KBREA Focus: Transformational Discipleship

By Darryl Wilson | Published: October 28, 2013

PhilipNation

All ministers of education, associate pastors, children’s ministers, youth ministers, professors, denominational leaders, and others who serve in church discipleship/education ministry are invited.

DATE/PLACE:

2013 Annual KBREA Meeting
November 11, 2013
FBC Paducah
2890 Broadway Street
Paducah, KY 42001

SCHEDULE:

5:30-6:00p     Registration
6:00-6:45p     Dinner
6:45-8:30p     Program
8:30-9:00p     Business

Guest Speaker
Philip Nation

Philip serves as the Director of Adult Ministry Publishing at LifeWay Christian Resources and frequently speaks at churches and conferences. He earned a Master of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School and a Doctor of Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 2010-2012, he served as the national spokesperson for theBack to Church Sunday campaign from Outreach.

Over the years, Philip has served as a pastor, minister of education, and a church planter. Currently, he is the teaching pastor at The Fellowship, a multi-site church in Nashville.

Philip has coauthored two books: Compelled: Living the Mission of God andTransformational Discipleship: How People Really Grow. He is also the general editor of The Mission of God Study Bible. Along the way, he has also written the small-group studies Compelled by Love: The Journey to Missional Living and Live in the Word, plus contributed to The Great Commission Resurgence: Fulfilling God’s Mandate in Our Lifetime.

Philip lives in Tennessee with his wife, Angie, and two sons, Andrew and Chris.

Program Focus
Transformational Discipleship

Transformational Discipleship is built from the largest research projects done on the state of discipleship in North America. During his session, Philip Nation will share the insights and framework that can be put to use in your church to build a stronger culture and process for discipleship.

The cost for this year’s annual meeting is $50 for non-KBREA members and $40 for KBREA members. Those who join or renew their KBREA membership at the annual meeting will receive the member rate.

KBREA annual membership is $25.

To sign up for the KBREA annual meeting, please email Jeff Smith at jsmith@hurstbournebc.org and let him know you plan to attend!

KBREA Officers

Mark Quigley - Acting President
Jeff Smith - President-Elect & Acting Treasurer

Posted in Discipleship, Events | Leave a comment

Which Is the Focus of Your Discipling: Coming or Going?

By Darryl Wilson | Published: October 24, 2013

JesusSaidGOIn the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), Jesus did not command us to make disciples of only those who show up at church. Instead, He said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…”

The phrase “go” in the original language means “as you are going.” Thus, Jesus commanded us to make disciples of all nations as we were going. Wherever we are, we are to be making disciples. As we are going through life, we are to make disciples. When we are at work, school, home, or in the marketplace, we are to make disciples.

Watch this two-minute video for a reminder:

This Is Discipling

What could happen if THE church took seriously the command to make disciples as they are going? What could happen if YOUR church took this seriously? What could happen if YOU took this seriously? Make disciples!

For more ideas about making disciples, check out these blog posts:

Posted in Discipleship, Spiritual Growth | 1 Response

Discipleship Outcome Questions

By Darryl Wilson | Published: October 18, 2013

3QuestionsI recognize that being a disciple of Jesus Christ is first and foremost a relationship. It is a restored relationship with the Father through the Son who paid the price for our sin and gave us purpose and a mission. It is living like and looking like Jesus. It is empowerment through the Holy Spirit who dwells within and spills out as we live out the Christ-life.

But still, I find myself asking questions about natural outcomes of a life devoted and committed to Jesus. Consider (and answer) these questions:

  • How would a disciple be different than those without a relationship with Jesus?
  • How would a disciple spend his/her time, money, and life?
  • What activities would result at home, work, play, and in the marketplace?
  • How would gathering with a body of believers (disciples) impact the disciple?
  • What points of focus for Jesus would become points of focus for His disciples?
  • How would those around us view us as a result of being His disciples?

I can think of a hundred more questions, but these start the thinking and conversation. Feel free to respond to any of these questions by pressing Leave a comment at the bottom of this post.

Four overarching responses have come to my mind. Look them over and respond to them. What is missing? Consider the following:

  1. Relating. Disciples will intentionally develop deeper relationships with Jesus (through prayer, Bible study, and obedience); with the lost (who Jesus came to seek and save and those He sent us to make disciples); and with the body of Christ (our love for each other is evidence of our relationship with Him).
  2. Serving. Disciples will use spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ and will serve Him in the church, community, and world out of our passion, experiences, gifts, abilities, etc. Relationship with Christ and as a result of an encounter with Him in His Word will result in obedience and serving while living out that truth in relationships in the world.
  3. Sharing. Disciples have received a cure for the disease of sin which without Jesus is incurable. To hide the cure is unthinkable. Relationships demand sharing this good news and what that cure has done in our lives.
  4. Multiplying. A natural sign of life is multiplication. Trees multiply. Cells multiply. Disciples multiply. This happens as a disciple relates, serves, and shares. The disciple cares for others and is a disciple-maker. They seek the lost, love them to Jesus, and seek to help them to fall in love with Jesus and live like Him.

