CDM Archive

Discipleship Ministries of the PCA

Church Leadership

Training God’s Kingdom Leaders

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Introduction

This Adobe PDF document link is an outline ofa two-year plan for training potential church leaders. There are four distinct tracks that are crucial in training for leadership in Christ’s Church.

You will also notice that we have integrated the four tracks in order for them to run parallel as far as possible throughout the entire 24 months. There is an abbreviated version beginning on page 16.

Included is a bibliography of key books to use in this discipleship course. The list is not exhaustive butcomprehensive. We suggest books that are easily accessible, readable, and helpful. Most can be purchased through the Christian Education and Publications Bookstore in Lawrenceville. Item numbers are listed with the titles for easy ordering. You will also find a suggested schedule of study.

Each area contains a suggested objective and at least three goals to aid in its accomplishment. The leader or trainer can expand each objective and each goal, depending upon the needs of the individuals involved. Books to use in building each segment are also suggested.

The idea is to use the basic format outlined, but to allow the trainer to develop the sessions. We have defined the parameters of the course, but the trainer will have the best knowledge of the individual’s need for training. As the leader, we encourage you to design your training program with this in mind. If you are using this with groups, our experience has been that each group has enough differences that the approaches need to vary to reflect audience sensitivity.

Underlying this procedure for training leaders is the assumption that God’s leaders must be people of God who “understand themselves and their doctrines.”

First, they must demonstrate intentional spiritual pursuit of God’s purpose in their own lives. Francis Schaeffer’s outstanding book TRUE SPIRITUALITY underscores this vital ingredient of godliness or holiness of life.

Second, they must be strongly committed to ministering to people. Developing genuine relational s kills is necessary to any effective leadership. The “lording over” attitude is not the appropriate approach for people of God. A shepherd’s heart that demonstrates care, concern, and involvement is vital if we are to touch people’s lives; that is, after all, what leadership is all about. Also, leadership is concerned to help people become everything that God would have them become. People skills are necessary to that end.

Third, leaders must have certain skills that focus on the particular task of planning. The calling and challenge to mobilize people to work together toward the accomplishment of some worthwhile mission is a part of leadership. Knowing how to plan, budget resources, and evaluate results are necessary ingredients to leading effectively.

This course of study will encompass all three of the above areas though we realize that there must be an ongoing study if there is to be fruit from the labors. We suggest some primary and secondary resource materials to assist in the process.

Charles Dunahoo

Click here to read and download A Guide for Training God’s Kingdom Leaders

Sunday School and Small Groups

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What’s the difference between an adult Sunday school class and a small group? Why is it important for a church to offer both? Such questions would not have been raised a couple of generations ago. Every opportunity to continue the disciple-making process would be welcome – at least in theory. But I hear these questions a lot today.

Also, most congregations would not have been as intentional as many are today. Purpose statements accompanied by strategies to accomplish specific goals were relatively rare in the Christian community twenty-five years ago.

Both Sunday school and small groups are programs. Consequently, they should be viewed as means to an end – nothing more. If they serve a given purpose, presumably one better than a possible alternative, they are worthwhile. If not, do something else. Time and resources are too important. The task is too big. And the resources, by comparison, often seem meager. My observation suggests that it is difficult for a congregation to put an equal emphasis on both small groups and Sunday school. Invariably one will do better than the other. Let’s look at some specifics.

For the vast majority of churches, the biggest group of people gathers on Sunday morning. That alone makes Sunday morning an ideal discipling opportunity. The traditions surrounding Sunday school can be a significant inhibitor to using the time effectively. But instead of just letting things ride let’s do something about it.

Over the years I’ve had conversations with those who either had or were contemplating abandoning Sunday school in favor of small groups. My first question has been: What will you do to disciple your children? As often as not, that question was overlooked.

In some places a structure has evolved in which children attend Sunday school while the parents are in the worship service. I find that troublesome. Increasingly, we have situations where middle school and even high school students do not attend worship with any regularity. If we expect young people to continue in the church they must be integrated into the full-orbed life of the congregation.

It is possible to have a small group format on Sunday morning that could deal with two problems at once –

1. Childcare is almost always an issue with small groups. To hold them on Sunday morning in conjunction with a children’s Sunday school solves that problem.

2. Both children and adults would have opportunities for study and worship in a two-hour-plus block on Sunday.

But what is the difference between an adult Sunday school class and a small group?

