The United Methodist Church North Georgia Conference Lay Leadership Project Prepared by: The Kingdom Builders May 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

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

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

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

What Do Successful Churches Do? Successful Churches Grow Committed Disciples of Jesus Christ

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

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

Becoming an Invitational Church Get the person in the door Make the person feel welcome Connect the person and continue to build the relationship

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

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 18 th century -- Wesley Discipling restored growth

The Quantitative Benefit of Making Disciples ConversionsMaking Disciples Year1000 per dayEach Disciple leads 2 per yearLUMC 2008 leads 2 per year , , ,095,000271,215 51,460,000813, ,285,00019,683885, ,015,000177,1477,971, ,110,0004,782,969215,233, ,475,00014,348,907645,700, ,935,0001,162,261,46752,301,766,015 More disciples are led into the Kingdom from this point forward under the methodology of Making Disciples. With Discipleship, a Pyramid has developed.

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

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