difference between strategy and vision is to see the former as the space shuttle and the latter as the fuel. Without the fuel the space shuttle goes nowhere, thus the statement “strategy is static but vision is viral.

Working as a medical technologist provided this writer understanding of the meaning of the term “viral.” Working at the U.S. National Naval Medical Center in 1981 as a medical laboratory technician, the staff was informed of a yet unknown virus that had been identified mostly limited to homosexual males. Information was scarce and there was not even a name for the contagion. By 1982 the contagion was given the name “AIDS” – Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. By 1983 AIDS was reported among non-drug using women and children. By 1990 it was estimated that 8 million people were living with HIV worldwide. The virus had spread around the world in nine years. While this is a negative example of vision going viral, it does illustrate the idea from which the concept comes.

Using a positive illustration of vision, President Kennedy cast the vision of the moon landing in 1962 and it was accomplished in 1969. There was clearly a significant degree of interest, urgency, buy-in, and money invested into the vision to make it happen, but it would have never “gotten off of the ground” without the original vision cast by a person of influence.

Many vision statements are not visual.

VISION CREATES URGENCY

Federman reported that organizational leaders recited their vision statement with little personal passion or buy-in. I suggest that what they thought was a vision statement was no more that another strategy point. Vision creates urgency and buy-in among constituents and they will endure great challenges to see it become a reality because they can “see” it. Real vision takes on a life of its own but it always has three characteristics:

1. Vision is visual as it easily creates a mental image to which people can relate.
2. Vision is inspiring as it is something that people want to become real.
3. Vision is simple as it is easily passed from one person to another and to increasingly larger groups of people. Simple means that vision may be reduced to five words or less.

Vision statements should be five words or less!

Again, Federman is right by including tactility in the organizational development arsenal, but without vision, tactility may remain as just another rung on the ladder of a weak or failed strategy. The best strategy plan will include both tactility and vision.

Be sure to read Dr. Mark Federman’s response to this article: More On the End of Vision

QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT:

• Do you agree that vision is just as important as other elements of strategy planning
• Will you include both tactility and vision in your planning?
• Is your organization’s vision statement visual, inspiring, and simple?

——————–

Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC
He is an author, pastor, coach, and leadership specialist

Email | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web | Blog | Book

DISCIPLESHIP BEST PRACTICES: #12 – PROCLAMATION DISCIPLESHIP

Proclamation Discipleship

This series of articles explores thirteen major methods that are effective for making disciples. Keep in mind that in a ubiquitous (all encompassing, everywhere present) disciple-making process, virtually each method is not only encouraged but is planned into the church ministries. Here is a list including links to articles that have been completed in the series:

• Simple Discipleship: A Comprehensive Disciple-Making Plan- The Simple Discipleship Virtual Book Tour- (updated) originally posted in 2010
• DISCIPLESHIP BEST PRACTICES: 13 Ways to Make Disciples

1. Passive Discipleship: the least effective method but essential to support other methods

2. Private Discipleship: the Christian and the Holy Spirit (most effective but under used)

3. Presence Discipleship: In times of crisis the disciple invests time, assistance, and prayer.

4. Participation or Proximity Discipleship: applies to all areas but most of all to giving

5. Projected Discipleship: Actively but humbly projecting a Christian example of living Christ’s teachings.

6. Platform or Presentation Discipleship: preaching in church and lecture-style Bible study

7. Program Discipleship: Pre-packaged materials delivered in large or small groups.

8. Personal Discipleship: One-on-one discipleship (very effective but seldom used)

9. Peer Group Discipleship: Bible study and Sunday School

10.  Practical Discipleship: Hands on service, evangelism, and missional projects

11.  Proficiency Discipleship: Leadership Development

12.  Proclamation Discipleship: Evangelism and preaching to unchurched

13.  Process Discipleship: All of the above delivered in a systematic way

 

WHAT IS PROCLAMATION DISCIPLESHIP?

Also known as open air preaching, street preaching, mass evangelism, and public preaching, proclamation discipleship has been used effectively for centuries…that’s right…centuries. There are three common elements of this discipleship method: 1) a large group of non-Christians or unchurched, 2) a compelling evangelistic message, and 3) an invitation to repent. Consider several biblical examples of proclamation discipleship:

• Jonah reluctantly went to preach to the people of Nineveh as recorded in the Bible book Jonah. His mission was ultimately successful as the whole population repented.
• Jesus Christ effectively used proclamation discipleship on many occasions but a specific example is The Sermon on the Mount as recorded in Matthew 5-7. Though there appears to be no invitation given, Jesus’ clearly implied that he expected a clear decision of repentance.
• The book of Acts records several examples of proclamation discipleship by the apostle Paul. One such example is found in Acts 17:16-34 where Paul proclaimed the gospel to the Athenians.

