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Discipleship: How To Start


In the time preceding the arrival of the Pastor, the key issue is the preparation for Discipling the Launch Team.  Responsibility for this process will fall to the Barnabas Ministry Team or other members of the Sponsoring Church. 

The Barnabas Ministry Team will not want to plan or develop Discipleship programs for the new church, as the Pastor and Launch Team will want to carry that responsibility.  However, it will be advantageous for the Barnabas team to be ready with Discipleship programs for the Pastor and for the Launch Team (see Leadership: How To Start).

Such a program need not be elaborate or extensive.  It should reflect the nature of the Leadership of the new church, i.e.:

  • The Pastor will be new to the community and must recruit the Launch Team.
  • Members of the Launch Team may be new to the community (recently moved in).
  • Members of the Launch Team will have little or no sense of community with one another.
  • Members of the Launch Team may be new believers.

Pre-packaged programs are suggested.  Examples include Presbyterian Cursillo (http://www.cursillo.com/home.htm), Alpha Program, Henry Blackaby's Experiencing God, Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose Driven Church.  Other programs from the Sponsoring Church may simply be offered in a special class for the Pastor and Launch Team members.  Care will have to be taken to meet the needs of the Launch Team in light of their spiritual maturity.

Other components of a Discipleship program for the Pastor and Core Team may include the following:

  • Intercessory prayer support;
  • Prayer partners (matching Launch Team with Barnabas Team members);
  • Mentoring (mentor is a member of the Sponsoring Church or the Barnabas Ministry Team).

The other factor that must be considered in planning Discipleship activities for the Core Team is the length of time required to recruit the Launch Team.  It is unlikely that the Core Team will be recruited at the same time but rather, will be recruited over a period of several months.

As a result it will be difficult to conduct a program with a discrete start and finish (until the entire team is present).  Programs that can easily be run in cycles, e.g. Alpha, Cursillo, The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose Driven Church will lend themselves to the dynamics of this period of time.

Return to Discipleship

Go on to Discipleship: First And Second Years


Last Modified 1/24/05 10:37 PM

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