Back to the Basics

At one time in North America, a fresh wave of passion for the Great Commission rose. It coupled a longing to see Acts-type movements ignite across the great cities of the United States and Canada. Around 2010 to 2011, we saw a surge in efforts to spread the Gospel to every people and place. There was a new sense of confidence that Jesus wanted to do something right here, right now, through faithful laborers committed to seeing the Kingdom come in their specific contexts.

This movement was birthed by a handful of fruitful brothers and sisters who had seen God do incredible things in overseas contexts. Upon being re-assigned to the U.S., they began training others in the same principles that catalyze generational disciple-making in places like India, China, Indonesia, and the Middle East. Through these methodologies, fruit emerged that fueled the fire even more. It was like the Wild West; practitioners tested tools and processes to find the best practices for the Kingdom movements we were believing in God for.

The “No Place Left” Vision

We found our primary inspiration in the book of Acts, particularly in Paul’s journeys. His travels remain the definitive case study for understanding the workings of the Spirit and unlocking the thinking of a practitioner.

The tagline for our network comes from the book of Romans. Paul was writing to a church he had never visited, and he was on his way back to Jerusalem to face the “fire” from the Jews. Even in the face of that coming trial, Paul wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that there was “no place left” for him to work in the regions where he had labored for 15 years (Romans 15:23).

The boasting of an accomplished work from the best missionary to ever live forces us to ask: How could he say that? What did he do that made this “foundation layer” confident enough to move on to new people and places? The answer is simple: He did what Jesus did. He made disciples who made disciples, who formed churches that made even more disciples.

The Identity and the DNA

Over the last 15 years of laboring, celebrating, and “failing forward,” we have seen different waves of emphasis. Early on, there was a heavy focus on Gospel sharing and baptisms. Then came the focus on the identity and function of the church, which is critical for sustainability.

While these are vital, the “engine” for both is the process of disciple-making. During the seasons of high growth, we emphasized a common language and common process to achieve a common vision. We immediately injected the disciples’ identity into new believers. They weren’t just “churchgoers”; they were followers, fishers, new creations, and ambassadors of Jesus.

Groups started with the DNA of multiplication. They were “repping out” the process of accountability, Gospel sharing, and goal setting. Equipping was high, and because of that, a strong culture of hearing, obeying, and passing on Jesus’s teachings became the means of going deep.

Returning to the System

Right now, “little revivals” are popping up on college campuses, in workplaces, and in urban and rural settings across North America. As the wind begins to blow, we need to “have our sails up,” as the late Steve Smith would often say.

In 1 Corinthians 4:17, Paul tells the church he is sending Timothy to remind them of “his ways in Christ” that he teaches everywhere in every church. Paul had a system and an expectation of what should be taught and practiced. The results are seen in Acts 19:10, when Luke writes that all of Asia heard the Word of the Lord in just two years.

While good things are happening today, we have drifted from these fundamental competencies. We have lost the “why” and the “how.” It may be that we have a misguided view that one “graduates” from disciple-making, or that we simply started focusing on other aspects of the work that produced quicker results.

The Diagnostic: Back to Basics

In your churches or groups, can everyone lead someone through a short-term discipleship set? Can they model, assist, and watch those in that group do the same to the third generation?

• Does everyone know who to share with and what to say?
• Does everyone know what to do when someone says “yes” or “I am interested”?
• Do they know how to gather disciples into new churches and own the identity of “church”?
• Do they know how to develop faithful brothers and sisters to reproduce the process?

Will You Join Him?

If you have a short-term discipleship process, take inventory. Check the leaders’ confidence levels in your stream. If you are new to this and want to make disciples that multiply, we invite you to reach out to Kyle or Bud for training. We can likely connect you with someone local.

We are believing God for what He promises. We are pressing into His ways. We believe that God wants to do something here, now, and through us. Will you join Him?