Extra-biblical examples of proclamation discipleship include mass preaching events lead by well known leaders such as George Whitefield, John Wesley, Luis Palau and others. Luis Palau claims to have preached to audiences totaling one billion people at evangelistic events. Perhaps the most well known example is Billy Graham who has preached to live audiences of over 200 million people in 185 countries with estimated additional 86 million media listeners. Many people received Christ as a result of these well known major leaders who perfected proclamation discipleship. There are many others who have practiced this method of discipleship or evangelism and their efforts have certainly enlarged the Kingdom of God.

PROCLAMATION DISCIPLESHIP IN THE 21^ST CENTURY

Proclamation discipleship was used effectively by the leaders mentioned in the previous section and received prominence during the growth of the early church and during the period of the 17^th through the 20^th centuries. It does however seem that the use of this method of discipleship/evangelism is declining. Billy Graham and Luis Palau used the method most effectively through the end of the 20^th century but as yet there has not been a prominent evangelist to succeed them.

Much of what is called evangelism is directed to people who are already Christians. 

The people of the world are spiritually hungry and are searching for something to fill their void. For many people, the message of Christ by proclamation disciplists was the answer. Perhaps the massive church meetings in stadiums by a few mega-church pastors are seen as a movement that replaces a movement but they are not the same. A large mass meeting of church members is not the same as a crusade targeting many unchurched and/or non-Christians. The end of the 20^th century saw many “evangelists” focus their efforts on local church revivals instead of open-air-preaching to reach the unchurched and non-Christians. This writer sees this as a devolution or degeneration of true mass evangelism or proclamation discipleship. There is room for a new servant to emerge who will succeed the proclamation disciplists of previous generations.

 QUESTIONS:

1. Do you agree with the term “proclamation discipleship” as being the same as mass evangelism?
2. Reflect on the recent development of evangelists targeting church revivals instead of the unchurched and non-Christians.
3. Do you see a new major proclamation disciplist emerging?

SD Blessings,

Dr. Tom Cocklereece, The Disciplist

——————–
Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC
Author “Simple Discipleship,” contributing writer L2L Blogazine
He is a pastor, an author, professional coach, and leadership specialist
Email | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web | Blog | Book | Coaching Site

DISCIPLESHIP BEST PRACTICES: #11 – PROFICIENCY DISCIPLESHIP

Christian Leadership Development Model

This series of articles explores thirteen major methods that are effective for making disciples. Keep in mind that in a ubiquitous (all encompassing, everywhere present) disciple-making process, virtually each method is not only encouraged but is planned into the church ministries. Here is a list including links to articles that have been completed in the series:

• Simple Discipleship: A Comprehensive Disciple-Making Plan- The Simple Discipleship Virtual Book Tour- (updated) originally posted in 2010
• DISCIPLESHIP BEST PRACTICES: 13 Ways to Make Disciples

1. Passive Discipleship: the least effective method but essential to support other methods

2. Private Discipleship: the Christian and the Holy Spirit (most effective but under used)

3. Presence Discipleship: In times of crisis the disciple invests time, assistance, and prayer.

4. Participation or Proximity Discipleship: applies to all areas but most of all to giving

5. Projected Discipleship: Actively but humbly projecting a Christian example of living Christ’s teachings.

6. Platform or Presentation Discipleship: preaching in church and lecture-style Bible study

7. Program Discipleship: Pre-packaged materials delivered in large or small groups.

8. Personal Discipleship: One-on-one discipleship (very effective but seldom used)

9. Peer Group Discipleship: Bible study and Sunday School

10.  Practical Discipleship: Hands on service, evangelism, and missional projects

11.  Proficiency Discipleship: Leadership Development

12.  Proclamation Discipleship: Evangelism and preaching to unchurched

13.  Process Discipleship: All of the above delivered in a systematic way

INTRODUCTION

This article in the “Discipleship Best Practices” series presents the greatest challenge as there are a myriad of articles, blogs, and books on the subject of “leadership.” Unfortunately, there is not an equal focus on leadership development as related to discipleship. Perhaps we are looking for that quick-fix, magic button, next big thing, simple and easy way of developing leaders. Sorry…you will not find it here. As with discipleship, developing leaders is a process and it takes time. I marvel that few church leaders and churches even have any kind of real leadership development process. I have written on the subject before in the articles IMPROVING YOUR CHURCH’S CULTURE: 11- Leadership Training   and #11 The Twelve Most Important Questions You Will Ever Ask About Your Church: What is our leadership development process? 

