It can feel overwhelming to even consider this expanded definition. But having an intentional plan is the beginning of our solution. And, the more intentional we plan, the less overwhelmed we will be.
How Are You Currently Engaging Those in Your Community Far From God and Your Church?
That’s our first discipleship question.
Wait. Is that the first question? Shouldn’t we start with “What’s our discipleship process?”
Well, the best discipleship processes are designed with people in mind. The people define the process. So if we start with the process, we may accidentally begin too far down the path, leaving out those in our community far from God and our church. Remember, our default is to design discipleship programs for our congregants. We’re attempting to develop a discipleship process for everyone reachable in our community.
So the critical question to ask first really is, “How are we engaging those in your community far from God and your church?” To answer this question best, list everything you’re currently doing to reach the unchurched and de-churched in your community. Next, critically evaluate how each item on your list is working. Resist the “good news organization” temptation. We tend to celebrate wins and make excuses for losses. Don’t do that. Be honest about your success and failures.
I work with plenty of churches on this topic. I often find that most churches don’t really know what’s working. Or if anything is working. The temptation is to count things like baptism, but that’s not an accurate indication of unchurched and de-churched reach. It indicates something about the process, but baptism isn’t a first step in a discipleship journey.
If you read that twice, I’m glad. And it kinda proves the point. When Christianity was cultural, things like baptism were pretty early in the process. But those times are gone. Long gone.
In a holistic discipleship journey, the very first church step for an unchurched or de-churched person in your community isn’t baptism. And it’s not a Gospel presentation, either.
What’s the Best First Step of Discipleship Today?
I’m so glad you asked!
The first step for an unchurched or de-churched person in your community is viewing your Instagram Story or Reel or your website homepage above the fold (I.E., before the scroll). That is the beginning point of the process.
Read that again. It’s a critical element for engaging those in your community on a discipleship journey.
The reason is simple: unchurched or de-churched people in your community are unchurched and de-churched for a reason. These people typically don’t see the church positively or feel it is relevant or helpful for their life. One more thing: Current research shows these people also don’t believe the church and church people are likable or would like them.
Hence, we begin (1) where they are and (2) by answering the question they are asking: “From what I initially see, do I like them, and do I believe they would like me?”
This is where we begin.
If you want to create a discipleship process that is more holistic and reaches those far from God and your church, you can’t start in your church. You have to start the journey where strangers to your church currently are. In the wild.
This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.
