THAT ONE THING DISCIPLES OF JESUS MUST DO!

After over twenty years serving as a pastor of churches, my “tent-making” job is that of working as a leadership trainer and executive sales coach for a training company. The experience has been enlightening and challenging. In every class or coaching session I ask the client, “What do you want to do after the class or session that you not currently doing?” This is a great question for pastors preparing for preaching and teaching but it is also a question we need to ask of every Christian and church.

Consider the following passage:

Matthew 4:18-22

¹⁸Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. ¹⁹Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” ²⁰They immediately left their nets and followed Him. ²¹Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, ²²and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. NKJV

Jesus’ purpose was to “make them into ‘fishers of men.’” Note that Jesus said, “I will make you fishers of men.” He did not say, “I will make you fish.” These were Jesus’ first words to those who would become not only disciples but apostles in the early church. Now let’s notice some of the final instructions to these same men:

Mt 28:18-20

¹⁸And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. NKJV

 

Of course this is the Great Commission and it summarizes the initial instructions Jesus gave these same men as to what it means to be “fishers of men.” It also answers that one question, “What do you want a person to do after he or she becomes a Christian that he or she is not currently doing?”

Note that Jesus said, “I will make you fishers of men.” He did not say, “I will make you into a fish.”

 MAKE DISCIPLES!

 

“THERE YOU GO AGAIN!”

Yes, I get that comment often but here is the question: How many people claiming to be Christians in your church have never led even one person to receive Jesus Christ as Lord? Statistics suggest that about 60% of Christians have not shared their faith in the last six months. I think the number is higher, especially in plateaued or declining churches because discipleship is no longer in their cultures. Considering the number of churches that fit that description, there are a lot of Christians who are not “fishers of men.” To qualify as a disciple of Jesus Christ, one should be making disciples.

A Christian that has not produced another Christian in a decade is a paradox and contradiction!

A sales person that has not sold anything is not a sales person. A Christian that has not produced another Christian in a decade is a paradox and contradiction! Working with a sales staff introduced me to another concept: “quota.” All competitive sales teams have a quota which is the desired number of sales they expect to make. Most quotas are set by the leadership of a company and it is usually challenging since this year’s quota is often set higher than last year’s quota. I am not suggesting that church leaders should set any kind of quota for baptisms or disciple-making. However, it is clear from Jesus’ words to his first disciples that he expected them to “catch some fish,” a euphemism for “make some disciples.”

THAT ONE THING DISCIPLES DO

Image credit: uatp2 / 123RF Stock Photo

There are stages of spiritual growth with the first stage being a new Christian. Of course, new Christians are not necessarily expected to make disciples but the Bible indicates that a person who has been a Christian for three or more years should be making disciples. Consider the stages of spiritual growth:

THE STAGES OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH

• Non-Christian– a person who has never received Jesus Christ as Lord and experienced salvation.

Stage 1: Babe in Christ– (Novice)  a new Christian hungry and feeding on the “milk of the word” and often fed by others (be careful who is feeding them); regresses easily (1 Corinthians 3:2)

A spiritually immature Christian may not grow very much before he or she gets sidetracked, discouraged, or backslidden. We call these conditions:

• Carnal Christian– a spiritually regressed and stagnant Christian seeking little spiritual nutrition (1 Corinthians 3:1, 3) Language and behavior often reflects non-Christian attitudes and immorality whether he or she is regular in attending church; does great damage to the reputation of Christ and Christians.
• Casual Christian– a spiritually stagnant Christian content with life (Matthew 13:22) Language and behavior may or may not reflect non-Christian attitudes and immorality. Tends to exhibit little commitment and does not actively seek to make disciples.

Continual growth is reflected in the following descriptions:

Stage 2: Growing Christian– (Apprentice)- a growing Christian feeding on solid spiritual food learning to feed herself but still vulnerable to regression (Hebrews 5:12-14) Language, behavior, and habits are increasingly more Christ-like and less course and less worldly. This Christian is making occasional attempts at sharing Christ and making disciples.