 For this article I will build on the cited articles and I want to challenge readers who are responsible for the design of leadership training to include what I consider to be the soil of great Christian leaders—the mind of a leader and the humility of a leader.

WE NEED PROFICIENCY DISCIPLESHIP

What is “proficiency discipleship?” “Proficiency”  is defined as “advancement in knowledge or skill.” For the purpose of this article and series the term will apply to leadership development of Christians.

The following story was quite common before the internet and distance education but is still a challenge as few churches offer internships or leadership development opportunities:

In the 1980s I knew the Lord wanted me to someday serve as a pastor. I was working toward a degree so I could later go to seminary but I wanted to get started with hands on ministry. The church where I attended offered no real training other than as a Bible study teacher for which I had a large following. My pastor was somewhat paranoid of other preachers and teachers in the church and rarely gave us any opportunities to do anything outside of our normal service. I made appointments with pastors of several other churches to discuss opportunities for ministry training and experienced rejection at worst and indifference at best. I found it necessary to essentially settle for waiting until going to seminary before getting some hands on training other than teaching Bible study.

For the purpose of this article we are not just speaking of those who may become pastors but also of Christians who will go on to serve as deacons, elders, and teachers in the local church. What qualities should they possess and what may a church do to develop their yearning desire to serve into ministry proficiency?

Church leaders need to develop or at least provide for the leadership development of potential and new leaders in the church. Training should include hands-on supervised ministry in the church. I particularly like the Unlimited Partnerships model of providing peer group leadership training for ministry while the leader is actively serving. I also like the organization Truth@Work as they have Christian leadership coaches who develop proficiency discipleship programs for leaders in the workplace. Churches are far behind when it comes to proficiency discipleship. Take the step and start Christian coaching ministries and leadership development ministries in your church and community. The best proficiency discipleship programs will include modules using each of the thirteen ways to make disciples.

PROFICIENCY DISCIPLESHIP CULTIVATES CHARACTER

In my book Simple Discipleship: How to Make Disciples in the 21^st Century I discussed a leadership training model that merges the principles of Simple Discipleship and Ken Blanchard’s leadership training model discussed in his book Lead Like Jesus. Here is a verbal description that corresponds with the Simple Discipleship visual shown in this article:

1. WORSHIP—Heart- “What do I value?” (Self-leadership effectiveness)
2. WORD—Head- “What do I believe?” (One-on-one leadership effectiveness)
3. MINISTRY—Hands- “What do I do?” (Team leadership effectiveness)
4. MISSIONS—Habits- “What do people say?” (Community Leadership effectiveness)

Note the four points above and the progressive spiritual growth that is illustrated as one lives the Christian life in relationship to self, in personal individual relationships, to a small group or team, and to the community outside the church. This is consistent with the principles of 1 Timothy 3:7 which says, “Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” (NKJV)

Leadership skills do not develop in a vacuum but are cultivated and nurtured as one lives the Christian life around the cross daily. “Progressive spiritual maturity develops as one grows from WORSHIP to WORD to MINISTRY, and to MISSIONS” (Simple Discipleship, 102). Some spiritual maturity elements such as humility are cultivated in the WORSHIP domain as one gives heart-felt participation in private and public worship. Humility is the result of seeing oneself in the presence of God. An Isaiah 6 experience helps one put self and God in the proper perspective. Humility may grow over a period of time and continued connection with God through living life around the cross, i.e. WORSHIP, WORD, MINISTRY, and MISSIONS. Humility matures in the MINISTRY domain as one eagerly seeks to serve others. A distinction must be drawn between “humiliation” and “humility,” as the former is inflicted or forced upon a person and the latter is heart-felt and voluntary. The fruit of humility in a disciple’s life also shows up in the MISSIONS domain as integrity and trust.

The point is that churches should develop a leadership development process for potential leaders that cultivates faith, humility, integrity, and character. It is fair to say that a leader who has been tested in the four Simple Discipleship domains and is found to possess faith, humility, integrity, and character will be a good servant leader. A potential leader found lacking in either of the four qualities will likely not be a good servant leader.

PROFICIENCY DISCIPLESHIP HELPS LEADERS THINK DIFFERENTLY

A common proverb about leadership is, “A leader on a journey with no one following is only out on a walk.” With all of the discussion and programs available for leadership development, we are producing few leaders. Not only are we missing the boat when it comes to cultivating Christian character as illustrated above but we also fail to cultivate the thinking of potential leaders. Leaders think differently! Jesus did and later Paul the apostle. Space does not allow an inclusion of many historical Christian leaders who thought differently and transformed some area of their community.

