The art of disciple making is not only about creating devout followers but also about crafting the very leaders upon which churches thrive. This tradition, deeply rooted in scripture, is a fundamental aspect of church leadership and growth.
Disciple making is identified as the foundational fabric of church leadership. The journey through disciple making is one of transformation, turning church members into leaders and leaders into replicators of faith.
The Four Invitations of Jesus
The strategic pattern set by Christ describes the four phased invitations that Jesus extended to His followers. This blueprint begins with a call to curiosity (“come and see”) and progresses through stages of commitment (“follow me”), deep companionship (“be with me”), and culminates with a commission to expand influence (“come after me and multiply”). Each step represents a meticulously crafted phase of disciple-making.
However, before embarking on the disciple-making mission, it’s important that each believer undergo pre-mission training. This concept shares similarities with spiritual readiness and military preparedness. Just as soldiers undergo rigorous drills before deployment, believers too must be grounded in fundamentals such as prayer, evangelism, and the scope of discipleship before assuming leadership roles or serving on missions.
Engaging with Non-believers and New Believers
A core function of the church is not only to attract but also to profoundly engage newcomers to the faith. One of the common challenges churches face is assisting new believers in transitioning from initial faith expression to active, community-centric engagement. This challenge stems from significant growth within the church, requiring members to move past the threshold of basic belief.
Understanding this pathway and committing to it can foster a more vibrant and mission-centric church culture. Remember, the pathway to leadership is not through a transient experience but through a deliberate process similar to the one Jesus exemplified with His disciples. Embrace this compelling call to action and enrich your understanding of what it means to be a follower and a leader in the dynamic world of church ministry.
If you want to deepen your understanding of Jesus’ model for disciple-making and explore how it can transform your church’s approach to cultivating committed, competent followers of Christ, then tune into The Disciple-Making Leader Podcast. Listen to the podcast to learn more about developing effective disciple-making strategies that can lead to significant church growth.
