Judges 6:14 NIV
[14] The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”
To implement an effective disciple-making ministry requires both the support and involvement of the leadership. At first, support and involvement may seem like synonyms. They are not. Support can be offered from a distance. Involvement requires up close and personal.
Mark 3:13-15 NIV
[13] Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. [14] He appointed twelve-designating them apostles-that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach [15] and to have authority to drive out demons.
Key idea: Jesus was “with” his disciples. That’s more than support; that’s involvement. So how did it work out? After Jesus returned to heaven, Acts 4:13 tells us how religious leaders responded to the courage of Peter and John.
Acts 4:13 NIV
[13] When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
The biblical model for discipling men and women is to be with them, not merely support an effort to disciple them.
Reflection Questions:
- What is the difference between support and involvement?
- What is the biblical warrant for involvement?
- If you are the leader of a group, how can you be involved like Jesus was involved?
PUSHING THEM UNTIL THEY DROP OUT
Men and women often drop out without explanation. One reason is that they feel the pressure to perform because we ask too much of them too soon.
Evangelism is simply taking a person as far as they want to go with Jesus. Never push. Take men as far as they want to go instead of as far as they need to go.
Discipleship should be like orthodontic braces – a little pressure consistently applied over a long time will eventually change the location of your teeth. In the same way, Godly pressure will change a person’s beliefs and eternal destination.
Reflection Questions:
- Does your church adjust to where your men and women are, or do you ask them to adjust to where the church is?
While it would take incredible people skills to get an honest answer, consider contacting a man who dropped out without explanation. If he believes he can trust you, he may tell what went wrong. This would be incredible to know.
THE QUESTIONS PEOPLE ARE ASKING
What are the right questions? “There is no greater loss than the answer to a question no one is asking.” The right questions will produce the right answers. What are the questions men are asking? It’s always about finding the right questions to answer.
Reflection Questions:
- What are the men and women’s questions your church is answering?
- How do they stack up against the questions men and women in the world are asking?
- What are voids that are missing in every human being without God?
- How can you bring them into alignment?
THE ATTRITION OF MEN AND WOMEN
Definition of Attrition: “A wearing down or weakening of resistance, especially as a result of continuous pressure or harassment:
“a gradual reduction in work force without firing of personnel, as when workers resign or retire and are not replaced.”
If you are surprised by the high level of attrition or fallaways in your ministry, then dwell on the principle of the parable of the sower
Matthew 13:18-23 NIV
[18] “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: [19] When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. [20] The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. [21] But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. [22] The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. [23] But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
We must expect high levels of people falling away if the Bible is correct.
We must also work to preserve the fruit we harvest. Learn how to capture and sustain the momentum you create.
Reflection Questions:
- What is your church doing to create momentum among the men and women?
- What is your church doing to capture and sustain that momentum?
THE OVERARCHING GOAL OF THE MOVEMENT
The overarching goal of the Christian movement is to restore discipleship as the central mission of the church. It is not enough to make better husbands and wives or daddies and mommies, time managers, and workers. We must be careful not to merely seek to improve a persons behavior. Instead, our calling must bring people to the foot of the cross where they negotiate the terms of a full surrender of their lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. That’s the deal.
Reflection Questions:
- Why are you wanting to be in the ministry?
- What is the goal of your ministry?
- What is the danger?
EVANGELISM OR DISCIPLESHIP?
An experienced Evangelist once said, “I would rather wake a slumbering church than a slumbering world.”
It is a much better investment for the kingdom to help a Christian understand how to walk in the Spirit than help lead a non-Christian to faith.
Of course, it’s not either/or. However, when we think of the amount of money that is sacrificed to make disciples and planting churches, putting people on staff ect, let’s balance that out by spending what it takes to fully equip them to be good members.
Reflection Questions:
- Would you rather evangelize a man or woman or disciple them?
- What does that tell you about you?
- What does that tell you about the other kinds of leaders you need on your team?
INCREMENTAL CHANGE VS. QUANTUM LEAPS
Singer Jewel spent 15 years on the road, often living in her car, to be discovered overnight. Google, arguably the greatest product launch in history, took four years to go online. It is a roll of the dice to plan and wait for quantum leaps because they are so unpredictable. Steady plodding, though, always adds up to something after a while.
Reflection Questions:
- Does your ministry model depend on big hits?
- If so, what has been the effectiveness and sustainability?
- What do your answers suggest about your model?
CROCK POT GROWTH
I believe God created us to grow in spiritual maturity like the way food is cooked in a CROCK POT, not a MICROWAVE. But if we are patient in building a mature base of
Disciples of Christ who are given the time to build their own deep convictions in faith, the church will grow in saved souls and the fruits of the spirit. People will really understand the following verses:
Philippians 2:12 NIV
[12] Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
1 Peter 2:2-3 NIV
[2] Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, [3] now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
When we expect people to grow as fast as we think they should, and then they can’t meet that expectation within our time table, they will become discouraged and exasperated.
Judges 6:14 NIV
[14] The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”
From an Unworthy servant,
Chris Chloupek
Lead Evangelist