We had a beautiful day at Evangel yesterday. Though it was almost the last Sunday of summer we had a great attendance and a spirited service. In the evening we had a large attendance for our children’s musical Go, Go Jonah. After the evening service we had an Executive Deacon meeting. After the meeting a couple men hung around outside in the cool evening air and we talked a little about how to move the church forward.
I think God is stirring something. We prayed together and went home. This morning I woke up early-my mind bursting with ideas.
I wonder if moving forward as a church is going to require a untied effort to go back… As I see it the only way to really move forward is to move back to simple discipleship. Instead of tireless efforts to sustain programs that have elements of discipleship in them–why not return to training, inspiring, and encouraging people to participate directly in face-to-face discipleship ministry. Why not encourage one-on-ones, groups two or three, quads of people seeking God, small groups for evangelism and discipleship? Shouldn’t we take a long, hard look at some of the programming and events we labor to maintain and ask if they are effective tools in making disciples?
I’ve been reading a thought-provoking book by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne. Some of the thoughts are summarized by Justin Taylor and Tim Chester here.
Read-through the summary points of The Trellis and the Vine. What do you think?
I so very much agree with what you said. Especially the small groups idea. I think people can more easily open up and share, learn, and grow with a few (vs a large group). At least I know I would.