You Alone Can Do it, But Let’s not do it Alone! An open discussion on leaving a legacy to the next generation that will out last and out live us all! DISCIPLES WHO MAKE DISCIPLES Jesus said… come to me and I will make you fishers of men!

2014 General Assembly Motion “each church establish and report what their process is for disciple-making to their District Superintendent by December 31, 2015 and on a biennial basis thereafter.” What is Your Gut Reaction to this motion … and Why?

2014 DISTRICT TRANSFORMATION TRACKER We have not defined a discipleship process 20% of our churches We have begun discussion on our process 40% of our churches We have a discipleship process in writing 22% of our churches Our discipleship process is working 18% of our churches Only 18% have a working plan - What’s with this? Where does your church fit into the picture?

What’s Your Story? Share with a person at your table a reader’s digest version of your story in finding Christ and Growing in Him. To what extent did people and church programs play a role in your growth? To what extent have you been trained and equipped to disciple another person in the faith?

What’s Your Understanding? What is the relationship between Jesus’ invitation to ‘come to me and I will make you into fishers of men’ and his commission to ‘go into the world and make disciples of all nations.” Think on this for a minute and then discuss it with your table? What are the implications for the local church?

You Alone Can Do it, But Let’s not do it Alone! How can we work together as a district family of believers and churches to accomplish this task together and, in doing so, leave a lasting legacy of ‘disciples who make disciples’ to the next generation? That is the challenge before us… Are we up for the task?

Every Meaningful Disciple Making Plan has Three Elements… 1. A person or group of people who will champion this cause through to completion 2. A relational environment in the church that focuses on personal growth & maturity 3. A written process that is easy to follow that will keep us on course

Table Talk… Consider the following statements related to disciple making and discuss their relevancy to the task at hand. Discipleship isn’t ‘a program’ in the church, it is ‘THE PROGRAM OF THE CHURCH.’ If you focus on growing the church may get some disciples… but if you focus on making disciples, you’ll always end up with the church. (Mike Breem) AND

Making Disciples – Pre Conversion Jesus said… If the son of Man be lifted up, I will draw all men to myself. Salt and Light, Plant and Water, Live as Ambassadors for Christ. God’s Work Role of Believer Role of Church Attract, Associate and Adopt seekers into the fellowship of the Church. Give examples of what you are up to….

Making Disciples – Post Conversion He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Grow up into Christ through ‘stages’ of spiritual development. God’s Work Role of Believer Role of Church Nurture intimacy with Christ, Apprentice believers into Ministry and Leadership, Make Disciples who make disciples! Give examples of what you are up to…

Bringing Church Ministry ‘To Life’ … an exercise to help you understand where you are in the journey, and what ‘next steps’ might look like for your church.

Resources to Help Us Complete this Task Your Church Coach is committed to walk you through the experience of creating your plan, Sister Churches who have completed their plan, ready to offer assistance in helping you. Resources on the District Website – suggested reading, planning models, team exercises, examples of church plans.

Next Step Considerations… What has to take place in my church to make this task a priority that results in action? Who are the key stakeholders in the church to lead us toward completion of this task? What are 3 things that have to happen in moving our plan forward before the summer break? How can our church coach assist us practically toward the completion of our plan?

You Alone Can Do It, But Let’s Not Do It Alone! Leaving a Legacy for the Next Generation… Disciples who Make Disciples