In some churches the small group is primarily for fellowship — an opportunity for people to gather and tell their stories. Other elements such as Bible study are secondary. In such a setting, the difference might be striking because traditionally Sunday school has been a place to study the Bible. Yet it’s also true that the social fabric of some churches is knitted in adult Sunday school classes. In my experience, however, the level of sharing in the small group is almost always more personal – more intense.

That gives us the biggest indication of the difference between Sunday school and the small group. Some in the larger Sunday school class, which is quasi-academic in its setting, would never feel comfortable in a small group.

In small groups that I work with, Bible study is a significant component. So is prayer. It’s also important to have a task – to work together to make a contribution to others. The elements are similar in many Sunday school classes but the setting and the atmosphere make them distinct.

In the Sunday school class, ethics can be approached from a philosophical perspective. In the small group its more personal. Issues such as child rearing and marriage can be discussed more generally and systematically in the Sunday school. In the small group issues confronting members become the backdrop for discussion.

Bible study in the Sunday school can be a bit more academic without forsaking application and in the small group there can be application without neglecting the text. Thus at times the differences may seem subtle, at other points distinct.

In a world that is so ignorant of the Bible and a Christian community so lacking in its understanding of basic tenants of the faith, there is plenty validation for helping people understand the Scripture, the culture and the ways the Christian message applies personally and collectively.

Is It Right to Have Denominations?

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I have been asked, both as a pastor and as CE&P coordinator, about the existence and legitimacy ofdenominations. This is a good topic for inquiry because it is a question about the church. Christ loves the church, his bride, and is pleased when we focus attention on the object of his redeeming love. However, he wants us to begin with his thoughts about the church. In other words, when we talk about the church, we start with what he tells us in his word because the church is a theological entity. Our theology determines our ecclesiology, not the reverse.

Our Westminster Confession of Faith reminds us, in the first chapter, that we can learn things through common grace that can help us order the church to more dearly accomplish our mission. Yet, what we learn about Gods church cannot start from a prag

The Truth About Islam

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Since the evil attack on our nation on September 11, 2001, we have noticed a great confusion in the Church of Christ and in the country concerning the true nature ofIslam. We believe that it is our responsibilityto accurately, fairly, and honestly inform you concerning the truth about Islam. The best way to do so is to ask two importantquestions: what is NOT Islam, and what IS Islam.

From a historical point of view, two ofthe most influential Reformers had much to say about Islam. Martin Luther (1483-1546) said that Islam is God’s judgment upon Roman corruption; a rod of correc

What is Discipling?

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What do you mean when you talk about making disciples? Or what is a disciple? These are questions asked of us on numerous occasions. These are reasonable questions because of the different connotations surrounding the concept of discipleship. The tendency is to respond simplistically by saying that everyone knows what a disciple is and what disciple making really involves. However, if we read the trends and listen to those most identified with disciple making, we realize that these are legitimate questions and should not be taken lightly. After all, the command to make disciples is among the last words that our risen Lord spoke before he ascended back into heaven.

A disciple is a “pupil” or a “learner,” a “follower;” one with definite commitment. I generally define a disciple as “someone who is being taught and consequently accepts a set of beliefs, embracing a wholistic, total, and intentional approach to life based on those teachings.”

There are many definitions but a correct one will include baptism and teaching because that is the way the Lord described it.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:18-20).

We have to understand this commission of our Lord in the context of his Word. The Lord never teaches us or enables others to teach us simply to convey information or to give us certain knowledge about things, at least as ends in themselves. When the Lord teaches us, and this is true throughout Scripture, he teaches us in order that we might believe, learn, and obey. He teaches us to do the things that his disciples are supposed to do.

The above definition of a disciple attempts to convey that a disciple is someone being transformed by the “renewing of the mind,” and obeying the things the Lord teaches us. The commission in Matthew 28, contrary to much “misemphasis,” is to make disciples. Its main focus is not about what we call home missions and world missions, it is about making disciples and how do we make disciples. The going part of the commission, which we generally refer to as the mission aspect, simply tells us where making disciples is to be done-at home and abroad. Jesus tells us that we make disciples by baptizing in name of the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and by teaching and educating God’s people in all the things he has commanded.

When we organized the PCA, we stood together to be “true to the Scriptures, the Reformed faith and the great commission.” That was the motto adopted at the first PCA General Assembly in 1973. There were three equal program committees established from the beginning. Christian education has been a high priority in the PCA from the outset. It has to be, if we take the great commission seriously and its charge to make disciples.

