A healthy church has a pathway to discipleship that helps people grow spiritually, mapping out the steps for them to take as a process or path. Simply put, a disciple is one who continually learns from Jesus.
This post is part of a series looking at the five essential components of churches with healthy leadership culture. The posts are:
What is a Discipleship Pathway?
A structured approach to growth, like a process or ‘path’ that proactively connecting members to opportunities and other people. It is a process that facilitates development for people through identifying where they are at in terms of spiritual maturity and provides opportunities for growth through service, leadership, training and for ministry.
Why is a Discipleship Pathway important?
The Great Commission! Spiritual growth happens most quickly and healthily in the context of disciplining relationships.
What does a healthy Discipleship Pathway bring to a church?
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- It helps lead people along the process of alignment with the church mission, vision and values.
- The discipleship path creates opportunities and places for increased engagement.
- It develops teams and unity, which helps ensure serving functions well.
- It identifies, equips and provides opportunities for new and upcoming leaders.
What happens if a Discipleship Pathway is lacking?
There will be a disproportionate number of immature believers within the church. Additionally, there will be no structured or proactive way members can connect with or benefit from opportunities for growth – they have to find it themselves.
What helps develop a Discipleship Pathway?
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- A clear strategy to move people from new converts to mature, fully-devoted disciples.
- The majority of ministry leadership is done by non-staff.
- Defined strategy to develop leaders through leadership opportunities, for both staff and volunteers.
- Senior leaders and staff are all involved in the work of discipling others.
- Easy for members to find out serving needs.
Key Questions
How healthy is the Discipleship Pathway of your church?
Is it discipling people, as in, teaching and training them to do the works of Jesus?
Is it a pathway, as in, a genuine process or discipleship path that recognises growth and gifting, and helps people progress and explore all that God has placed inside of them?
What Next?
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- Discover how the health of your current discipleship practices impacts other areas of your church in my FREE Church Health Check.
- Learn how I help churches like yours clarify, articulate and build their unique discipleship process by going here.
- Consider my book ‘Keys to Church Health’ which looks at this area, and other related topics in greater detail by clicking here.
- Review the other Keys to Church Health by going here.