Stage 3: Advancing Christian– (Journeyman)- a growing Christian feeding herself the “deep things of God,” consistently led by the Holy Spirit, and less susceptible to regression  (1 Corinthians 2:10-11) Language, behavior, and habits are not only Christ-like but his or her example is in contrast to the worldly culture. This person intentionally making efforts to share Christ and disciple those who receive Christ.

Stage 4: Maturing Christian– (Master)- a growing Christian feeding self, others, and “bearing fruit,” and unlikely to regress (John 15:8) Language, behavior, and habits are not only Christ-like but he or she constantly influence others to become growing disciple-makers. This person is an evangelist disciplist, as sharing Christ is 1^st nature and discipling new Christians into leaders is the fruit of this person’s life.

(Much of the above material was first published in my book Simple Discipleship: How to Make Disciples in the 21^st Century.)

So, what should the people in your church be doing that they probably are not doing now?

 

MAKE DISCIPLE-MAKING DISCIPLES!

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Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC. He has 20 years experience as a  pastor, and is an author, certified professional coach and coach trainer, leadership specialist, and a member Coach/Teacher/Speaker for the John Maxwell Team

Email | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web | Blog | Book | Coaching | Leadership

ANYONE CAN BE A SERVANT OF GOD

Serve Christ!

The Simple Discipleship process includes four primary value dimensions based on the four color fields or quadrants surrounding the cross—Worship (red), Word (blue), Ministry (yellow), and Missions (green). The words summarize four broad dimensions of the Christian life and may also be stated—Know Christ, Grow in Christ, Serve Christ, and Share Christ. Much, if not all, of the Bible may be categorized using these four broad value-based dimensions. The following is a Simple Discipleship devotional.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE “CALLED” BY GOD?

Many Christians make the assumption that God specially “calls” people only to  ministry such as preachers, pastors, evangelists, and missionaries. Perhaps we need to understand the biblical concept of “calling.” By “calling” we mean that God specifically leads people to serve in the world, the church, and/or his kingdom in a certain role. We might call this “purpose driven” or understanding your purpose in life. The outworking of this is that in the context of prayer, worship, Bible reading, and meditation within the relationship between the individual and God, the person feels impressed to serve God in a certain way.

The Apostle Paul said, “This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop (Pastor), he desires a good work.” (1 Timothy 3:1) The word used for “desires” means “to stretch oneself out in order to touch or to grasp something or to reach after or desire something.” When expressed that way it sounds as if someone wakes up one day and says… “I want to be a pastor.” …which sounds so cliché like, “I could have had a V8.” Allow me to describe a “calling” with a personal experience:

MY CALLING

I had been a Christian for several years and as an early teenager I went on a youth trip. During that retreat I had the strong impression and feeling of God’s presence and that he wanted me to be a pastor someday. I did not know how to process this experience. My pastor met with me but offered little practical help with my growing impression. For several years every time I went to church, read the Bible, prayed, or passed by a church, I felt the Lord pulling at my heart with almost audible words in my mind, “I want you to serve me as a pastor.” The compelling impression became a “desire” once I acknowledged the calling and agreed with God’s purpose for my life. I did not begin to officially serve as a pastor until several years later but in my mind, once I agreed with God’s purpose for my life, I already was a pastor. This is in contrast with some of my friends at seminary who felt that they were not pastors until graduation from seminary. I contend that they failed to truly understand the meaning of a calling. They went to seminary to become pastors but I was a pastor who went to seminary.

The compelling impression of God’s calling me became a “desire” once I acknowledged the calling and agreed with God’s purpose for my life.

WHAT IS YOUR “CALLING?”