Liz Mellon in her book Inside the Leader’s Mind: Five Ways to Think Like a Leader, has identified some interesting points of leadership development that may be neglected. I list them here with my own revisions for Christian leaders:

1. Leaders push the boundaries with God as their safety net.
2. Leaders are comfortable in discomfort as they lead others to a new spiritual level.
3. Leaders exude spiritual confidence to those they lead.
4. Leaders are aware of their role in the life of those they lead as related to God’s plan and purpose for a specific contextual ministry.
5. Leaders assimilate the identity of their ministry and vice versa; this is required for “big picture” long-term transformational leadership

Perhaps these five points will be discussed in a future article.

SD Blessings,

Dr. Tom Cocklereece, The Disciplist

QUESTIONS:

1. Describe the leadership development process of your church or ministry.
2. How would a leadership development process change the culture of your church?
3. Do the five descriptions of how leaders think describe you?

——————–
Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC
Author “Simple Discipleship,” contributing writer L2L Blogazine
He is a pastor, an author, professional coach, and leadership specialist
Email | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web | Blog | Book | Coaching Site

WHAT IS SIMPLE DISCIPLESHIP?

2011 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 25,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 9 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

THE TOP TEN SIMPLE DISCIPLESHIP ARTICLES OF 2011

2011 has seen exponential growth for our Simple Discipleship ministry and blog. Since January the traffic on the blog has increased from about 10,000 views per year as of late 2010 to over 40,000 views per year based on December 2011 stats. The blog now has over 700 followers from 173 nations. I am deeply humbled by the opportunity to provide leadership materials to so many Christians who are serious about making disciples. I look forward to writing many new helpful articles in 2012 and I am currently writing an article titled: Discipleship Best Practices: Proficiency Discipleship…it will be one of my best!

In 2009 Churchsmart resources published my book Simple Discipleship and in 2011 my own company published two new workbooks: The Disciple-Maker’s Toolkit Learner Edition  and The Disciple-Maker’s Toolkit Leader Edition. The book is targeted to help pastors and church leaders, the Toolkit Learner Edition is targeted to help all Christians, and the Toolkit Leader Edition is targeted to help Sunday school/small group leaders and Christian Life Coaches. These materials are available at the Simple Discipleship website.

I have some open dates for discipleship conferences in 2012 and hope to fill those dates early in the New Year. If you are a pastor, church leader, or denominational leader serving within 100 miles of Atlanta, GA, invite me to an informational meeting or just lunch. I enjoy meeting leaders and talking about discipleship. Speaking opportunities at annual meetings are welcomed as leaders begin focussing on yearly planning for their disciple-making ministries. For discipleship and speaking events outside the Atlanta, GA area, I accept love or gift offerings when the inviting host pays for travel, meals, and housing. Contact me at tom@simplediscipleship.com for availability and details.

The map below shows the locations of readers of the Simple Discipleship @ WordPress blog for most of 2011. As long as leaders keep reading I will keep writing. The large red dots represent from 100 to 999 hits from that location while the smallest red dots may only represent one hit. The small yellow dots were “most recent hits” as of the time the graphic was made. The map represents about 20,000 hits since January 26, 2011.

Some of the statistics from nations outside the U.S. are surprising. Below is a graphic of the top 2o nations with SD blog readers. Several of the nations with many readers of Christian leadership and discipleship materials are from predominately Muslim populations. Clearly there is a growing hunger for quality Christian articles to help develop leaders around the world.

Simple Discipleship blog Readers

Here are the top ten Simple Discipleship articles for 2011:

1. Evangelism without Discipleship
2. Simple Discipleship: A Comprehensive Disciple-Making Plan- The Simple Discipleship Virtual Book Tour- (updated)
3. DISCIPLESHIP BEST PRACTICES: 1-PASSIVE DISCIPLESHIP
4. IMPROVING YOUR CHURCH’S CULTURE: 11- Leadership Training
5. DISCIPLESHIP INCLUDES ENCOURAGING JEREMIAH PASTORS
6. HOW TO MEASURE SPIRITUAL VITALITY
7. DISCIPLESHIP BEST PRACTICES: 13 Ways to Make Disciples
8. DISCIPLESHIP BEST PRACTICES: 7- PROGRAM DISCIPLESHIP
9. THE RED PILL OR THE BLUE PILL?
10. THE RISE OF THE HOUSE-CHURCH: IS GOD GETTING US READY?

Sometimes I am surprised at the articles that receive broad readership and those that are read by a few. Regardless, I am thankful for this discipleship ministry the Lord had given me. Have a great 2012!

