Discipleship

The United Methodist ChurchNorth Georgia Conference

Lay Leadership Project

Prepared by:

The Kingdom BuildersMay 24, 2008

Liz Borgschulte - City on a Hill UMC

Van Burton - Snellville UMC

David Gray - North Springs UMC

Walter Hickling - Capital View UMC

Johnny Johns - Simpsonwood UMC

Patti Rioux - Tucker UMC

Nancy Watkins - Moore’s Chapel UMC

Discipleship

Why Do We Need To Be Concerned about Discipleship?

Jesus was concerned about It… Great Commission in Matthew 28:19

Statistically the membership of the UMC continues to decline

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Discipleship

How Did John Wesley Disciple People?

He understood his mission in light of

the Great Commission

He trained and empowered others by implementing… “The Biblical Model”

He did not limit the approach of the Gospel

He did not limit the people with whom he shared the Gospel

Discipleship

What Do Successful Churches Do?

Know and understand the purpose, mission and vision of their church (Have a plan)

Train and empower leaders to facilitate a lay driven church (Empower people)

Share with words and action the role of the church (Communicate the plan)

Provide an authentic, welcoming and invitational environment (Work the plan)

Adapt the plan as necessary

Discipleship

What Do Successful Churches Do?

Successful Churches Grow Committed Disciples of Jesus Christ

Discipleship

Objective Provide ideas for each local UMC church to take action Modify ideas to local community and church Working paper: Primer, Program, Foundation

Discipleship

Transform Believer & Non Believer Disciple moves out of comfort zone Un-churched willing to be open minded

Becoming a believer Neither church nor disciple is perfect Worship is not waste of time

What Did Jesus Do Built relationships Blessed each one Prayed for everyone Brought Kingdom into each person’s life

Discipleship

Becoming an Invitational Church

Get the person in the door

Make the person feel welcome

Connect the person and continue to build the relationship

Discipleship

Becoming an Invitational Church

Get the person in the door Assess and communicate with local community Train and implore the congregation to be inviting Guest friendly website

Make the person feel welcome Greeter at important functions Obtain contact information Contact the guest within 72 hours

Connect the person and continue to build the relationship Note of appreciation for attending service Visit from ministers/evangelism team Discover guest’s needs -- connect to small group With permission, add guest to prayer list

Discipleship

The Case for Discipling

Jesus had 3 in His inner circle, 12 apostles, 70 disciples First 89 years after resurrection, Gospel taken to ends of earth Christianity grew at faster rate than population -- then slowed Microcosm in England in 18th century -- Wesley Discipling restored growth

Discipleship

The Quantitative Benefit of Making Disciples  Conversions Making Disciples Making Disciples

Year 1000 per day Each Disciple leads 2 per year LUMC 2008 leads 2 per year

1 1 1 45

2 365,000 3 135

3 730,000 9 405

4 1,095,000 27 1,215

5 1,460,000 81 3,645

10 3,285,000 19,683 885,735

12 4,015,000 177,147 7,971,615

15 5,110,000 4,782,969 215,233,605

16 5,475,000 14,348,907 645,700,815

20 6,935,000 1,162,261,467 52,301,766,015   

More disciples are led into the Kingdom from this point forwardunder the methodology of Making Disciples.

   With Discipleship, a Pyramid has developed.

Discipleship

Build a Foundation

Mindset – Admit we can do better

Communicate – Share the Gospel

Empower the Leaders – Willingness and obedience

Connect – Relationship to God, people, church and programs

Urgency – “Git ‘er done!” Willing to make mistakes

Our Goal Successful if one lost soul is brought into Kingdom Disciples can do much, much more

Discipleship

Romans 6:17-18, “… though you used to be slaves to sin…You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.”

Jesus has provided us the teachings and the Holy Spirit to perform miracles.

Miracles happen when you lead a lost soul into the Kingdom.

You have freed someone from the bondage of sin and eternal death.

Slaves to Sin or Slaves to Christ