Making disciples is about baptism, and it is about teaching and learning. Often, those who believe they are following the great commission do not understand this. In September of 1999, 450 church leaders from around the world came together representing some 90 Christian denominations and ministries. They met in Eastbourne, England. It was called the International Consultation on Discipleship. Three things were high on that agenda that were the concern of the consultation:

1. ” Many converts to Christianity throughtout the world fall away from faith.”

2. “The church is “marked by a paradox of growth without depth.”

3. “Many within the church are not living lives of biblical purity, integrity, and holiness.”

John R. W. Stott stated at that meeting, “evangelicals have experienced enormous statistical growth…without corresponding growth in discipleship.” African theologian Tokunboh Adeyemo lamented that the church “is one mile long, but only one inch deep.” Those quotes were taken from Robert Webber’s new book Ancient Future Evangelism, a sequel to his first book, Ancient Future Faith, page 13.

In this same book Webber writes that two questions are central to the new book: 1. How to get beyond compartmentalized programs and move to ministry? 2. How to form new converts into discipleship?” (page 18). (We will review this timely book in the next Equip for Ministry).

The mission of Christian Education and Publications is: “Discipling God’s covenant people.” Christian education, particularly as described by Dr. Allen Curry in the lead article in this issue, is vital to the church’s obedience to the great commission, because the commission requires teaching, learning, educating, as well as following, obeying, and commitment.

When we talk about disciples or making disciples, we are not talking about evangelism or conversion though they are part of the process. We are talking about baptizing and teaching the whole counsel of God; however, these activities are not ends in themselves but means to teaching and training children, youth, and adults to be obedient to all that the Lord has commanded. After all he is the King with authority over all things, including all areas of our lives. Our King requires complete allegiance and that is what a disciple is. Actually, in our mission we use the phrase “kingdom disciples,” because that is who we are. There is no area of our lives that is not to be committed to doing God’s will and whether we do that or not is dependent on the discipleship process.

CEP’s mission is to provide the best of training and resources to our churches in order for them to be kingdom disciple-makers. In a forthcoming book focused on the Foundations For Kingdom Discipleship, I set forth the premise that we do not simply process information, or focus on one’s personal formation. Our aim in disciple making is nothing less than transformation of heart and mind.

Charles Malik stated years ago, at the dedication of the Billy Graham School of Evangelism at Wheaton College, that we have a twofold task; to convert the heart and to convert the mind. He stated that if we fail to do either, especially to convert the mind, we will lose the heart and this is happening according to those participants in the Consultation mentioned above. This is what is happening with our young people, according to the latest finds by George Barna. (See the book review section for his latest research on this topic).

In case you’re asked, “what is a disciple or what is the disciple-making process,” quickly respond that a disciple is a person who is being transformed by the renewing of his mind (Romans 12: 1, 2) and is committed to following Jesus in every area of life. What is the disciple-making process? It involves a Trinitarian baptism and a process of teaching, learning, educating, and training to follow King Jesus in all of life. This is to be done wherever we are, “as you are going” and wherever God has his elect for whom Christ died on the cross, “all nations or peoples.”

If this is the Lord’s assignment to the church, it behooves us to understand exactly what and how he told his disciples to do.

An Important Job

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You’re important. Important to the Kingdom.

But someone says, “I just teach a Sunday school class for two-year-olds.”

Our grandson, who just turned three, tells me “I know Jesus loves me.” I can’t say what’s in his mind when he says that but he’s beginning to get the heart of the Christian message.

No matter how sophisticated our formulations of the faith become, it all comes back to this simple realization. “Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so.” Could we say “all I needed to know I learned in Sunday school when I was two?”

It’s not hard for me to imagine that little grandson being a stinker in a few years. This grandfather certainly was. I made most of my teachers miserable.

You’re trying to teach fourth grade boys and it seems like you’re hitting your head against a wall. How long do you put up with that before you say, “enough is enough?” God’s got his hand on some of those boys and he’s given you the great privilege of helping to shape them into the men they will become.

Every person in God’s family is important. There are no “little” people.

Those God has called to teach in the church have been given the responsibility to pass the faith on to the next generation. But the next generation isn’t learning and then they don’t know about Jesus’ love, or what they know is void of Christian content. So to say you teach a class in Sunday school, hear verses in Pioneer Clubs, do projects in Vacation Bible School or become a pal to some child-says that you have been given an incredibly important job.

Never take it lightly. But relax and enjoy yourself. Watch God at work.