SD Blessings,

Dr. Tom Cocklereece, The Disciplist

 QUESTIONS:

1. How have the articles on the Simple Discipleship @ WordPress blog helped you?
2. What church leadership articles would you like to see in 2012?

——————–
Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC
Author “Simple Discipleship,” contributing writer L2L Blogazine
He is a pastor, an author, professional coach, and leadership specialist
Email | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web | Blog | Book | Coaching Site

HOW TO DO A 40 DAY PRAYER FOCUS

I recently came to a point in life and ministry where I felt I needed greater clarity from the Lord regarding future vision and direction. I wanted to be sure of the future vision for the church I pastor, a clearer understanding of the growing discipleship ministry I lead called Simple Discipleship, and direction regarding some personal issues and concerns. The many demands and daily concerns of pastoral leadership can sometimes become like a logjam such that clarity seems increasingly impossible. I knew that struggling alone with the problem endlessly would be a confirmation of weakness so I took the better path of strength and asked for some help. I contacted a dear friend, Mark Mirza who leads a prayer ministry called Common Thread Ministries. After hearing my heart, Mark developed a 40-day prayer plan for general guidance but a guide may be developed for any specific or general issue. It was one of the best things I have ever done for spiritual growth.

At the outset I decided to do a modified fast during the 40 days and was surprised that I actually gained weight. Now I understand what happened to Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when they used what we call the Daniel Diet and became healthier than the other men in the king’s court. I used the time that I would normally spend eating to pray. I highly recommend a 40-day prayer focus as a spiritual growth and renewal experience.  Here are some benefits you may experience.

13 BENEFITS OF A 40 DAY PRAYER FOCUS

1. A closer relationship with God
2. A greater self awareness of sin
3. Understanding of God’s plan for your life, work, and ministry
4. Victory over habitual sin
5. Develop new positive habits.
6. An increased love and concern for others
7. Increased prayer power focus on people and problems
8. Increased quality of worship as a by-product of a closer walk with Jesus
9. Increased awareness of prayer needs of others
10. Better prioritizing and seeing what is truly important
11. Increased inner harmony and life-balance
12. Learn to practice (experience) the presence of God all of the time
13. See God work wonders in and through your life 
14. Tear down idols in one’s life (yes,…you have some…during a 40 day prayer focus God will identify them)

WHY “40 DAYS” FOR A PRAYER FOCUS?

Some suggest that there is nothing special or particularly instructive about the use of “forty days” in the Bible. However, while it is not a magic number, the forty day period has useful biblical examples that may be applied to our lives. Consider some of the biblical record:

• Genesis 7:4- God caused it to rain on the earth for 40 days and nights
• Exodus 24:18; 34:28- Moses was on the mountain with God for 40 days
• Numbers 13:25- The Israelite spies were sent into Canaan for 40 days
• Deuteronomy 9:25- Moses interceded for Israel for 40 days
• Jonah 3:4- Nineveh is given 40 days in with to repent
• Matthew 4:2- Jesus fasted 40 days during his temptation

Another reason the forty day period of time may be important is that it takes twenty one to twenty eight days to break a bad habit and as many as sixty six days for a new habit to be formed. Note that 40 days is about halfway between the 21 and 66 day points suggesting that it is a critical point of breaking a bad habit and making a new one. All of this suggests that the biblical 40-day period may be an important time after all.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR A 40-DAY PRAYER FOCUS

Use the following prayer guide during a 40-day prayer focus on the issue of anger. The point is to bring one’s anger under control and replace anger with harmony. This means that one must learn to leverage the positive and diminish the negative. For maximum effectiveness one should incorporate a fast or modified fast into the prayer focus. People struggling with diabetes and other medical problems should not fast. A modified fast may consist of a vegetable or yogurt drink for two meals for each day and a regular meal at supper. (Consult your physician before beginning a fast.) Prayer should be enjoined in the morning as well as at other times through the day.

The idea is to become self aware of your inner attitude with the goal of giving control to the Holy Spirit. Begin and end each day reading the daily passage as well as planning on how you might handle situations. At the end of the day evaluate how you did. By releasing others from your anger you are releasing yourself. Choose one or two people to be your accountability partners during the 40 days. Give them updates along the way of how you are doing, your spiritual growth, and what big things the Lord may be doing.

 

——————-

 

40-Day Prayer Plan

SUBJECT: CONTROLING ANGER

This 40-Day Prayer Plan is intended to help one who is struggling with anger. Anger is a natural human emotion through which one chooses how to react either to bless or to curse and to help or to hurt. Hebrew terms from the Old Testament are instructive in understanding the meaning. One term in the OT means “nostril,” reflecting the physical and facial reaction of one when he becomes angry. Other terms mean “indignation,” “be enraged,” “be angry,” “be irritated,” or “boiling rage.” The New Testament term “thymos” is a word from which English derives “thermostat” and other similar terms. The meaning is “wrath” or “anger.”

(from International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, revised edition, Copyright © 1979 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. All rights reserved.)

 

Day One

²⁶ “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, ²⁷ nor give place to the devil. Ephesians 4:26-27 (NKJV)

Day Two

⁶ “Why are you so angry?” the LORD asked him. “Why do you look so dejected? ⁷ You will be accepted if you respond in the right way. But if you refuse to respond correctly, then watch out! Sin is waiting to attack and destroy you, and you must subdue it.” Genesis 4:6-7 (NLT)

Day Three

Don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Interlude Psalms 4:4 (NLT)

Day Four

²⁴ Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, ²⁵ Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul. Proverbs 22:24-25 (NKJV)

Day Five

As surely as a wind from the north brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger! Proverbs 25:23 (NLT)

Day Six          

A hot-tempered person starts fights and gets into all kinds of sin. Proverbs 29:22 (NLT)

Day Seven     

Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9 (NKJV)

Day Eight

But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. Jonah 4:1 (NKJV)     (Consider what happened to Jonah as a result of his anger with God.)

Day Nine

But I say, if you are angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! Matthew 5:22 (NLT)

Day Ten

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret–it only causes harm. Psalms 37:8 (NKJV)

Day Eleven

A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 (NKJV) 

Day Twelve

A hothead starts fights; a cool-tempered person tries to stop them. Proverbs 15:18 (NLT)

Day Thirteen

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32 (NKJV)

Day Fourteen

People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs. Proverbs 19:11 (NLT)

Day Fifteen

Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling. Proverbs 20:3 (NLT)

Day Sixteen

Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but who can survive the destructiveness of jealousy? Proverbs 27:4 (NLT)

Day Seventeen

Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9 (NKJV)

Day Eighteen

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. Ephesians 4:31 (NKJV)

Day Nineteen

But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Colossians 3:8 (NKJV)

Day Twenty

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV)

Day Twenty-one

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30 (NKJV)

Day Twenty-two

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV)

Day Twenty-three

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1 (NKJV)

Day Twenty-four

⁴ Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud ⁵ or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NLT)

Day Twenty-five

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:7 (NLT)

Day Twenty-six

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 (NKJV)

Day Twenty-seven

A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil. Proverbs 13:19 (NKJV)

Day Twenty-eight

When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 (NKJV)

Day Twenty-nine

In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, But the lips of the wise will preserve them. Proverbs 14:3 (NKJV)

Day Thirty

A proud and haughty man–”Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride. Proverbs 21:24 (NKJV)

Day Thirty-one         

²⁰ And then he added, “It is the thought-life that defiles you. ²¹ For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, ²² adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. ²³ All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you and make you unacceptable to God.” Mark 7:20-23 (NLT)

Day Thirty-two

⁸ Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, ⁹ holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. ¹⁰ But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. 1 Timothy 3:8-10 (NKJV)                     

Day Thirty-three

¹⁵ Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–is not of the Father but is of the world. ¹⁷ And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17 (NKJV)

Day Thirty-four

⁵ Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! ⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. ⁷ For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.

Day Thirty-five

⁸ But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. ¹¹ Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? ¹² Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. James 3:5-12 (NKJV)

Day Thirty-six

This is what the LORD says: “The people of Edom have sinned again and again, and I will not forget it. I will not let them go unpunished any longer! They chased down their relatives, the Israelites, with swords. They showed them no mercy and were unrelenting in their anger. Amos 1:11 (NLT)

Day Thirty-seven

Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls. Proverbs 25:28 (NKJV)

Day Thirty-eight

¹⁴ But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. ¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. ¹⁸ Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:14-18 (NKJV)

Day Thirty-nine

“Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.” Mark 9:50 (NKJV)

Day Forty

¹¹ My child, don’t ignore it when the LORD disciplines you, and don’t be discouraged when he corrects you. ¹² For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. ¹³ Happy is the person who finds wisdom and gains understanding. Proverbs 3:11-13 (NLT)

SD Blessings,

Dr. Tom Cocklereece, The Disciplist

 QUESTIONS:

1. What benefits that are not listed would you add?
2. To what degree is some form of fasting a beneficial part of a 40-day prayer focus?
3. Expound on how this exercise may enhance one’s spiritual growth.

