What kind of culture develops a New Testament disciple? 

Last month we looked at the question, "What are we trying to produce?"  This month I want to ask, "What kind of culture (environment) produces a New Testament disciple?"   Most church ministries focus on getting people connected and serving.  If we are not satisfied with that and want to see spiritual maturity in the form of discipleship, we will need to come up with a different strategy.

The default culture in most churches and men's ministries is characterized by programs.  Success is based on how many programs and how well they are attended.  Each program, like a hot air balloon when launched, looks attractive but can only drift along with the cultural winds because it has no power of its own.

However, the culture Jesus developed to make disciples was not a program but a process.  Stepping back and looking at the gospel storyline, it becomes obvious that Jesus had a plan in mind for developing His disciples.  There were stages of development with corresponding experiences that fit the maturity of the men in training.  The stages could be called:
            Come and See (John 1:39)
            Follow Me (Matthew 4:19)
            Be with Me (Mark 3:14)
            Go for Me (John 20:21)
Jesus intentionally and progressively equipped these men to the point where He could release them to reproduce what He had done with them.

Each metaphor of the Christian life used in the New Testament involves process: 
            Physical Model:  a person
            Organic Model:  a plant
            Architectural Model:  a building
            Athletic Model:  a runner
Until we intentionally create a culture that recognizes process we will not develop mature disciples in our ministries.  No one expects a child to act like an adult, a seed to bear fruit or a building to stand without a foundation.  A discipling culture has a clearly defined process, resulting in kingdom expanding power.

A jet engine is an illustration that captures both process and power.  It  can be applied to a men's ministry in particular or the whole church in general.

The plane represents the church and one of the engines represents the ministry to men providing needed power for the plane.  Other ministries, if they are designed on the same model, could become additional power sources giving the church increased altitude and distance.

A Process/Power Model

On a simple scale a jet engine is an environment where air is pulled into the engine chamber (a ministry culture), squeezed to a higher pressure, and ignited by inserting fuel and spark.  The result is combustion and a high volume of air being blown out the exit chamber.  This process produces “thrust” or power.  When connected to a plane this power propels it forward, keeping it in flight.  The genius of the jet engine is both its simplicity and efficiency.

Each phase of the jet engine process is unique and has its own principles and dynamics.  It is important that each phase is integrated and connected to the next in order to get the maximum power.  Likewise, an intentional discipling men's ministry creates an environment where men move from immaturity to maturity, from seeker to leader.  The power comes as men are released as mature, servant leaders to invest in Kingdom expansion. 

Each phase of the process is designed to accomplish something critical for the next step in the maturing process.  The resources needed for each phase are different, emphasizing different issues.  In this case one size doesn't fit all.  But with each step a person's relationship with Christ and their kingdom responsibilities are increased.

The critical combustion area can be likened to the equipping environment of the maturity process.  This unique environment requires a higher degree of intensity and commitment.  It involves the fuel of training, the pressure of accountability, and the spark of modeling to be effective.

An intentional discipling culture creates a clear pathway for people to move from seeker to servant leader.  It doesn't expect everyone to mature at the same rate but makes the pathway visible, practical, and accessible.  It is a place that demonstrates both grace and truth and invites and challenges each person to take their next step. 

If we are to develop New Testament disciples, we will have to change our church culture from the default setting of random events and programs to the intentional pathway of connected next steps that invites and challenges each person to grow up into Christ and become His royal representatives, expanding His kingdom into every nation.

• Is your men's ministry a random collection of unrelated activities or is there a process and clear pathway?
• Can you describe to someone how your ministry events fit together and will help participants take the next step?
• Do you have environments for inviting and challenging men to step up to a deeper commitment to Christ, developing a greater responsibility to live out their identity in Christ?
• Do you have opportunities for men to be equipped to know Christ, reflect Christ and share Christ?
• Are the men in your church passive or engaged as servant leaders?
• Are you developing leaders or just hoping they will show up?

If you have a men's ministry with a clearly defined process and pathway, let me know about it.