In which of these four aspects is your discipleship strongest? What happens if one of these areas is neglected? What happens to the disciple, to the church, and to the world? In which of these four discipleship aspects do you need to invest additional effort in the next month? Relate. Serve. Share. Multiply. Make disciples!

For more ideas about discipleship, check out these blog posts:

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Think with Me about Discipleship Phase Actions

By Darryl Wilson | Published: October 11, 2013

Discipleship Process SCMDWhat actions would benefit a disciple at each of these discipleship (spiritual maturity) phases: baby, child, teen, adult? In what actions/activities should the individual be involved and which ones could the church provide that would encourage spiritual progress?

I am still chewing through these thoughts. Naturally some of the actions/activities will be consistent throughout every phase (such as daily quiet time in Bible study and prayer). Some will naturally vary according to the individual’s personalities and needs. Others will naturally vary according to the church body’s gifts and abilities. However, different phases will also benefit from different actions and activities from the individual and church.

With those ideas in mind, I have created a brainstorming discipleship phases strategy template. Be warned, it is still in the formative stage. Consider the following template. Use it to think about your own discipleship or that of an individual or group of individuals (like a small group or Sunday School class).

Discipleship Phases Strategy Template

Print this blog post and jot down a few thoughts in each block. I am not trying to legislate discipleship or make it all about actions. I know it is a relationship with Jesus that leads us to love people actively like He did. But I believe identifying some actions may also serve as indicators of a personal, growing, and obedient relationship.

Virgil Grant of Eastside Community Church in Richmond, Kentucky, provided the picture at the top of the post. It is a flattening (simplification) of a SCMD wheel diagram by Real Life Ministries.

For more ideas about discipleship, check out these blog posts:

Posted in Discipleship, Spiritual Growth | 1 Response

What Is Your Favorite Discipleship Passage?

By Darryl Wilson | Published: October 7, 2013

CallingDisciplesI know it is hard to separate “your favorite Bible verse/passage” and “your favorite discipleship verse/passage,” but take some time to think about it. Then hit “Leave a comment” at the end of the post. Share your passage and why it is your favorite. Encourage others with your comment!

For me, there are many significant passages, including discipleship passages. But the one that has come to have more central focus are the words of Jesus in Matthew 4:19:

Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.

There are three reasons this verse is meaningful for me:

  • FOLLOW ME. As a disciple, I am a follower of Jesus. I follow His life and teaching. I follow His lead. He is my example and the focus of my life. His is the voice I listen to as I navigate life. Where He leads, I go. Because I know I can trust Him, I don’t have to fear the unknown. As a result, the content of my discipleship is Jesus.
  • I WILL MAKE YOU. It is comforting to know that any spiritual progress that takes place in my life is from Him. He is the one who makes a disciple out of me. I cannot do it on my own, in my own strength, or apart from Him. This does not take away my devotion to Him or my effort. After all, you are to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). He will conform us into His likeness. He will lead us to love others with His love. He fills us and He overflows from us.
  • FISHERS OF MEN. He has a purpose for us that is beyond us. It is not just about me. It is first about Him, and second it is about having His mind and His purpose. He came to “seek and to save that which was lost.” That is to be our purpose. We are to live like Jesus and teach others to do the same. We are to draw them to Him, show them how to live like Him, and to send them out to invest in others (2 Timothy 2:2). We are not to make converts and then to forget about them. We are to disciple them, to teach them to fish. In other words, we are not only to teach them to fish for themselves but to teach others to fish (for men).

Share your verse and reference along with why it is your favorite. Encourage others along the discipleship journey. Make disciples!

For more ideas about disciple-making, check out these blog posts:

Posted in Discipleship, Personal Journey | 2 Responses

Three Reasons Why Discipleship Is Important

By Darryl Wilson | Published: October 2, 2013

MentorOthersDisciples are not super-Christians. They are followers of Jesus Christ. At the same time, disciples are more than converts. They have moved beyond profession of faith into a lifelong pursuit of living life like Jesus.

Some have come to view discipleship as a extra activity for the those who have time and interest. Instead, I counter that is is a natural and intentional response to living daily with Jesus.

