Summary of Jim Putman's New Book "Discipleshift"
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rci...@northshorechristian.org
May 8, 2013, 12:48:54 AM5/8/13
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Hi All,
I have had a chance to read Jim's new book. Here is a brief summary. It's definitely worth the read: http://www.amazon.com/DiscipleShift-Steps-Church-Disciples-Exponential/dp/0310492629/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367974086&sr=1-1&keywords=discipleshift
--Rob
--
THE BIG IDEAS
> Most churches today operate with an educational, attractional, missional or organic methodology. Each is one-dimensional and can be helped with a focus on biblical discipleship done in relational environments (small groups where a leader intentionally develops members spiritually).
> Discipleship is not quick and it is not a church growth program. It doesn't have "5 easy steps to greater church health". Discipleship is a lifestyle. It requires a slow and deliberate course of organizational and personal change.
There are five shifts that churches must make. These shifts focus a church on growing their people spiritually.
SHIFT 1: FROM REACHING TO MAKING
> It's critical that church leadership have a common understanding of (definition) what constitutes a disciple.
> When we study scripture, we learn that a disciple is defined as someone who is following Christ, is being changed by Christ and is committed to the mission of Christ (Matthew 4:19<x-apple-data-detectors://1>).
> The process starts when we identify the stage someone is at in their spiritual development. This must be done in a spirit of love, not judgment. Knowing where someone is spiritually helps us be intentional about growing them to the next level. We can assess where people are spiritually by listening to how they speak.
> The stages of spiritual growth are spiritually dead (unsaved), infant, child, young adult and spiritual parent.
> Spiritual growth is not simply the responsibility of the disciple-maker. The other person has their part, God has His part and we have our part in the process.
> There are four spheres in which we grow: in relationship to God, in relationship to the church, at home and in relationship to the world. We shouldn't just be biblically educated in these areas, but in each submitting to God authority, being transformed by Jesus and joining in Jesus' mission.
> Someone who is making disciples gets the enemy's attention. Spiritual warfare should be expected.
> People grow spiritually at different rates.
SHIFT 2: FROM INFORMING TO EQUIPPING
> Jim Putman's struggles with substance addiction showed him the power of a sponsor (close relationship) in recovery. In relating this to church, he saw the opportunity to focus not on information but transformation through relationship with each other.
> Jesus modeled the discipling relationship in different ways. He had the three (Peter, James, and John) in whom he invested his highest quality time. There were the twelve disciples who received a good quantity of quality time with Jesus. Jesus also spent time with a large group of 72 people and large crowds for his public teaching.
> We are to begin discipling with ourselves (modeling), making sure we are living out the life we want to model for others. We are then to disciple at the small group level, eventually working our way to the crowds.
> The pastor's role is to equip people so that everyone reaches spiritual maturity. The pastor develops leaders and creates systems where discipleship happens broadly (and not trying to disciple everyone on their own).
SHIFT 3: FROM PROGRAM TO PURPOSE
> Disciples can't be made in large gatherings alone. Following Christ's example we need to meet in relational small groups.
> Spiritual maturity happenes through the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and the people of God.
> A leader must both be a in a discipleship group himself and create church-wide systems where everybody has the same opportunity to do so.
> When studying how Jesus worked, ask yourself the following questions:
What did Jesus do?
What do I do now in my own life as a church leader?
What do I teach others to do?
What does real teaching look like (not just transferring information)?
> Jesus' ministry was based on SHARING life and the Gospel with others, plus CONNECTING new believers to God and other believers. Jesus was also MINISTERING to believers by helping them grow spiritually, finally releasing them so they can be DISCIPLING other believers.
SHIFT 4: FROM ACTIVITY TO RELATIONSHIP
> Each ministry in our church should be aligned in a way that leads to discipleship. This is difficult because there are so many good things we can be doing.
> Each minsitry should have:
Discipleship as a clear goal.
A leader who is intentional about making disciples.
A relational enviornment centered around the Bible.
A reproducable process that makes more disciples.
A view of the church that sees it as an overarching structure to support and communicate about discipleship, plus protect the church from competing views.
> Relational small groups are the backbone of discipleship. They allow people to be reached and grown one person at a time.
> Discipleship-focused small groups aren't just for fellowship. They are led by an intentional leader who ensures that shepherding, real teaching, modeling, authenticity and accountabiliy are taking place.
SHIFT 5: FROM ACCUMULATING TO DEPLOYING
> A church should move from being about attracting and gathering people to developing and releasing them.
> A church should evaluate itself not only with traditional metrics, but those related to discipleship.
> The ultimate evaluation is whether your people are equipped and motivated to minister wherever in whatever location and life stage they are in.
> Real Life Ministries intentinonally does not provide "one size fits all" steps to discipleship. It believes each church must wrestle through the process itself. However, if you want your church to be effective in discipling it encourages us to consider the following:
Develop a biblical vision.
Agree upon common terms you will use in your discipleship process.
Create your disciple-making system.
