Church Planting Archives - Page 2 of 13 - Pursuing Disciple Making Movements in the Frontiers

Practice. Practice. Practice. “But I don’t like to practice, I like to play.” When I was a teenager, I played on a basketball team. I hated practices. We would dribble the ball up and down the court and shoot layups for hours. It was tiring and boring. I preferred the games. They were fun! Without practice though, we didn’t win games. Practicing disciple making skills is no different.

For some reason, we think that doing things like evangelism and disciple making shouldn’t need practice. It should flow out of us without any training or effort. This is not actually what either Jesus or Paul said. They used the word practice to describe the learning and applying process. read more

Church Planting

3 Mistakes in Disciple-Making

By C. Anderson on Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Most disciple-makers, pastors, and Christian leaders want to see greater fruit in their ministries. Our hearts long for the rapid expansion of God’s Kingdom on earth. Yet often, what we long for and what we experience are quite different. There is a better way, a more effective way to see your community reached. Avoiding a few common disciple-making mistakes can have a tremendous impact.

Let’s unpack these.

Making Things Complicated.
Releasing New Believers Too Slowly.
Focusing on Individuals, Not Groups.

Dandelions multiply naturally and organically. Disciples can do the same.

Making Things Complicated

Our human tendency is to over-complicate things. Spiritual practices are no different. Jesus kept things simple. read more

Church Planting

5 Ways to Love Your Neighbor

By C. Anderson on Tuesday, June 21, 2022

How do we effectively love our neighbors? Why does it feel so awkward and uncomfortable at times? Jesus commanded us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, but what does that look like practically? It’s different in different cultures, but some things are true in all contexts.

I recently interviewed Dave Ferguson about his recent book B.L.E.S.S. Watch the full one hour interview below.

B.L.E.S.S. stands for:

Begin with prayer,
Listen,
Eat,
Serve,
Story.

Watch full interview with Dave Ferguson

Prayer is the foundation of everything we do. Dave talks about the importance of making a list of people you pray for regularly by name. read more

Church Planting Faith

Ever Feel Like You Don’t Have What It Takes?

By C. Anderson on Tuesday, June 21, 2022

As we work in Disciple Making Movements, it is common for us to think that we need more. We think, “If we only had more money it would be so much easier to do what we are called to do. if we had more workers…we would finally get results,” we tell ourselves. Or, “If we had more training and more understanding…then things would start happening.” We have come to believe that we need more, that we do not have enough to do what God has called us to do to see a movement of Jesus’ disciples start. read more

Church Planting Discipleship Strategy

What Are “Borderless Nets” and How Do I Cast One?

By C. Anderson on Tuesday, June 21, 2022

A few days ago, a friend from Bangladesh used the term “borderless nets” in a chat message. It caught my attention. I’m not sure where he got the term, or if someone else used it first. I immediately asked the question that is now the title of this blog. “What are ‘borderless nets’ and how do I cast one?“ I thought about Luke chapter five. Could casting “borderless nets” help us catch the huge number of fish not possible in other ways?

Covid-19 forced us to think and work in new, innovative ways. It pushed us out of the box (or rut) we were in. God is like that. He turns horrible things the enemy intends for evil into good for His kingdom. read more

Church Planting Discipleship Missions

What Does Worship Look Like in Disciple Making Movements?

By C. Anderson on Tuesday, June 21, 2022

“How does worship work in a DMM?” she asked in the chat. My trainee is a gifted worship leader. Would a Disciple Making Movement approach make room for her gifts? The answer is yes, but it looks different than in a traditional (legacy) church.

Worship is vital to our spiritual life. Through worship, we grow close to Jesus, experience His presence, and gaze on His beauty. There, we are transformed. Every disciple must grow as an active worshipper.

Our understanding of worship, needs to grow beyond something that happens in a church building. It doesn’t need a sound system or gifted musicians leading a congregation. We need a more Biblical understanding of worship, and a more reproducible model. read more

Church Planting

An Investment in Heaven- My Tribute to A Kenyan Movement Leader

By C. Anderson on Tuesday, June 21, 2022

This heart is heavy today. My Kenyan brother, Leonard Kyalo, went home to be with Jesus yesterday. He was a dear friend and someone I’d coached regularly for the past three years. Instead of my normal blog, this is a tribute to his life and a challenge to join me in raising up hundreds to take his place.

Social Media Friendship

I first met Leonard on Twitter. It was early in my learning stage on how to use social media to spread the message of Disciple Making Movements. We chatted about his vision to reach his nation and multiply movements there. I sensed sincerity and a hunger to grow in his understanding of DMMs. read more

Church Planting Generational growth

What Matters Most? Church Traditions, NT Practices, or the Commands of Christ?

By C. Anderson on Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Can a layperson or woman baptize? Are baby dedications important or should we baptize the babies of Christian parents? Do pastors need to wear a tie when they preach? These and many other questions we face have a lot to do with church traditions. When we go to the Word of God, on many of these things, we find little (if any) specific guidance.

How do you sort out what to do in your Disciple Making Movement effort? Is it helpful to follow your own denominational tradition? Or do you need to embrace a different way of doing things if you want to see a DMM? read more

Church Planting Evangelism Faith

How to Cooperate With God and Release Miracles

By C. Anderson on Tuesday, June 21, 2022

A Disciple Making Movement trainer I know uses this question with potential seekers. “If God were to do a miracle for you today, what would it be?” Let them answer, then pray for whatever they said. Watch and see what God will do. This simple evangelism strategy makes room for God to show off His power and tremendous love.

It’s a somewhat scary strategy for some.

When we pray for a miracle, we can feel like we will be evaluated based on what happens. If God does something unusual, great. If not, then we wonder if we will be discredited somehow. People might think we are dishonest, fraudulent promoters of kooky religious ideas. Or they may reject us as just plain weird. Others might feel we are trying to be someone great, but aren’t able to deliver the goods. read more

Church Planting Strategy Training

Healthy Church Quiz

By C. Anderson on Tuesday, June 21, 2022

How do you evaluate the health of disciple making groups and house churches you’ve started?

Like healthy plants, healthy churches reproduce and grow. If you aren’t seeing the kind of growth you hope for, adjustments may need to be made.

Evaluate!

Take this short survey (5 to 10 minutes maximum.) Evaluate the health of your disciple making group, church, or overall Disciple Making Movement.

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Take-Aways

What did you learn from the quiz about healthy churches and movements? What action will you take?

Share in the comments below or on the DMM Frontier Missions Facebook group. read more