Holy Spirit
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
- Passive Discipleship: the least effective method but essential to support other methods
- Private Discipleship: the Christian and the Holy Spirit (most effective but under used)
- Presence Discipleship: In times of crisis the disciple invests time, assistance, and prayer.
- Participation or Proximity Discipleship: applies to all areas but most of all to giving
- Projected Discipleship: Actively but humbly projecting a Christian example of living Christ’s teachings.
- Platform or Presentation Discipleship: preaching in church and lecture-style Bible study
- Program Discipleship: Pre-packaged materials delivered in large or small groups.
- Personal Discipleship: One-on-one discipleship (very effective but seldom used)
- Peer Group Discipleship: Bible study and Sunday School
- Practical Discipleship: Hands on service, evangelism, and missional projects
- Proficiency Discipleship: Leadership Development
- Proclamation Discipleship: Evangelism and preaching to unchurched
- Process Discipleship: All of the above delivered in a systematic way
Evaluate how you and your church are doing in the 13 methods of discipleship: Copy of 13 Ways to Make Disciples_Evaluation
Two-sided Coin
WHAT IS PARTICIPATION AND PROXIMITY DISCIPLESHIP?
Ok…I will agree that I may be stretching the title of this article to keep the “P” alliteration going but it is largely based on my own observations of the behavior of disciples. PARTICIPATION and PROXIMITY discipleship are two sides of the same stewardship coin. The participation side invites the disciple to give sacrificially as a partner in ministry and spreading the Kingdom of God. Perhaps we should define “proximity” which is “closeness.” The proximity side of the coin is reliant on the disciple’s closeness to the Lord in relationship. A disciple’s stewardship is directly related to his/her being in tune and connected to God’s plan for them. A disciple lacks clear vision and understanding of how to participate in God’s work when the disciple lacks close proximity with God. Consider the council of Jeremiah:
For I know the plans I have for you”—⌊this is⌋ the Lord’s declaration—“plans for ⌊your⌋ welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (HCSB)
It is true that each discipleship best practice requires PARTICIPATION but to be a part of God’s Great Commission in a deeper way requires sacrificial giving. There is no way around it even though many Christians try their best to rationalize why they do not give their money and resources to further the Kingdom work of God. As a less spiritually mature Christian, I was one of those who tried to substitute time, service, and a pittance of giving in place of sacrificial giving of all I have and produce. How wrong I was and I now recognize it was a problem of PROXIMITY also. Proximity is a word that means “nearness” or “closeness.” I certainly was not as close as I should have been to the Lord in meaningful relationship.
A disciple’s stewardship is directly related to his/her being in tune and connected to God’s plan for them. A disciple lacks clear vision and understanding of how to participate in God’s work when the disciple lacks close proximity with God.
We must also understand that there are people who can and do give significant amounts of money but may not have a close relationship with the Lord. Thus, my emphasis is on both PARTICIPATION and PROXIMITY for this method of discipleship.
PARTICIPATION DISCIPLESHIP IS GIVING YOUR TIME, TALENTS, AND TREASURE
Many people will give significant amounts of money and resources to invest in their retirement and estate. Christians also get caught up into the pursuit of money and sometimes forget into which future they are investing. No, this is not investing money so one receives 100 shares of real estate at the Mansions Made in Heaven development. However, as every ministry leader knows, ministry in today’s economy costs money and we must have maturing disciples who are willing to give their tithes and offerings on purpose to reach people for Christ.
Disciples who are committed to Christ participate in reaching and discipling people using their time, talents, and treasure.
Proximity Map
PROXIMITY DISCIPLESHIP INSURES THE RIGHT PRIORITIES
I like those maps you see in public buildings that say “You are here.” Have you ever felt you were looking at a proximity map that said “You are here” but “God is over here.?” Walter and Reba were an elderly Christian couple who might be compared to today’s minimalist mindset people but from their point of view they were maximizers. Most people might assume they were a poor family, but what Walter and Reba never advertised was that they purposely lived frugally so that they could give more to the church where they served. Because of their sacrificial giving, their mission church was able to afford a full-time pastor, part-time worship/youth leader, and the youth always had funds for special ministry projects. While some were perplexed by their spiritual decision to live frugally so they could give toward God’s work, growing Christians saw their example as something to which to aspire and attain for themselves—projected discipleship…ah, another method to consider. (Projected discipleship is more than passive discipleship. It is actively but humbly projecting a Christian example of living Christ’s teachings.)
Living in step with Christ (close proximity) helps his disciples to set their priorities. One way one may do this is by consistently having an appointment with God for daily prayer and mutual conversation. As ambassadors of Christ in an alien world, we may see Christians as a special ops team fighting a spiritual war. With a daily appointment with Christ, the special ops team sets their watches to match his time. This is a reasonable illustration of disciples setting the proper priorities as a result of being close to Christ.
HOW TO APPLY PARTICIPATION AND PROXIMITY DISCIPLESHIP
- Church leaders must put into practice participation and proximity discipleship.
- Boldly teach, preach, and practice biblical stewardship.
- View all of the other discipleship methods as investments into disciples to grow them to a maturity level so they will participate and give as a result of their closeness to God.
- Cultivate spiritual vitality recognizing that people give more as they get closer to the Lord.
- Lead the church to a high level of financial integrity to encourage people to give.
- Recognize there are many Christians entangled in debt who may desire to give but are ashamed they cannot. Help them by providing a Financial Peace University group.
- Develop a church culture that says to people, “You are a ministry partner” instead of guilting people into giving.
- Cultivate giving by honoring those who give and communicating giving opportunities in such a manner that people want to give sacrificially.
Questions:
- What is your church doing to cultivate participation and proximity discipleship?
- On a scale of 0 to 10 how would you rate the financial integrity of your church?
- If your church hosts a Financial Peace University semester, would you participate?
- If your participation in a Financial Peace University or other stewardship education program led to reducing your debt, would you give more to your church?
- What additional application elements would you add to the list? Please add them under “comments.”
Make disciples!
Dr. Tom Cocklereece, The Disciplist
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Simple Discipleship: How to Make Disciples in the 21st Century was published by Church Smart Resources. To learn more about Simple Discipleship and to order the book, follow the link below:
http://www.simplediscipleship.com
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Dr. Tom Cocklereece is Author of “Simple Discipleship,” and a contributing writer for www.Linked2Leadership.com Blogazine. He is a pastor, leadership coach, and ministry development specialist.
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