If we’re making disciples like Jesus did, then there’s a different paradigm at work. It all starts with you, the leader as you gather disciples around you. Preferably, these are new believers who don’t have years of “baggage” to overcome. Work to get the DNA right in whatever believers the Lord provides in your network (oikos).
A pastor I worked with in St. Louis had to start a Pastor’s Class because his church’s teachers insisted on never making any changes. After two years, the church had experienced 35 baptisms and an additional 15 formerly unchurched believers.
A great majority of CABA’s pastors lead churches that are largely plateaued or declining. Here are the elements I have experienced where Jesus excelled at disciple-making:
1. Develop relationships in order to influence leaders in your church. Curtis Sergeant, a missionary trainer, once asked, “Are you a disciple that Jesus would want to replicate?” Make teaching points on the fly. It’s not a time to lay back, but lead them to grow.
2. Lead your church to discover biblical Truths. Trust John 16:13 to be active in which Jesus said that the Holy Spirit guides in all Truth. This is best done by asking open-ended questions. Inductive questions are the powerhouse behind Bible Storying.
3. Coach your leaders as they overcome problems. Yes, life is messy. Be an agent of grace and loving kindness. Accountability isn’t meant to be harsh or nagging, but reminders of what the person has already committed to do. Stick with them!
4. Support those you’re investing in by helping them be good stewards of their time, talents, and money. Be there with an encouraging word. Reinforce positive behaviors and forgive dumb stuff.
5. Empower others to be disciple-makers. Give them the authority to eventually lead on their own.
If you challenge your leaders, expect healthy push-back. Pastors – and small group leaders – must “lead from the front” as the military likes to say. Jesus had His inner group of three, then the Twelve, then at least 70 followers. He got them personally involved to the point they could function effectively as disciple-makers.
--Mark Snowden serves as director for the Cincinnati Area Baptist Association
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