So far you are thinking that all of this discussion is fine for pastors but you may not see pastoring in your future. I believe God calls people to serve him as chefs, painters, teachers, medical technicians, doctors, janitors, architects, policemen, paramedics, and lawyers…yes, even lawyers. Consider the following Scripture:

¹Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ²“See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. ³And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, ⁴to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, ⁵in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship. ⁶“And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you: ⁷the tabernacle of meeting, the ark of the Testimony and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furniture of the tabernacle —  ⁸the table and its utensils, the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, the altar of incense, ⁹the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the laver and its base —  ¹⁰the garments of ministry, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, to minister as priests, ¹¹and the anointing oil and sweet incense for the holy place. According to all that I have commanded you they shall do.” (Exodus 31:1-11 NKJV)

The passage says that God gave specific knowledge and ability to people to serve him in particular ways, in this case, serving in careers other than as clergy. Goldsmiths, silversmiths, woodworkers, producers of oil, incense, and textiles were specially equipped and called by God to serve him to build, serve, and maintain the tabernacle. If your broader purpose is to glorify God through your work and share Christ as you have opportunities, then almost any moral profession may be used as a vehicle to serve the Lord. Pastors and others who serve churches have a special calling from God, but so can you. What has the Lord called you do do to serve him?

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Questions:

1. What has the Lord called you to do to serve him?

2. Share how God has used you to serve him in your non-church job.

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 Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC. He has 20 years experience as a  pastor, and is an author, professional coach, leadership specialist, and a member Coach/Teacher/Speaker for the John Maxwell Team

Email | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web | Blog | Book | Coaching | Leadership

DISCIPLESHIP IS CHRISTIAN CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

The church is losing the battle for souls on the battleground of Christian character—also known as—discipleship.  A Barna Study said that in America, 3,500 — 4,000 churches close their doors each year. Baptist Press reported that an average of 880 SBC churches per year closed their doors from 1999 to 2009. Many leaders say it is reflective of a lack of evangelism but it may be reflective of a couple of other problems:

1. …a long-time fascination with evangelism without evangelizing—talking and preaching about it without doing it, and
2. …a long-time fascination with evangelism without discipleship

Christian leaders and pastors seem to fail to see discipleship as Christian character development but that is exactly what it is.

FRUIT MUST HAVE A ROOT

Let’s take a moment and look at a Bible passage that clearly discusses the two kinds of character—that of a worldly person without Christ, and that of a Christian:

WORKS OF THE FLESH

¹⁹Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, ²⁰idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, ²¹envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

WORKS OF THE SPIRIT

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. ²⁴And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ²⁶Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:19-26 NKJV

Before we continue, let’s be clear of what we are not saying. Christians do not always do good deeds and non-Christians may live a quite moral life. However, the Apostle Paul is drawing a stark contrast so we may get his point and here is my point. What is described in the cited Bible verses are the outward behaviors but the acts are the fruit of inner character based on intrinsic heart values. There is no way around the fact that people do that which they intrinsically believe and it is seen as good or evil behaviors.

CHRISTIAN CHAR-AC-TER

The word “CHAR-AC-TER” is derived from a word that comes from the Greek language meaning “an engraved mark” or “symbol or imprint on the soul.” The imagery illustrates the point very well. When I was a teenager, my dad owned and ran a perpetual-care cemetery. It was one of those cemeteries that look like a nicely manicured park. Of course several weeks or months after the burial of an individual, the tombstone of the deceased would arrive on a big truck at which time a crew would unload the heavy granite or marble stone and proceed to install it at the head of the grave site. On at least one occasion, the name was misspelled. It is easy to fix a misspelled word on a word processor or when using a pen and paper, but a misspelling on a granite or marble tombstone is something not easily remedied. When the misspelled name is carved or engraved into the surface of the solid rock, it was necessary to reorder a new tombstone and discard the old one.

The point is that one’s character is carved deeply into one’s heart by way of intrinsic values, which is why it is so difficult for people to change. With people it must happen from the inside out by way of a spiritually transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. The fruit must be rooted in the heart. We see the fruit as a reflection of “character” or “works of the Spirit.”

Few if any churches approach discipleship as Christian character development. It is time that we not only develop discipleship ministries that saturate all the activities of the church with disciple-making but also develop comprehensive biblically founded Christian character development processes. I recently posted an article intended for an athletic character development process that may be adapted for church use: A 10-Point Character Development Process. If we fail to do this, the barrage of closing churches will continue. However, if we succeed, there may be a new great awakening in these end times.

