Calvary Nexus just hosted a luncheon called a Connection Gathering attended by 89 leaders from Calvary Chapel and other like-minded evangelical churches from Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara Counties. The purposes were bridge building and learning how to better create a disciple-making culture. I would like to share the nature of the event as a potential model to others and to offer hope for a better way regarding both purposes.
Bridge Building
We invited the Calvary Chapels and other evangelical churches to bring their ministry leaders (Kids, Students/Next Gen, Administration, Small Groups, Care, Women’s Ministry, Executive Pastors, Worship, Tech, Lead/Sr. Pastors). The idea was to connect these leaders from different churches with others who do the same ministry. This would connect them as well as develop better-connected leaders who can share ideas, resources, best practices, and potential pitfalls. During dessert, we invited people to move to another table since many of our team members wear multiple hats. Thus, in one sense, bridges were built between these ministry leaders who share a calling, but in different local contexts.
Yet, in another very refreshing sense, there was beautiful bridge building that was perhaps more subtle. We had a panel Q+A featuring pastors David Guzik, Lance Ralston, Tommy Schneider, and myself. Lance and Tommy are the CCA reps for Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, respectively. I have the privilege of being the CGN representative for Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Here, a bridge was being built to connect two forks in the Calvary Chapel stream. Here, a large group of evangelical leaders, from various local churches in three counties, came together to encourage, support, and learn from one another because there is no good reason, nor any biblical basis, not to.
Creating a Disciple-Making Culture
Pastor David and the panel offered some practical insights on how to create a disciple-making culture.
1. We tend to be better at making converts but are called to make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20):
Disciples are lifetime learners of God’s word, students and followers of Jesus. Unfortunately, a relatively small percentage of people in our local churches are actually making disciples of others. Jesus’ model of mentoring His disciples was relational and intentional. Similarly, our approach to making disciples who make disciples of others should be relational and intentional. Bible learning, small groups, books and podcasts, and mentor/coach relationships are extremely helpful. Be aware of obstacles such as busyness, lack of margin, and inconsistent church attendance.
2. Some practical steps to shift toward in making disciples:
The mentor should be a growing disciple. Like Paul, we are pressing on to be conformed to the image of Christ (Phil. 3:12). The mentor should provide instruction in the Basics of Christian Living. Focus initially on foundational spiritual disciplines. Instruct and be an example: this is how to pray, this is how to learn the word of God, this is how I serve, here is how I share the faith with others, here is how I support the gospel financially. The mentor is modeling in the sense of I do, you watch; I do, you help; you do, I help; you do, I watch; and you do, someone else watches.
Whether the mentoring relationship is one-on-one, or one with a few, the mentor seeks to help the disciple learn how to live as a follower of Jesus in their home, neighborhood, and school as well as where they work and recreate. So, the mentor wants to instruct, be an example, and create a high degree of trust so that questions are encouraged without reproach and meaningful answers are provided with humility and gentleness.
Some potential pitfalls include assuming that people are becoming disciples simply because the Bible is being taught on Sundays. Another is parents tending to abdicate their responsibility to the church to be the primary disciple makers of their children. Equip and train mentors to disciple others to limit unhealthy practices (aka weirdness).
3. How to create a disciple-making culture among your team:
First, talk about it frequently. Do not assume that it is happening. Second, talk with other members of your team about what you are learning. Third, acknowledge those who are making disciples of others well. What you affirm reflects what you value. Fourth, and perhaps most important, pray that you and your team are making disciples who are making disciples.
Some recommended resources and best practices to consider include the following: small groups, especially sermon-based, with trained leaders who have coaches available to them; A School of Discipleship curriculum (https://calvarynexus.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/School-of-Discipleship.pdf); and RightNow Media’s sound, age-appropriate resources for young children, adolescents, and adults. The Bible Project and Enduring Word provide abundant biblical resources to help create disciples who love God supremely, love neighbors as self, and can make other disciples who do likewise.
Bridges Crossed
Leaders developed relationships with other evangelical leaders who share their calling. For example, Children’s Ministry leaders with varying levels of experience became friends. They exchanged contact information. They talked about curriculum, ideas for recruiting volunteers, and ways to train volunteers. They discussed best practices and potential pitfalls related to equipping and encouraging parents to be the primary disciple-makers of their children.
Similarly, every area (Kids, Students/Next Gen, Administration, Small Groups, Care, Women’s Ministry, Executive Pastors, Worship, Tech, Lead/Sr. Pastors) shared an identical experience of being encouraged, cared for, equipped, and empowered as they were connected to others in the Calvary Chapel family and other like-minded evangelical leaders.
The Calvary Chapel family is best and healthiest when we are together rather than divided without biblical cause. We are best when we are building bridges and actually crossing them, rather than blowing up bridges and building walls. The Calvary Chapel family is best when we, in humility, recognize that we do not have a monopoly on evangelical wisdom, insight, and effectiveness; and we can learn from other like-minded evangelicals.
At the end of the day, literally and figuratively, every single person in attendance declared their gratitude for the gathering, how blessed they were to participate, how excited they are for the next occasion, and how good and pleasant it is for the family to dwell together in unity.
