Discipleship.
We throw that word around a lot in church leadership. But are we truly making disciples, or just hoping that Sunday attendance and small group participation magically transform people into fully devoted followers of Christ?
It’s easy to assume that engagement equals growth, but that’s not always true.
Let me take you back to a crisis moment that forced me to rethink everything I thought I knew about discipleship.
When the Crisis Revealed the Truth
During my time leading Woodstock City Church, everything seemed to be moving in the right direction. Attendance was strong, giving was up, and people were engaged in small groups and volunteering. By all the usual metrics, we were winning.
Then 2020 happened.
The pandemic did what any good crisis does—it revealed the truth. Suddenly, people weren’t attending church—not just because they couldn’t, but because they didn’t miss it or didn’t feel they were getting anything from it. Sure, the first couple of online-only services were fun, but after Easter, viewership dropped off a cliff. We reopened several months later; unfortunately, many people didn’t return.
I would chat with many of these non-returners, and their reasons were all similar. They didn’t say it this way, but the feeling was, “We haven’t been to church for a long time and our lives are just fine.”
Some felt their lives were better without church—they had more time with family, more rest, more peace.
That was a gut punch. So many people missed church but didn’t miss church.
At Woodstock City, we were filling seats. We had resources and revenue. Lots of small group participation. We weren’t hurting for volunteers. Some lives were changing. No doubt. But en mass?
The Real Mission: Moving People Towards +10
Every church has a mission statement. But are we accomplishing our mission? Are we actually leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus?
We don’t exist to fill seats or create revenue. Our mission is why we exist.
Here’s a helpful visual: Imagine a number line where Satan is at -10 and Jesus is at +10. Every person in your church is somewhere on that line. Some are at -5, skeptical about faith. Others are at +6, mature believers who’ve been following Christ for years. The goal is to move every person, no matter where they are, closer to +10.
Discipleship is Not One-Size-Fits-All
A one-size-fits-all discipleship program won’t cut it. What moves a -3 to a -2 differs significantly from a +5 to a +6. To move people forward, you need an intentional strategy that addresses where they are on their journey.
Four Stages of Discipleship
There are four distinct stages in the discipleship journey, and each requires a different approach:
1. Lost People Saved
This is evangelism—reaching people far from God. They’re somewhere around -3 on the number line. They’re curious but unconvinced. Your goal is to help them encounter the Gospel for the first time.
2. Saved People Pastored
Once someone crosses the line of faith, they’re spiritual infants. They need guidance, care, and mentorship. These are your +1s and +2s—learning to pray, read the Bible, and live out their faith.
3. Pastored People Discipled
Here’s where real growth happens. It’s not about attending small groups or volunteering; it’s about applying what they’re learning and taking ownership of their faith. These are your +3s to +6s.
4. Discipled People Mobilized
Mature believers aren’t just called to grow; they’re called to lead. Your +7s and +8s are the ones who are leading small groups, mentoring others, and serving in significant ways.
Do You Have a Plan?
Now comes the big question: Do you have a plan to move people through these stages?
If someone walks into your church at -2, what’s your plan to get them to +1? If a mature believer at +6 joins, how will you help them grow to +7?
Too many churches have a mission but no strategy. Hope is not a strategy.
The Fundamentals of a Successful Discipleship Plan
A successful discipleship pathway must have these ingredients:
1. Relationally Driven
Discipleship happens best in community. Every step should connect people with others to walk alongside them.
2. Incremental Steps
People need easy, obvious next steps. Don’t overwhelm them. Offer small, manageable steps forward.
3. Omni-Channel Approach
Discipleship should happen both online and in-person. People don’t live in one space, and neither should your strategy.
4. Movement Oriented
The goal is always movement. No one should stay where they are, whether they’re at -2 or +6. Inspire and equip them to take their next step.
What’s Your Next Step?
Ask yourself:
- Are we truly moving people towards +10, or just keeping them busy?
- Do we have a clear pathway for people at every stage of their faith journey?
- How are we measuring progress? Is it just heads in seats, or real spiritual growth?
It’s time to stop checking boxes and start making disciples.
One More Thing…
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Leading With You,