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Questions:

1. What do you think of the concept of discipleship as Christian character development?
2.  As a church leader, how would you launch a Christian character development process?
3. What elements would be included in a discipleship process or Christian character development process?

——————–

Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC. He is a pastor, author, professional coach, leadership specialist, and is a certified Coach/Teacher/Speaker for the John Maxwell Team

Email | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web | Blog | Book | Coaching | Leadership

HOW TO GET RID OF YOUR GREMLINS: Blamer

NAME THEM AND CLAIM THEM TO GET RID OF THEM

One way you can get out of your way is to name your gremlin. A gremlin in this sense is a self-defeating behavior that reappears in life, work, and relationships that prevents you from achieving a new level of success. Like in the movie by the same name, gremlins usually are latent and easy to live with until they are activated by external or internal factors, either past, present, or perceived future. Naming them can help you to be aware of your self-defeating behavior so you may make intentional decisions that are edifying and rewarding to all involved. The introductory article to this series is Get Out of Your Own Way.

 

BLAMING is a passive-aggressive form of bullying others.

 

It is likely that you have known someone who has the gremlin named “Blamer,” that is, they seem to always blame somebody or something for their failure. They rarely accept responsibility for anything and even when they do, their statement usually includes some measure of blaming. If Blamer is your gremlin, you need to know two things: 1) you are sabotaging your success and relationships, and 2) your future opportunities will gradually diminish. If this is what you want out of life then keep Blamer as your pet and feed him well with criticism of others at every opportunity. On the other hand, if you desire to improve your relationships and increase future opportunities, always be aware of your latent blaming potential and critical spirit. Then,…stop,…accept responsibility,…and do your best with no excuses (another gremlin). You will enjoy improved relationships and more opportunities. However, you may need to get to the heart of the matter.

GREMLINS LOVE UNRESOLVED ISSUES!

Blaming is often disguised as unhealthy guilt that has never been resolved. Remember that when you point to others there are three fingers pointing back to you—four if your thumb is double-jointed. Ask yourself several questions:

1. Has there been a cataclysmic event in my life that provides me with an unending well of anger and resentment?
2. Have others ever told you that you are always critical or blaming?
3. Do you see accepting responsibility and admitting your failings a weakness?
4. Do you repeatedly share blame stories with family and friends? You may find that it’s like a fish story in which the fault blamed on others get bigger with each telling.

I like what Rick Warren teaches in his well known book The Purpose-Driven Life: “Don’t get bitter but choose to get better.”  Forgiveness of others and self is the remedy.

SD Blessings,

Dr. Tom Cocklereece, The Disciplist

This article is a revision of a previous post on my coaching blog site RENOVA Coaching

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Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC. He is a pastor, author, professional coach, leadership specialist, and is a member Coach/Teacher/Speaker for the John Maxwell Team

Email | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web | Blog | Book | Coaching

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

Evaluate how you and your church are doing in the 13 methods of discipleship: Copy of 13 Ways to Make Disciples_Evaluation

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?

 

Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC
He is a pastor, author, professional coach, leadership specialist, and is a member Coach/Teacher/Speaker for the John Maxwell Team

Email | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web | Blog | Book | Coaching

DISCIPLESHIP BEST PRACTICES: #9- 10 BENEFITS OF PEER GROUP DISCIPLESHIP

Simple Discipleship small groups

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

Evaluate how you and your church are doing in the 13 methods of discipleship: Copy of 13 Ways to Make Disciples_Evaluation

WHAT IS PEER GROUP DISCIPLESHIP?

The previous article in this series was about “Personal Discipleship,” also known as one-to-one discipleship. The present article is about “Peer Group Discipleship,” also known as small group discipleship and it is one of the most effective methods when done well. Encarta Dictionary defines “peer” as someone who is equal to another in age or social class. Churches have done well at making disciples using peer groups called Sunday school classes or small groups. They tend to be natural groupings based on a number of demographic, social, and spiritual commonalities. The things they have in common functions as the “glue” for an ongoing community relationship. The positive effect of psychosocial development and interaction in peer groups has been well documented in recent years. However, the benefits of spiritual growth compound the overall growth and development of the group as a supportive community.

