Disciple Development 2.0 – Five Shifts of Invigorated Congregations
As we live into the Postmodern context here in North
America, church-as-we-have-known-it is transforming into
church-as-it-is-becoming. Well, this is true for those congregations who will
make the shift, moving through the transition, becoming vibrant faith
communities in 2018 and beyond. The following five shifts will contribute to
their positive movement.
First,
invigorated disciple developing congregations are crystal clear about their
purpose.
With so many moving pieces in play and so many
changes in our contexts, we can lose our way, if only ever so slightly. The
congregations who move through the Postmodern transition, finding new life on
the other side, are those who are crystal clear about their purpose. They know
the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:34-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew
28:19-20). These churches recognize that making disciples of ourselves and
others is the unique calling of God’s Church. No other organization is tasked
so specifically to partner with God toward this end. So they create mission
statements to that affect. They use wording like the United Methodist
Denomination, “Making Disciples For The Transformation Of The World.” These
congregations are determined to partner with God toward shaping human beings
into disciples of Jesus Christ.
Second, invigorated
disciple developing congregations prioritize disciple development.
How’s your Sunday School doing? As we visit
churches of many denominations, it appears clear that the heyday of Sunday
School is in the rearview mirror. There are some robust Sunday School classes,
yet they are fewer and farther between all the time. Fortunately, disciple
development can happen in many ways, with Sunday School as last century’s best
effort. So, churches in the near future are prioritizing disciple development
when it comes to how they use their time and resources. Perhaps we could get
away with tangential Christian Formation or doing Sunday School only for
children when many people wanted to be in churches. In the Postmodern world we
need disciples caught up in the Way of Jesus.
Third,
invigorated disciple developing congregations increase their capacity for developing
disciples. As we observe congregations, it’s easy to see what they really
value. How their pastor uses time and/or how their staff team is structured
clearly communicates priorites. Many pastors and staff people are heavily
involved in worship planning, administration, and pastoral care. In fact, many
congregations enjoy extensive systems for caring when disciples in the
congregation are hurting. While we celebrate this dynamic, it’s also clear that
few pastors or staff people have the capacity to invest in disciple developing.
Most congregations are not structured for developing Christ-followers in
proactive intentional ways.
Fourth,
invigorated disciple developing congregations update their language to reflect
their purpose and priorities. We used to call it Christian Education. When
we ran into the limitations of that phrase, we shifted to Christian Formation.
Now we need language with more strength in it, more power. Disciple Development
is what we are pursuing.
Fifth, invigorated
disciple developing congregations task leaders with cultivating disciples.
Who in your congregation leads your disciple
development movement? Who is tasked with guiding and coordinating your disciple
development work? Who regularly, consistently, and intentionally invests in
disciples, encouraging them to take the next step in their faith journey? Who
on your staff has capacity for this? Who sees this as their role and calling? What’s
the role of lay leaders in disciple development? You may want to see Disciple Development Coaching, a book
Ircel Harrison and myself authored in 2013, which describes how to create a
cadre of disciple developers on your congregation. Invigorated and robust
churches who will exist beyond the Postmodern transition are actively
cultivating themselves and others in the beautiful Way of Jesus.
Invigorated and energized disciples will find rich
opportunities for faith-living in the Postmodern world. May we get caught up in
the Way of Jesus, prioritizing and structuring for participation.
Mark Tidsworth, President, PLA