Wow, what a year?! It’s been a challenging and unforgettable for all of us!
As I close out my fourth year of regular writing I want to say, “Thank you.” Thank you for taking the time to read, to consider, and to apply these disciple making principles to your context.
I blogged less frequently in 2020. Not only was I using my writing time trying to keep up the blog, but I also published a free e-book with discipleship.org and Navigators Church Ministries. I also started The Practitioners Podcast with Pastor Tony Miltenberger.
As I think about 2021, I look forward to continuing this journey together. Fair warning, I may post less often as I lean into longer-form writing. But, I will make sure that what I post here is worth your time and attention.
Now let’s get into the best of 2020! If you are new to this space, don’t miss the TOP posts of 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019!
Ebook:
The Foundation of a Disciple Making Culture
Top 5 Blog Posts:
1. Pandemic Disciple Making: Lessons for the In-Between
“Life in a pandemic is like being on an airplane. It’s an in-between season. A time when you are neither where you were nor where you are going. It’s the only time when it’s more accurate to talk about your location in the past or future tense rather than the present.”
2. Lies We Believe: All Growth is God’s Growth
Growth is one of the great idols of the contemporary American church. It’s also infected individuals. Many Christians can’t get enough opportunities to “grow.” The problem with this mindset is it’s not Biblical and it’s not working. The growth idol produces ragged disciples instead of robust disciples.”
3. Should I Disciple Towards Proficiency or Creativity?
“Jesus didn’t major on proficiency discipling. He didn’t seem terribly concerned with multiplying quickly or with systematically meeting the needs of the masses. Instead of curriculum, He offered them the Scriptures and Himself. As He went, He dealt with each disciple as an individual. He discipled toward creativity.”
4. Connecting the Dots of Church Culture
“Culture experts find ways to connect the dots; to make connections, from here to there, from there to the next. It takes time. It is s l o w. Yes, cultural connect the dots pays off in big ways. In a church, cultural clarity can be drawn out by using a tool I call LEAP. When used carefully the image LEAPs off the page. When it does, it brings with it a new understanding, new actions, and eventually the right kind of change.”
5. What’s the Difference? Accountability vs. Disciple Making
“Accountability partners were originally a weight-loss concept in the 1960s. In the 1990s the practice gained popularity in connection to the Christian faith. Many Christian churches and organizations promoted these partnerships, including Promise Keepers. Despite the fact that there are no Biblical examples of accountability partners, this practice has helped many. But it’s not the same as disciple making.”
Top BookNotes Post:
Disciple Making Culture by Brandon Guindon
My New Podcast: