…so how do we make disciples? At one time learning was simply connected to teaching. Information was delivered, processed and evaluated. The sermon was effective because people were available and not distracted; they trusted the information source, the professionals knew how to do their job and the system worked. Objective truth was valued and it […]
Category: risk
As part of the 40 days of discipleship workshop, we are inviting your reflection on what you are learning as you seek to be a Jesus’ learner in helping to disciple others. Isn’t it great that God not only chooses us as instruments of his grace in the lives of others but helps us to […]
Please watch this 7 minute presentation on issues to keep in mind when designing or choosing your discipleship programme. A compilation of ideas from this summer’s musing. Your comments are welcome. Jim
The goal of the Paths of Discipleship Tool is to turn discipleship from a noun to a verb, offering increasingly difficult challenge levels for the practice of 5 learning verbs that emulate the discipleship process that Jesus used. A quick overview is available there by clicking the lightning bolt icon on the top right of […]
Here is my ‘top 5’ wish list of what I would like to try in a home church. 1. Build a community around spiritual formation by making disciples (learners) rather than adopting a traditional church format and trying to make disciple-making fit into it. Decide what best accomplishes disciple-making, draw a line around that and […]
What others have said: “Jim, I’ve not listened to a more insightful, helpful or engaging presentation in 20 years … especially your five, concluding action recommendations. I highly recommend viewing your full workshop to those who are serious about actually doing what Jesus commands each real Jesus Follower in the Great Commission (Matthew 28-18-20).” Gary […]
I have always been troubled by John the Baptist’s question to Jesus: “Are you the One who is coming, or do we look for someone else?” (Luke 7:20) Didn’t they have the baptism incident together, hearing God’s voice etc? Wasn’t he Jesus’ right-hand man? In addition, John sent his disciples to ask a difficult question. I […]
We don’t know much about Jesus growing up but a good part of what we do know is in Luke 2. There is a fascinating event that effectively illustrates a principle of collaborative connection, especially the need to renegotiate that connection as he grew. It was Jesus family’s custom to go to Passover each year […]
Why I believe in challenging the status quo of the church today: 1) Jesus used a method in disciple making that we have too easily discounted as not workable today. Or we say we subscribe to it, but put so much other stuff in front of it that we trivialize it. 2) The present system […]
I was thinking I would like to start this scholarly journal: The Canadian Journal of Unrealistic Expectations. Oh the stuff we could peer review and publish. There would be no shortage of input. We have pretty high expectations of others and of our institutions. We are quick to attribute blame and use the editorial “they” […]