In order to mobilize a movement, we need to keep learning and growing as leaders and we need to equip our people to be disciples who make disciples.
“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[to] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”
Matthew 28:18-20
We are leading the shift from attendance to transformation, from church as a spectator sport to a life on mission, from “going to church” to being the church.
The 5 Skills & 5 Habits:
- Can you articulate your story in 20-30 seconds, clearly and honestly expressing one problem you had, how you committed to Jesus as King (Rom. 10:9) and how Jesus has changed your life?
- Can you briefly but clearly express the gospel, God’s story – how people can be forgiven, set free from sin and begin to experience new life in Christ?
- Do you have a list of people close to you you are regularly praying for and reaching out to with the love and truth of Jesus?
- Do you read the Bible just to understand or to obey (Matt. 7:24-27)? S.O.A.P.S. is a simple method with any (S)cripture – make (O)bservations, (A)pply it to your life, (P) pray for wisdom and power and (S)hare what you’re learning with someone else.
- 3/3rds is a meeting structure that promotes loving accountability and prayerful planning of obedience. First you look back to share how you did obey what the Lord called you to do last week. Then you look up to hear from the Lord through His Word. Finally, you look ahead to practice and plan how you will obey the next week.
- The Habits – Acts 2:42-47 describes the practices of the early church as they were devoted to Scripture, prayer, worship, fellowship and generous giving. Are you regularly practicing these spiritual disciplines and training others to abide in Jesus (John 15)?
What If… P.L.E.A.S.E. Training – Mike Kahn of the TBBA presents practical training on how to (P) Pray, (L) Love, (E) Enjoy, (A) Assist, (S) Share and (Engage) with the people around you.
All for One – Mike Kahn shares a comprehensive training approach to help believers develop a Christ-centered identity that naturally brings the gospel into everyday conversations. Caring > Connecting > Conversing > Continuing.
1 Body Church – Oct. 13 (Thurs) – Oct. 15 (Sun) – every six weeks this network of house churches offers an immersion training experience. Contact Lee Wood for info! Check their online calendar for all upcoming events.
Tampa Underground – tons of online resources and opportunities to attend training events, join a microchurch cohort and more! Contact Lucas Pulley for more.
Recommended Resources:
The Timothy Initiative – DMM principles applied to the U.S. with user friendly resources for Discovery Bible Studies and Training Centers to quickly mobilize and multiply disciplemakers. Contact David Oates to join a local cohort.
Zume – DMM resources, now in 40 languages, deliverable in easy to understand and share video clips, and with a free downloadable handbook.
More Disciples – An introduction to DMM principles from Lee Wood of 1 Body Church, Doug Lucas of Team Expansion, John Heerema of Big Life and Rodger Shull of e3 Partners.
Microchurches – The Tampa Underground Podcast hosted by co-director Tomy Wilkerson. For everyday missionaries who dare to be small.
Disciples Made – three Intentional Disciplemaking Environments from the Kansas City Underground – Followers Made, Leaders Made, Missionaries Made. Start with Episode One of their excellent Podcast.
Books to Check Out!
The Underground Church, Brian Sanders. The story of the Tampa Underground
In the Way, Damian Gerke. How “church as we know it” can be a disciplemaking movement again.
Saturate – Jeff Vanderstelt
The Starfish and the Spirit, Ford & Wegner. How to decentralize the church structure and mobilize a movement of disciplemaking.
Find your Place, Wegner & Phipps. Helping people identify their personal calling (Eph. 2:10) at the convergence of their Gifts, Passion and Story. See the free assessment here.
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