Live out your vision.
Assess where you are, course correct and celebrate wins with your team.
I have had a chance to read Jim's new book. Here is a brief summary. It's definitely worth the read: http://www.amazon.com/DiscipleShift-Steps-Church-Disciples-Exponential/dp/0310492629/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367974086&sr=1-1&keywords=discipleshift
--Rob
--
THE BIG IDEAS
> Most churches today operate with an educational, attractional, missional or organic methodology. Each is one-dimensional and can be helped with a focus on biblical discipleship done in relational environments (small groups where a leader intentionally develops members spiritually).
> Discipleship is not quick and it is not a church growth program. It doesn't have "5 easy steps to greater church health". Discipleship is a lifestyle. It requires a slow and deliberate course of organizational and personal change.
There are five shifts that churches must make. These shifts focus a church on growing their people spiritually.
SHIFT 1: FROM REACHING TO MAKING
> It's critical that church leadership have a common understanding of (definition) what constitutes a disciple.
> When we study scripture, we learn that a disciple is defined as someone who is following Christ, is being changed by Christ and is committed to the mission of Christ (Matthew 4:19<x-apple-data-detectors://1>).
> The process starts when we identify the stage someone is at in their spiritual development. This must be done in a spirit of love, not judgment. Knowing where someone is spiritually helps us be intentional about growing them to the next level. We can assess where people are spiritually by listening to how they speak.
> The stages of spiritual growth are spiritually dead (unsaved), infant, child, young adult and spiritual parent.
> Spiritual growth is not simply the responsibility of the disciple-maker. The other person has their part, God has His part and we have our part in the process.
> There are four spheres in which we grow: in relationship to God, in relationship to the church, at home and in relationship to the world. We shouldn't just be biblically educated in these areas, but in each submitting to God authority, being transformed by Jesus and joining in Jesus' mission.
> Someone who is making disciples gets the enemy's attention. Spiritual warfare should be expected.
> People grow spiritually at different rates.
SHIFT 2: FROM INFORMING TO EQUIPPING
> Jim Putman's struggles with substance addiction showed him the power of a sponsor (close relationship) in recovery. In relating this to church, he saw the opportunity to focus not on information but transformation through relationship with each other.
> Jesus modeled the discipling relationship in different ways. He had the three (Peter, James, and John) in whom he invested his highest quality time. There were the twelve disciples who received a good quantity of quality time with Jesus. Jesus also spent time with a large group of 72 people and large crowds for his public teaching.
> We are to begin discipling with ourselves (modeling), making sure we are living out the life we want to model for others. We are then to disciple at the small group level, eventually working our way to the crowds.
> The pastor's role is to equip people so that everyone reaches spiritual maturity. The pastor develops leaders and creates systems where discipleship happens broadly (and not trying to disciple everyone on their own).
SHIFT 3: FROM PROGRAM TO PURPOSE
> Disciples can't be made in large gatherings alone. Following Christ's example we need to meet in relational small groups.
> Spiritual maturity happenes through the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and the people of God.
> A leader must both be a in a discipleship group himself and create church-wide systems where everybody has the same opportunity to do so.
> When studying how Jesus worked, ask yourself the following questions:
What did Jesus do?
What do I do now in my own life as a church leader?
What do I teach others to do?
What does real teaching look like (not just transferring information)?
> Jesus' ministry was based on SHARING life and the Gospel with others, plus CONNECTING new believers to God and other believers. Jesus was also MINISTERING to believers by helping them grow spiritually, finally releasing them so they can be DISCIPLING other believers.
SHIFT 4: FROM ACTIVITY TO RELATIONSHIP
> Each ministry in our church should be aligned in a way that leads to discipleship. This is difficult because there are so many good things we can be doing.
> Each minsitry should have:
Discipleship as a clear goal.
A leader who is intentional about making disciples.
A relational enviornment centered around the Bible.
A reproducable process that makes more disciples.
A view of the church that sees it as an overarching structure to support and communicate about discipleship, plus protect the church from competing views.
> Relational small groups are the backbone of discipleship. They allow people to be reached and grown one person at a time.
> Discipleship-focused small groups aren't just for fellowship. They are led by an intentional leader who ensures that shepherding, real teaching, modeling, authenticity and accountabiliy are taking place.
SHIFT 5: FROM ACCUMULATING TO DEPLOYING
> A church should move from being about attracting and gathering people to developing and releasing them.
> A church should evaluate itself not only with traditional metrics, but those related to discipleship.
> The ultimate evaluation is whether your people are equipped and motivated to minister wherever in whatever location and life stage they are in.
> Real Life Ministries intentinonally does not provide "one size fits all" steps to discipleship. It believes each church must wrestle through the process itself. However, if you want your church to be effective in discipling it encourages us to consider the following:
Develop a biblical vision.
Agree upon common terms you will use in your discipleship process.
Create your disciple-making system.
Live out your vision.
Assess where you are, course correct and celebrate wins with your team.
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