Today, I would like to build on the conversation we started in Episode 40 and talk about ways to bridge the perception gap between the laity and the church about what is discipleship. We roughly estimate 10-20 per cent have a clear view of discipleship and are actively engaged in discipleship. It would be an interesting exercise for a pastor or lay leader in the church to ask people of all ages in the church, “How do you define discipleship? What does it look like for you to engage in discipleship?” What else can we do as church leaders to bridge that gap…

Episode 41 - Bridging the Discipleship Gap

Don't Steal What You Don't Understand: Religion as Belief and Function

Ideological Enjoyment

A few episodes back when we were talking with our friend Pastor Kristin about her journey embedding a Discipleship Pathway culture in her church over the past 7 years, she mentioned speaking to “spectators” in the congregation. We all have different labels for this group, but every preacher out there is picturing people in their congregation right now.

When pastors and the leadership team seek to implement change such as a new culture of discipleship, what do we do about the spectators? I mean, they don’t work for change but they don’t work against change either, they just sit it out. Is that ok? Should pastors push or pull to get everyone in? What is our response to the apparent apathy of the spectators in our churches?

Hear Charla and Mark explore ideas around engaging the spectators in your congregation.

Episode 47 - What do we do with the "spectators" in our churches?

In this episode, we talk with Rev. Anna Lee, the Executive Pastor at Cokesbury UMC in Knoxville, TN. Anna shows us how Cokesbury is living out the Great Commission by inviting people to take their next step because everyone has one! Next steps look different for everybody and are not limited to individuals, churches have next steps too.

Anna shares how Cokesbury Church over the past decade has made taking Next Steps a vital part of the embedded conversation in the conversation. It has become more than an invitation, it is an expectation that everyone always has their own next step. Hear Anna and I talk about how Next Steps got its start at Cokesbury and why it has become more than a promotion or a program.

Cokesbury.TV
@churchcmo
mark@churchcmo.com
ChurchCMO.com

Episode 48 - Conversation with Rev. Anna Lee

The Positive Side of Negativity | Nothing Lives, Nothing Binds, Nothing Saves

Wake Festival

A disciple focused church focuses on the next step of the church and the individual to connect with Jesus and serve others. We see that lived out in the explosion of growth in the early church told in Acts 2: 41 -47. The first disciples devoted  themselves to worship, prayer, sharing meals, study and to the community. 

As church leaders, we must also drive the next steps of the church and the next steps of individuals. Is one more critical than the other or is it a chicken and egg dilemma? How do our episcopal leaders and administrations, i.e. in Methodism our bishops and their annual conferences, support disciple making in the local church?

Listen to Charla and Mark discuss these questions and other ways that we support proactive disciple making in and beyond the local church.

Links:
The Alpha Course: https://alpha.org/alpha-online/

Everything Happens with Kate Bowler: https://katebowler.com/podcasts/questions-of-meaning/

Mark@ChurchCMO.com

Episode 49 - Supporting the Discipleship Mission

Are you looking for help making more disciples in your church? But, you don't have time to sort through the oceans of information and posts when you search for help. This podcast is designed to give you regular episodes that are 30 minutes or less that provide helpful tips and ideas that are practical becoming a Proactive Discipleship Church.

Episode 41 - Bridging the Discipleship Gap

Breaking Thru the Noise

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