Why is discipleship important? Consider these three reasons:

  • Jesus commanded it. Last words are important. In the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), Jesus commanded us to “make disciples of all nations.” We are to do so as we are going, wherever we are. This is not an activity done only at the church building. This is a daily life exercise. He told us how: baptizing them and teaching them to obey. But of supreme importance is His reminder that “I am with you always.” We cannot carry out the Great Co-mission without Him. In fact, to do so is to attempt mission impossible.
  • Jesus modeled it. Jesus’ own example points to the importance of doing so. His investment in twelve men over the three years of his earthly ministry proves his strategy. Jesus taught the masses and even the disciples as part of the masses (Mark 1:14). Then He prayed before calling the Twelve (Luke 6:12-13). Jesus continued to teach and train the disciples in public and private. Then He sent them out in pairs (Mark 6:7) and called for a report of their efforts (Mark 6:30). He told them they would do even greater things, and He sent them and us out to disciple all nations (Matthew 28:19-20).
  • Disciples grow when we invest in others. When a teacher prepares a lesson, he/she grows more than those in the class. When a disciple ministers to someone in need, not only are needs met but the disciple grows. When a Christian shares his/her testimony, the hearer has an opportunity to respond, but the disciple grows as well. Disciples are more like the Sea of Galilee than the Dead Sea. They are healthy and grow because water flows in and flows out. Disciples grow because they give and invest in others for Jesus (2 Timothy 2:2).

Evaluate your personal priorities. Is discipleship on the list? What can you do this week to begin to live more like Jesus by investing in at least one other person? Pray. Observe. Do life together. Ask them to join you in ministry. Share. Mentor. Grow as a disciple as you make disciples!

For more ideas about mentoring, check out these blog posts:

Posted in Discipleship, Spiritual Growth | 4 Responses

A Discipleship Metaphor

By Darryl Wilson | Published: September 26, 2013

BabyWhat would be the result of parents who celebrated the birth of a child and then went about their own pursuits, neglecting the child?

  • The child would suffer from neglect and die.
  • The parents would be guilty of child neglect and abuse.
  • Observers would be condemning.

In the words of Nathan to King David, “You are the man!” This story is being repeatedly played out in churches today.

  • New Christians (babes in Christ) are suffering from neglect, dropping out, and withering in influence, service, and growth. The majority drop out within six months. A coal removed from the fire soon burns out.
  • The church who neglects this babe in Christ is guilty of judgment for the neglect and abuse. There is triple punishment. (1) The babe is not brought to maturity to make a contribution to the church and Kingdom work. (2) The church does not grow from investing in the babe. We always grow ourselves through discipling others. (3) There are consequences at the final judgment.
  • The world is condemning of the church. Disciples are not being made who are like Jesus. They do not care like Jesus. They are not living lives that point toward Jesus. The world sees how we treat each other and the world, and they are appropriately condemning.

There is hope! But it is not a quick fix. It is not a magic pill. It is investment of life-on-life. It is doing life together with new believers. It is helping converts become disciples who become disciple-makers.

This won’t happen overnight. Oaks don’t grow overnight either. But when we invest in one who in turns invests in another, the law of doubling quickly impacts a class, church, community, and the world!

What can you do to make sure you and the church are not guilty of child neglect and abuse? What steps are needed to ensure new Christians remain connected and growing? Pray. Gather a leadership team. Implement a plan. Make disciples who thrive!

For more ideas about growing disciples, check out these blog posts:

Posted in Discipleship, Spiritual Growth | 4 Responses

DiscipleShift Conference Comes to Kentucky

By Darryl Wilson | Published: June 18, 2013

DiscipleShift

I want to invite every person (pastor, staff, volunteer) who has a passion for and questions about discipleship to set aside October 24-25, 2013, to be a part of the DiscipleShift: 1 conference at , 2010 Catalpa Loop, Richmond, Kentucky.

DiscipleShift: 1 is a unique two-day experience that will both challenge and stretch you. This is not the usual conference or seminar. Practitioners from Eastside and from Real Life Ministries won’t be talking at you for two days. Rather, they will challenge you through interactive relational small group experiences to evaluate and re-think how you do church.

I personally attended this conference in Idaho and experienced a major shift in my discipleship thinking and strategy. The DiscipleShift: 1 strategy will help you focus on being an intentional discipling leader, creating a relational discipling environment, and designing a reproducible process.

In order to prepare for the conference, you are expected to read the book, Church Is a Team Sport by Jim Putman.

Cost is $345 per person. And space is limited due to the interactive nature of the experience. You can register for this great conference on this website:

  • http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5954268377/eventful/r/eventful#

Another great discipleship resource is Real-Life Discipleship Training Manual by Jim Putman, Avery Willis Jr., Brandon Guindon, and Bill Krause.

For more thoughts about discipleship, check out these blog posts:

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10 Final Blog Thoughts

By Mike James | Published: June 26, 2012

It has been a joy to post a few blogs over the last four years about discipleship, assimilation, church growth and a few random thoughts.  Serving Kentucky Baptists has been a privilege and a great learning experience.  I am very grateful for the opportunity.  Here are ten significant thoughts I leave with you in this last blog.