Peer group discipleship engages the class in interaction, reflection, evaluation, and an assessment of values. People today inside and outside the church experience an ever increasing level of dysfunction. Discipleship peer groups lead people deeper in their relationships with Christ and with one another. The effectively learn to love one another and as a result they become a faith community within the church. A healthy church of any size should have healthy or holistic small groups.

PEER GROUP DISCIPLESHIP IS INTENTIONAL

Simply forming Sunday school classes and small group Bible study units does not automatically qualify as peer group discipleship. There are many examples of teachers of Sunday school classes and small groups who show up to impress their groups with their insights into Scripture but have no clue about how to make disciple-making disciples. Many think their job is to teach the Bible but their job should be—make disciples. A group leader with the perspective of making disciples connects with people and creates community. A disciple-making peer group leader is infective! It is sad to say that many classes and groups will meet this week and the group could just as well push a button on a CD/MP3 player for their weekly lesson. Jesus taught with passion, examples, Biblical authority, and love. Effective peer group discipleship does what Jesus did.

10 BENEFITS OF PEER GROUP DISCIPLESHIP

Peer group discipleship has many benefits and here are ten:

1. Members of peer group classes disciple one another as they share Bible knowledge, insights, and application points.
2. An excellent facilitator guides the Bible study and discussion in a manner that engages the entire group.
3. Provides a visual and living illustration of three-way reconciliation (forgiveness from God, forgiveness of self, and forgiveness of others).
4. Demonstrates Christian unity (all for one and one for all).
5. Encourages perpetual spiritual growth as less spiritually mature interact with those more spiritually mature.
6. Provides social relationships in the church context as well as outside the church in the community.
7. Provides social stability for those within the group as they interact to meet needs and love one another.
8. Teaches the roles of each as related to the identification and use of spiritual gifts and natural talents.
9. The group culture encourages chosen accountability as related to Christian behavior.
10. Groups collectively form a healthy church and provide for the overall needs for ministry.

Can you think of more benefits of peer group discipleship? Please share them in the comments section.

SD Blessings,

Dr. Tom Cocklereece, The Disciplist

QUESTIONS:

1.      Ten benefits of peer group discipleship are listed. Can you share some more?

2.      Could your small group leader easily be replaced by a CD/MP3 player and hardly miss the leader?

3.      Is disciple-making the focus of your Sunday school and small group Bible study units?

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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: 3 STORIES FROM THE CHURCHES

SIMPLE DISCIPLESHIP: 3 STORIES FROM THE CHURCHES

This article first posted on Simple Discipleship

FREE PDF DOWNLOAD OF A SAMPLE DISCIPLESHIP PLAN FROM SIMPLE DISCIPLESHIP.

Click Here—> “DISCIPLESHIP PLAN“

Simple Discipleship was published in 2009 and The Disciple-Maker’s Toolkit in July, 2011, so this simple church discipleship process has been “out there” long enough for church leaders to begin sharing their experiences. It is one thing that the Simple Discipleship book has received very good reviews but church leaders want more than a book, they want something that works. I have received several reports from pastors in the field about how the Spiritual Vitality Assessment is a great tool for creating a disciple-making culture. The Spiritual Vitality Assessment was introduced in the Simple Discipleship book as the SD-360 Survey but remains unchanged despite the change of nomenclature in the new book, The Disciple-Maker’s Toolkit. It consists of 40 statements based on biblical values and expectations discussed in both books. The 40 statements or questions are divided into four sections in which participants may sore a total of 400 cumulatively out of a possible 100 in each section. Here are three stories of how the assessment is working in the churches.

The Spiritual Vitality Assessment is included in both books, Simple Discipleship and The Disciple-Maker’s Toolkit. The former is configured for church-wide use and the latter is configured for individual use in a spiritual formation workbook.

THE SPIRITUAL VITALITY ASSESSMENT RESULTS IN BAPTISMS

One of the first churches that began using Simple Discipleship decided to change question #2 in the WORSHIP section of the assessment. Question #2 says, “ I know that when I die I will go to heaven” with the ability of the participant to respond with an answer from 0 to 10. The church leaders left the question as is but changed the response section so that the participant could only respond with either a 0 or 10. A “0” response meant “I don’t know” and a “10” response meant “I am sure.” The church leadership gave the Spiritual Vitality Assessment in Sunday school classes. Three people from different classes went to talk privately with their respective teachers or with a trusted friend. In each of the three cases the individuals said that the assessment led them to think specifically about their salvation. They were convicted by question #2 and subsequently received Jesus and Lord and were baptized. The questions cause participants to think personally about their own standing in relation to their beliefs.

Green= Community Missional Footprint

THE SPIRITUAL VITALITY ASSESSMENT SHOCKS A CHURCH TO ACTION

From the introduction of Simple Discipleship, I have encouraged churches to give the Spiritual Vitality Assessment only when the pastor is serving and supportive of the process. However, an interim pastor contacted me a couple of years ago and asked me to give the assessment in the church where he was serving. The church was clearly struggling and had been in serious decline for several years. The assessment was given and I prepared a report of the compiled assessments. The pie graph of the results was shocking as the green MISSIONS section was very small. This is an indication of a dying church that has virtually no community connection. The green section for the church is called the “Community Missional Footprint” and is an indicator of missional involvement. The pie graph illustration shown here brought audible gasps from the congregation but then resulted in a significant level of missional projects in the community. The church has since made progress and has the potential of resurgence.

THE SPIRITUAL VITALITY ASSESSMENT MOTIVATES A LEADER TO SERVE

Recently I had been doing Discipleship Coach Training for a church planting pastor and his staff. The pastor had struggled with starting small group Bible studies as they lacked willing and qualified teachers. A potential leader joined the new church and had volunteered to start a new small group. Unfortunately, he backed out with little or no explanation. Concurrently, the pastor had given the Spiritual Vitality Assessment to the church congregation and a surprising thing happened. The person who had back out of leading small groups contacted the pastor and let him know that he was disturbed by the Spiritual Vitality Assessment results and felt convicted by the Lord to step up to his earlier commitment of leadership. The pastor was very pleased and contacted me to once again share his testimony of how Simple Discipleship was helping establish a disciple-making culture in the church.

More stories will follow as church leaders are sharing with us. The proverbial proof will be in the pudding as leaders and churches become effective at making disciple-makers.

Purchase discipleship materials and books that include the Spiritual Vitality Assessment at Simple Discipleship

SD Blessings,

Dr. Tom Cocklereece, The Disciplist

QUESTIONS:

1.      What process does your church use to make disciples?

2.      How may the Spiritual Vitality Assessment could help your church become a disciple-making church?

3.      What is the Community Missional Footprint of your church?

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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: 8 – PERSONAL DISCIPLESHIP

Personal 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

Evaluate how you and your church are doing in the 13 methods of discipleship: Copy of 13 Ways to Make Disciples_Evaluation

AN ABSURD ANALOGY…

John and Sandy went to the doctor’s office together with great apprehension. Several weeks prior, Sandy had completed a routine mammogram exam. Within ten days Sandy received a call to repeat the exam and have some other tests. It raised her concerns as she scheduled the follow-up exam and tests. Within a few days Sandy received a call to have a meeting with a cancer physician. So Sandy decided the report must be bad so she asked her husband to go with her for emotional support. Dr. Patelli walked in and greeted the couple. He was very slim and dressed in a professional manner. While he seemed to project a friendly attitude, his concern and seriousness was evident. The doctor began to go through the report in a matter of fact manner. To boil it down, Sandy had breast cancer that had already spread to her lungs according to the various supporting exams. While this was shocking to Sandy, Dr. Patelli began to reassure her of the treatment and prognosis. He suggested that a treatment regimen using a combination of several varieties of interferon would be effective in her case. He felt that there was a better than 90% chance of curing her cancer. John and Sandy began to ask questions about the treatment and other possibilities.

John asked, “Interferon treatments have been around for some time. Aren’t there newer treatments that should be used?”

Dr. Patelli said, “While there are some negative side effects of interferon and it is an older treatment, I think it is the best to use in Sandy’s case. Again, the cure rate is about 90% using the interferon for this type of cancer.”

“I think I agree with John, Dr. Patelli,” Sandy replied. “I have a friend, Betty who said her mother had a bad reaction to interferon when she had cancer. I want a newer treatment.”

Puzzled, the doctor said, “Well, there are some new chemotherapy regimens that alternate the chemicals to increase effectiveness and are engineered to be gentler than most chemotherapy treatments. However, the survival rate is not as good as the interferon treatment…say 40%.”

Sandy replied, “Let’s go with the chemo treatment.”

“Huh?” Dr. Patelli was dumbfounded and could not believe Sandy’s choice.

Simple Discipleship Conference

PERSONAL DISCIPLESHIP: MOST EFFECTIVE BUT UNDERUSED

My book, Simple Discipleship: How to Make Disciples in the 21^st Century was published in late 2009 by Church Smart Resources. During 2010, I had the opportunity to do a sort of “book tour” leading conferences to introduce the book. In the course of the year, leaders from over one hundred churches attended my conferences. I began each conference with a question: “How many churches represented here intentionally do one to one discipleship?” I further explained that “personal discipleship is when new Christians are intentionally paired with a discipler in order to 1) connect the new believer to the church, and 2) to get the new Christian off to a good start learning how to nourish his or her spiritual growth. Out of over 100 churches represented in these meetings, not even one church clearly identified personal discipleship as an intentional disciple-making method that they used. Certainly Jesus used personal discipleship as one of his methods.

Like Dr. Patel in the fictional absurd analogy at the beginning of this article, I was dumbfounded!

Some leaders tried to reason that their church had an assimilation class for new members and Christians but I don’t buy a diversity group assimilation method as discipleship. The goals of assimilation of members and discipleship differ. Assimilation programs are designed primarily with the needs of the organization in mind while discipleship is designed with the needs of the disciplee in mind.

Out of over 100 churches, not even one clearly identified personal discipleship as an intentional disciple-making method they used.

PERSONAL DISCIPLESHIP EFFECTIVENESS

I continue to wonder at why so few churches intentionally employ personal discipleship as a method of disciple-making. In the 20^th century we saw class sizes in schools and colleges increase while grades and the quality of education dropped. Since the 1990s there has been an increasing use of home school and one to one tutoring organizations with a concurrent rise in the grades and quality of education for the students affected. On the other hand, grades and education quality continues to fall in schools that have large classes.

I plan to write an article soon with some statistical support for these claims. In a cursory reading of articles on the subject I found that struggling students with just three months of one to one tutoring can jump one whole grade. Clearly personal discipleship is one of the most effective methods of disciple-making. What if churches began intentionally designing one to one discipleship into their disciple-making processes? I believe it would begin a genuine discipleship revolution.

Through my ministry, Simple Discipleship, I recommend designing as many of the thirteen discipleship methods listed above into your church’s disciple-making process and insure that personal discipleship is a priority. Here are several recommendations:

• Simple Discipleship recommends training 4 Discipleship Coaches to insure that the disciple-making process is ongoing.
• The 4 Discipleship Coaches should be a mix of men and women so they may do personal discipleship of others of the same gender.
• Establish strong policies of selection, background checks, and training for Discipleship Coaches.
• Equip Discipleship Coaches with not only the best training but also provide great materials such as The Disciple-Maker’s Toolkit, MasterLife, The Survival Kit, or other proven material.
• Large churches should establish Christian coaching ministries that include at least one coach trainer who will train as many Sunday school teachers as possible to be Discipleship Coaches.
• Christian Coaching Ministries should be separate from education and counseling ministries though they would certainly work together. They should not compete or threaten one another but the goals of each must be firmly established.

In the “Absurd Analogy” at the beginning of the article, which treatment would you choose? If personal discipleship is the equivalent of interferon in the analogy, why would you not employ it in your church? Do it now! Simple Discipleship can assist you with consultation and training of your Christian coaching staff and Discipleship Coaches.

SD Blessings,

Dr. Tom Cocklereece, The Disciplist

QUESTIONS:

1. Examine your church’s disciple-making ministry. Does your church intentionally design personal discipleship into the ministry?
2. Why do many churches not use intentional personal discipleship?
3. Identify Bible references where personal discipleship is used.
4. What steps will your church have to take to develop personal discipleship into the ministry?
5. What will you do to move to a high-expectation disciple-making delivery process in your church?

——————–
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

THE DISCIPLE-MAKER’S OATH

What is the intent of The Great Commission given by Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:18-20? Many Christians in the 21^st century fail to see themselves as disciples of Christ and some may not comprehend the meaning of being “followers of Christ.” It is obvious to most Christian leaders whether they serve in volunteer or vocational ministry that Jesus intended for all Christians to be disciples and more than that, he intended for all Christians to be disciple-making disciple-makers. His desire is that immediately upon receiving Christ and being filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit, every Christian is to make disciples.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO MAKE DISCIPLES?

For many Christian leaders The Great Commission is a two-step process—baptism (conversion/evangelism) and teaching all that Jesus Christ commanded (discipleship). In a sense, Jesus never intended for making disciples to be a two-stage process. Even so, it is tragic that so many Christians, leaders, and churches appear to focus on just one side of the making disciples equation—evangelism. Making disciples means that we baptize, then disciple new Christians at least to the point where they may spiritually feed themselves. To that end the ministry of Simple Discipleship seeks your partnership to launch a discipleship revolution, a Great Commission Resurgence, a Great Commission Initiative, and a new Great Awakening.

THE GREAT RE-COMMISSION

Copyright: qingwa / 123RF Stock Photo

The Great Re-Commission is a two prong process. It begins with forming a ‘Discipleship Special Ops Team” to change the status quo of the congregation and then leading people to “step-up” by renewing their commitment .

1)      Granted that Jesus’ Great Commission is perfect, but we have misunderstood it, disobeyed it, or refused to apply it. The Great Re-Commission is an effort to awaken the masses of Christians who are not engaged in the effort of winning the world to Christ. The Simple Discipleship ministry recommends that every church create a Discipleship Special Ops Team. This team of four discipleship coaches will launch a one-year focus on discipling every person in the congregation and seeking to change the culture of the church. The problem is that many Christians fail to see that when they received Christ and were baptized, they simultaneously took an oath and were commissioned as disciple-makers…evangelists and disciplists. “The Disciple-Maker’s Oath” is printed in “The Disciple-Maker’s Toolkit.”

2)      Consider planning a Great Re-Commissioning service to create urgency and spiritual movement. Leaders might consider using The Disciple-Maker’s Oath as a part of the service. I patterned “The Disciple-Maker’s Oath” from The Great Commission of the Lord Jesus Christ as part of a series of messages titled “Discipleship Special Ops.” Use these ideas as the Lord leads you but please share results and testimonies with me.

 

The Disciple-Maker’s Oath

I _______________________, a disciple of Jesus Christ do solemnly swear

On the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ,

As I am going I will make disciples of all people I meet,

Regardless of race, national origin, or social standing,

I will encourage them to be baptized,

in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

I will teach them to observe all the teachings of the Lord,

And I will rely upon his presence, strength, and power,

until the end of my earthly life. Amen.

by Dr. Tom Cocklereece

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QUESTIONS:

1. How would you word your own Disciple-Maker’s Oath?
2. Do you agree that church leaders and churches need to focus on both evangelism and discipleship?
3. How might the two prong plan suggested in this article change the culture of your church?

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Dr. Tom Cocklereece is the author of Simple Discipleship: How to Make Disciples in the 21^st Century which was published and released by Church Smart Resources in November 2009. It is not a self-published book. To learn more about Simple Discipleship and to order the book, follow the link below:

http://www.simplediscipleship.com

——————–

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