As a reminder … I have the great privilege of getting to connect with amazing leaders most every week. In every case, I come away richer for the insight from these innovative leaders. In my last post, I shared insights about “Knowing Your People.” If you happened to miss it, you can take a look at it here.
This time around, I want to share a couple of thoughts about discipleship.
Threads: Weaving Disciple Making into the Fabric of Your Life
Over thirty years ago, I began pastoral ministry serving as the associate pastor under Rev. Dick Freeman. Some time I will do a post about everything I learned as the “young pastor” guided by his leadership. At the time, his son Kirk was a student at Baylor and he and his now wife Debbie became good friends. Fast foward to today. Kirk and Debbie are still friends. Kirk has followed in the footsteps of his dad and is currently serving as the founding pastor of Crossbridge Community Church in San Antonio. And now, I am learning and being shaped by Kirk’s leadership in the area of discipleship.
Kirk recently released his book, Threads: Weaving Disciple Making into the Fabric of Your Life, that chronicles the development and design of a more for discipleship that has transformed his church. Following is the description of the book from Amazon:
No matter where you are or who you are with, Jesus wants to include you in what he’s doing in the world. He genuinely enjoys being with you and his great delight is for you to join him as he reveals the reality of his love to others. All of life is an opportunity!
In Threads, you’ll find how disciple making can be woven like threads into every aspect of your life, your family, and your church. The approach is biblical, life-giving, and reproducible. It's all about learning to genuinely enjoy and follow Jesus in a way that we can show others.
If you’re a disciple maker, you’ll find a way of discipling that is more life-giving and less driven by content and structure. You’ll find people you disciple actually enjoying Jesus and eager to follow him in making disciples.
If you’re a pastor, you’ll discover how to weave disciple making into every context of the church. Your large gathering, children’s/student ministry, small groups—even your staff meeting—will have common threads of disciple making powerfully present.
If you’re a parent, you’ll find practical and meaningful ways to weave disciple making into your family in a way that helps your children experience the very real presence of Jesus.
Now most of you are leaders in large churches and may be quick to say, sounds like something that would have worked back when I was ____________ (fill in the size), but not now. I challenge you to not dismiss it too quickly. Kirk has grown Crossbridge from a group in his living room to over 2500 disciples.
What makes it work? The simple fact is that it is not a program, but a way of doing life, hence the title of the book. There is a framework, and core experiences but perhaps the most powerful foundation are three simple values:
We are Jesus centered.
We have a Kingdom calling.
We leave footprints for people to follow.
If you’re feeling stuck, give it a read.
Dan Reiland - Two Words, One Difference and a Simple Tool
I am sure you all know Dan Reiland. Dan currently serves on the lead team, church board and is Executive Director of Leadership Expansion at 12Stone Church in Lawrenceville, Georgia where he served for 20 years as the Executive Pastor. He previously partnered with John Maxwell for 20 years, first as Executive Pastor at Skyline Wesleyan Church in San Diego, then as Vice President of Leadership and Church Development at Maxwell Leadership (Previously INJOY).
And if you know Dan, you love him. Through the years he has served many leaders through leadership communities at Leadership Network and in recent days through my Leadwell Groups. In a recent cohort gathering, Dan shared some simple profound truth that has lots of applications. In this article, I am applying it to discipleship.
Two words
Keep it simple and consistent. Discipleship (or leadership development or …) doesn’t scream for attention and when something becomes too complex or inconsistent, the urgent takes over the important. And the approach dies a slow death.
One Difference
Two many models focus more on equipping than developing. They are both important of course, but distinguishing the two as follows creates staying power.
Equipping is more science and developing is more art.
Equipping is more training and developing is more investment in a person.
Equipping is more transactional and developing is more transformational.
Simple Tool
Dan recommends the following as one simple tool that is simple, can be consistent and incorporates equipping and developing.
Get a book (or any resource - Bible, podcast, etc.).
Pick a group.
Ask 2 questions - What are you learning? What are you applying?
I hope that you are encouraged, challenged, convicted … whatever you need in the moment.
I would love to hear back from you. What resonated? What did you disagree with? Are there adjacent insights that you are aware of and would be willing to share. Shoot me an email (greg@ligongroup.com) at or schedule a time that works for you here to talk further.
And don’t forget …
Leadwell Cohorts
If you are looking for a community of peers to navigate church, leadership and life with, consider applying for one of my Leadwell Cohorts. We have groups for Next Gen Senior Pastors, Executive Pastors and Senior Pastors Finishing Well. The spring groups are full and fall groups are forming now.
Cohorts are by invitation only. If you are interested, contact me ASAP either via email at greg@ligongroup.com or by scheduling a call here.
P.S. Both Kirk and Dan are part of the mentor team for our cohorts.
Pastor Smart Succession
I’m partnering with Dave in bringing the Pastor Smart Succession process to come alongside you and your church as you enter the succession zone. We walk with you each step of the way as you shape a “framed fit” for your future.
If you are beginning to think about what’s next, I’d love to connect and learn more and share more about how we can help. You can schedule a call here.