Helpful tips on connecting newcomers and new members to the life of the church.
In my doctoral research, I discovered that dropouts tend to have two or fewer “friends they can call on in time of need” in their Sunday School class. Those who had six or more friends tended to be the most frequent attenders. Relationships (plural) matter! In your disciple-making strategy, don’t…
First impressions and care matter in making disciples. If we make negative first impressions (individually or as a church), we may not get a second chance. It is also difficult to disciple people who don’t return or who drop out. What can we do to ensure more positive first impressions?…
Fresh, Practical Training I pray that you have seen lives changed, leaders developed, new people reached, unsaved introduced to Jesus, and new discipling relationships begun through your church this year. As you plan for the start of another year of discipleship, I am sure you recognize the value of training…
People today are busy: leaders and disciples. Commitments can often be shallow and fleeting. On the other hand, disciple-making is best done through the context of consistent relationships and discipline. Knowing those realities, how can we encourage faithfulness in our disciple-making meetings (even our own)? One of the most important…
Whether you have been discipling for years or are just starting, investment in relationships is important. Discipling and care are strengthened when you invest well in getting to know your disciples beyond meeting time. While doing so takes time, it does not have to overwhelm your schedule and it will…
Dr. Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources, wrote an article in the most recent edition of Facts & Trends. The article was entitled 7 Indicators of True Church Discipleship. In the article, Dr. Rainer shared 7 evidences, measures, or indicators of disciple-making taking place in and through the church.…
KBREA will host Steve Parr, coauthor of Why They Stay, on May 26, 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM, at Warren Association of Baptists in Bowling Green. Pastors, staff, parents. and church leaders are invited. Save the date now! Do you want your children to be serving actively in the local…
Over the years as I have studied church statistics, one is glaring. If our churches would slow down the losses (people leaving often due to neglect), they would have more people attending, discipling, serving, and reaching. In most cases, our churches lose more members than they reach each year. Too…
I read an article by Thom Rainer entitled 6 Characteristics of Disciple-Making Churches on Outreach Magazine In the article, Dr. Rainer listed six common expectations of churches who are effective in making disciples. In these churches, members are expected to… attend an entry point class, attend an open group Bible…
Disciple-making efforts matter. What are you doing to help disciples make progress? How are you helping them to mutliply? Think 2 Timothy 2:2. Are fewer and fewer involved in your disciple-making strategy as you go farther along? Then the strategy may be too complicated. You may have too many steps…
Two encounters are critical. First, the leader encounters God in His Word and is changed. Second, the leader guides the group to have a life-changing encounter.