——————–
Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC
Author “Simple Discipleship,” contributing writer L2L Blogazine
He is a pastor, an author, professional coach, and leadership specialist
Email | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web | Blog | Book | Coaching Site

HOW TO USE SIMPLE DISCIPLESHIP MATERIALS

Our ministry has grown exponentially in the last year with over 700 readers from 173 nations. Most of the churches using the Simple Discipleship process are from the United States and Canada. Users of Simple Discipleship include all of the evangelical denominations and non-denominations and that is an answer to our prayer. We never intended for the materials to be limited to a single denomination but we hoped to make a contribution to the growth of the Kingdom of God. With the introduction of new materials on the Simple Discipleship website, we felt it might be useful to clarify how the materials may be used to get the most out of them.

THE SIMPLE DISCIPLESHIP BOOK IS FOR CHURCH LEADERS

The book Simple Discipleship is written primarily to church and ministry leaders. Church planters are also finding Simple Discipleship is particularly useful to begin with the right disciple-making DNA. Part One describes the concepts, principles, and biblical foundation of the process. We challenge leaders to step back and look and the BIG picture of their ministry as related to the purpose of the church…to make disciple-makers. The book includes a Balanced Church Scorecard for measuring the process and many resources are on the CD in the back of the book. We challenge leaders to honestly struggle with the following questions:

• What process does your church use to make disciples?
• Define whether your church is using a collection of programs or a process.
• A process is measureable, continuous, includes a clear point of entry, sustainable, scalable, and reproducible.
• How do you know your disciple-making process is working?
• Attendance and offering numbers are inadequate metrics for measuring disciple-making effectiveness.
• Is your disciple-making process measurable?
• If we can show you a way to contextualize and implement an effective process, would you be interested?

Part Two of the book includes an integrated process for leading change in your church as you implement your new discipleship process. It is important that ministry leaders follow each step as rushing or skipping steps may reduce the effectiveness.

Chicken eggs require 21 days of incubation before they will hatch. That period of time cannot be shortened. The development of the chick cannot be hurried along. The same is true of the process of leading change. An interval of time at each step is necessary for elements of the process to be accepted and take hold in the formative aspects of the organizational DNA.

Don’t hurry and don’t skip steps in implementing the Simple Discipleship process. We also offer materials and coaching for leaders to increase the success of implementation of your discipleship process.

THE DISCIPLE-MAKER’S TOOLKIT IS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND SMALL GROUPS

Not long after the book Simple Discipleship was released by Church Smart Resources in 2009, ministry leaders began asking for a workbook for church members. Perhaps they intended something simpler, but we released The Disciple-Maker’s Toolkit in 2011 in both a Leader and Learner Edition. The Toolkit- Leader Edition should be used by any ministry leader, pastor, Christian coach, Sunday school teacher, or small group leader. A Christian who is serious about disciple-making will also benefit.

The Toolkit- Learner Edition is intended for all Christians at any point of spiritual growth. They will benefit from the assessments as well as the lessons. Many Christians have never been taught “How to Have a Daily Worship Time.” While many have been taught how to share their faith in a simple manner (included in the workbook), most have not been taught how to disciple a new Christian. These are just two examples.

Sally is a Christian of many years, as she is in her 80s. During the first use of The Disciple-Maker’s Toolkit, Sally said, “This is the absolute best study I have ever done. Some of these things I have never been taught as a Christian and they are things I should have known.”

The Disciple-Maker’s Toolkit is divided into 12 sessions that works well with the usual quarter or three month plan. It may be used with the book and process by church leaders or the Toolkit may be used individually or in small groups even if the church is not implementing the process.

Online Discipleship

USE BOTH THE BOOK, WORKBOOK, AND ONLINE COACHING FOR THE GREATEST BENEFIT

The book explains the concepts and process to ministry leaders and the workbook introduces the process to church members. The churches that are benefitting the most from the Simple Discipleship process are embracing the following steps:

1. Purchase and read the book Simple Discipleship as well as The Disciple-Maker’s Toolkit in either edition but the Leader Edition is recommended.
2. Purchase copies of the book Simple Discipleship for each primary leader of the church. Again, it is useful for them to receive a copy of the Toolkit in either edition.
3. Primary leaders purchase and receive online coaching from me, the author or a leader who has received Disciple Coach training.
4. Purchase one or all three sets of sermon series materials that were developed for the process:

• Series 1- “What Does it Mean to Follow Christ?” series includes 9 sermon outlines, 9 coordinated PowerPoint presentations, and 9 sermon-based small group Bible study sheets.
• Series 2- “What Do Disciples Do?” series includes 11 sermon outlines, 11 PowerPoint presentations, and 11 sermon-based small group Bible studies used to drive Simple Discipleship values into the DNA of the church.
• Series 3- “The Stages of Spiritual Growth” series includes 8 sermon outlines, 8 PowerPoint presentations, and 8 semon-based small group studies to encourage spiritual growth using the Simple Discipleship process. Each sermon includes an editable MS Word manuscript, MS PowerPoint presentation, and sermon-based Bible study sheet for reproduction.