  1. Healthy churches are led by healthy pastors, staff, and leaders.  Take a day off, read God’s Word for you not just to get another sermon or lesson prepared, and don’t get so focused on being busy doing God’s work that you forget why you are doing it…His Glory!
  2. The best assimilation strategy is a good discipleship strategy!  We must help new believers and new church members get connected to our churches thru relationships and serving.  This does not happen by accident.  The key word is “intentional.”
  3. Spend an equal amount of energy getting guests to return after their first visit as you do getting them there for the first time.  Statistics show that the more a person visits a church the higher the rate of salvations and joining by those folks.
  4. Closing the back door will not happen if we do not place people in small groups like…Sunday School, LIFE groups, discipleship groups, where relationships are formed.
  5. A compelling vision moves people to invest their time, talents, treasures, and testimony in the work.  Without a vision from the Lord, churches plateau and cease to be affective for the Kingdom.
  6. The Bible, not our traditions should be the primary source for not only our message but our methods of ministry.  The reason many churches are dying is because they think it is 1975 or 1989 instead of 2012 in their styles, approach, and methodology.
  7. The best pastors, staff, and DOM’s I have worked with across the state have been folks who are teachable.  When we think we know it all is when we don’t know it all.
  8. Verbalize the Gospel.  Each day seek to have some Gospel conversations with people that you meet.  We cannot expect our congregation to do what we as leaders refuse to do.  Have you noticed that people don’t get saved without someone sharing the Gospel!
  9. Don’t be a lone ranger in ministry or life.  God made us to work and live together so network with other people and other churches.  Iron sharpens iron.
  10. Lighten up!  If you know me you know I am the belly button in the body of Christ.  I like to laugh and not take myself too seriously.  As a matter of fact I think God has a sense of humor.  If you don’t believe that look in the mirror. (just kidding)  The Lord is more willing to bless us and lead us and smile upon us than we are to receive His blessings, smile, and guidance therefore trust more, worry less, and follow Christ daily.

Keep the Son in Your Eyes,

Mike James

Posted in Assimilation, Discipleship | 2 Responses

Is the Future Uncertain?

By Mike James | Published: June 13, 2012

Do you have fear when you think about the future or confidence and hope? Many people I talk with today including church leaders look in despair toward the future.

None of us can predict the future. Often someone will have a minute of fame by being on the news or on the internet with a prediction of the end of the world. When their projected date arrives and the world does not end, then they re-calculate or make some excuse.

As followers of Jesus Christ we must trust the Lord for the future and attempt to be faithful today, which is actually the only day we have to serve Christ. We must be careful about predicting future events or trends even in church life because we could be totally off base. Here are a few predictions that did not actualize.

“Everything that can be invented has been invented,” declared Charles H. Duell, the U.S. Commissioner of Patents. That was in 1899.

Horace Rackham was advised by a president of the Michigan Savings Bank not to invest in the Ford Motor Company in 1903. “The horse is here to stay,” he predicted, “but the automobile is only a novelty – a fad.” Fortunately for Rackham, Henry Ford’s attorney, he ignored the banker’s short-sightedness and bought $5,000 worth of stock. He sold it several years later for $12.5 million.

In rejecting an aspiring band in 1962, Decca Records made this fearless prophecy about its future in music. “We don’t like their sound. Groups of guitars are on the way out.” Thus the company passed on signing the Beatles.

“There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in their home,” said the president and founder of Digital Equipment Corporation in 1977.

Life is an adventure. As a Luke 9:23 disciple it is a “daily adventure” of following Christ and seeking to be at the center of His will. As the song says we may not know the future but we know who holds it in His hand. We should have great confidence in the future because we know Who is in control. We also have some great promises to hold onto from God’s Word.

Here are a couple of promises to keep in mind during times of change and uncertainty.

“Nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39). “No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you through it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

The future for our economy, who will be elected president, changes in musical styles, and all the cultural changes are beyond our complete understanding. I am sure there will be new breakthroughs in astronomy, medicine and science but the thing we possess that is absolutely certain are the promises based on God’s Word.

Those promises take the uncertainty and fear out of today and the future helping us move forward with great confidence and faith in God.

As I depart from serving the Kentucky Baptist Convention in a few short weeks and anticipate where the Lord may lead me in the next chapter of ministry, I have a strong inward confidence that the Lord is going to provide. I don’t know where or when or what or how but I do know the Who and that my friend makes all the difference anyone ever needs.

If we are really concerned about the future then we should focus our total attention on the One Person who actually knows something about it…JESUS.

Keep the Son in Your Eyes,

Mike James

 

 

 

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