Just last month two congregations completed our Growing Intentional Disciplemaking Cultures or GiDC. It is a power packed three years with much to reconsider, things to strengthen and new skills added.
Isaiah 58:12 speaks so well to the process. “Your people will rebuild the age ancient ruins
It starts in really small ways and slowly builds a disciplemaking culture. There’s actually over 40 steps in the GIDC we’ve developed. Here’s the top ten. Each church is a unique experience. We contextualize it so it fits well with all kinds of churches.
and will raise up the age-old foundation; you will be called repairer of broken walls.” ESV
There is a lot of disrepair in The Church. There are systems and spiritual steps that have long been forgotten. The joy for these pastors and their congregations is that they begin to experience the ancient paths that Jesus wanted for his church. And that is fun to see happen.
The work to be done is not raced through on a specified timeline. The work takes time. The work is different in every congregation. God works a distinctively in each of his people and in congregations. Therefore we have patience and wisely look for what is good, what is healthy.
It’s a little bit like when the ice thaws on a large lake. The transformation from frozen water to a liquid happens in very small steps. Cracks in the ice begin to form that progress to fissures. The ice thins and as water can be seen below the surface of the ice above.
Ice melting in a cool pattern outside my house. The GiDC helps to slowly transform individuals and whole churches.
Likewise, little small spiritual steps begin to transform the body of believers. These slowly begin to build a culture of disciplemaking. What are some of these steps?
- A reflective regular time in the Scriptures
- Believing what you’re learning can be shared with others
- Understanding that thinking BIG means you start small with one or two others
- Having a picture of a disciple
- Knowing how to powerfully listen and ask questions
- Loving our neighbors so that it opens the door for spiritual conversations
The best part of watching these two churches finish up was a comment Pastor Jerry said a number of times, “I am having the time of my life. This has been the best experience of spiritual growth both personally & in my church that I’ve seen in all my years of serving!”
Yes! May Jesus continue to build His church.
See the story of these two church’s final Cluster meeting.