The complete process may be implemented at highly reasonable cost or investment into the future of the church. If members bear some or all of the cost of materials the cost of materials, coaching, and sermon series materials to the church leadership may be approximately $500.00 for a small church and $1,500.00 for a large church.

Discipleship is a investment into evangelism futures!

Go to http://www.simplediscipleship.com to purchase materials. Discounts for quantity orders of more than 10 books may be given upon request to orders@simplediscipleship.com . Purchase through the website gives no discount except where noted.

SD Blessings,

Dr. Tom Cocklereece, The Disciplist

QUESTIONS:

1. Would Simple Discipleship benefit your church?
2. What would encourage you to implement Simple Discipleship?
3. Why or why not?

——————–
Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC
Author “Simple Discipleship,” contributing writer L2L Blogazine
He is a pastor, an author, professional coach, and leadership specialist
Email | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web | Blog | Book | Coaching Site

SIMPLE DISCIPLESHIP SYNOPSIS

A SIMPLE CHURCH DISCIPLESHIP PROCESS

Simple Discipleship (SD) is a process for leading and motivating Christians to greater spiritual maturity and participation. It is a return to biblical and organic transformational discipleship. SD reflects Jesus’ model of discipleship, providing adequate instruction and emphasizing practical hands-on experience. Only in this manner do the essential values of the Christian faith become core values of followers of Christ. Simple Discipleship is not a program added on to others. Instead, it should serve as a framework for all of a church’s ministries. It is a non-denominational missional church ministry process that empowers the church membership, creating synergy and growth at three levels—individual, Sunday school/small group, and congregational.

INCLUDES A CONGREGATIONAL BALANCED SCORECARD

Simple Discipleship was the first (November 2009) to provide a functional reproducible balanced scorecard for church leaders. Using the 360 Survey (Spiritual Vitality Assessment), leaders may assess the spiritual vitality of their church and measure the church’s Community Missional Footprint. Simple Discipleship provides measurements of attendance and participation across four essential ministry values or dimensions—Worship (connect), Word (grow), Ministry (serve), and Missions (go). The four primary values are built around a visual of the cross with each “quadrant” representing one of the four primary dimensions of ministry. Each primary value domain includes embedded biblical expectations or behaviors of true growing disciples of Christ. Simple Discipleship functions as a framework for the ministries of the local church and provides as much or as little structure as the leadership may desire.

PART 1 EXPLAINS THE SIMPLE DISCIPLESHIP PROCESS

Part 1 explains the various elements of Simple Discipleship and their relationships to one another. Chapters 2 and 3 present a description of the SD components, while chapter 4 provides the biblical foundation for the process and associated expectations. Chapter 5 discusses a self evaluation survey that provides measurements for the SD process. Chapter 5 provides ideas for SD for family and children’s ministry. Chapter 7 is a discipleship innovation for SD as principles of coaching for transformational change are integrated into evangelism, new Christian spiritual formation, life coaching, and leadership training. Chapter 8 includes visual models that will help readers more easily grasp the new way of thinking about discipleship and how the process is related to values, coaching, strategy, and change management. The chapter on visual models also serves as a bridge from what SD is to how to apply SD.

PART 2 PROVIDES A STEP BY STEP STARTUP GUIDE

Part 2 is comprised of chapters 9 through 13, which serve as a systematic implementation guide for SD, but these chapters also incorporate principles of change management that are essential to success. SD graphics, forms, reports, and other items are provided in the appendix and on the resource CD which is included in the back of the book.

Simple Discipleship: How to Make Disciples in the 21^st Century will change how your church makes disciples and will provide the needed tools to redesign your detached programs into an effective disciple-making process.

Use The Disciple-Maker’s Toolkit for to drive the disciple-making DNA into the church culture. The Toolkit is available in a Leader Edition for Christian discipleship coaches, Sunday school leaders, and small group leaders. The Learner Edition is available for laymen.

Other Information

Publisher: ChurchSmart Resources, 3830 Ohio Ave., Saint Charles, IL 60174

Pages: 235 paperback

• ISBN-10: 1889638870
• ISBN-13: 978-1889638874

Release Date: November 2009

For further information contact: Tom Cocklereece at 404-229-3383 or drthomreece@bellsouth.net

Order Information:

Simple Discipleship website:         http://www.simplediscipleship.com

Church Smart Resources (publisher)    http://www.churchsmart.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=SD

Amazon.com  http://www.amazon.com/dp/1889638870