DISCIPLESHIP DEVELOPMENT. CELDM MINISTRIES Tommy J. Farmer PhD

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1 DISCIPLESHIP DEVELOPMENT CELDM MINISTRIES Tommy J. Farmer PhD Like a lot of other good educational initiatives, Discipleship Development has gone through some major changes since the decade of the 50's. Discipleship training originally was called BYPU (Baptist Young Peoples Union). From this concept, it was determined that since Young People needed to get to church on Sunday Evenings, adult age groupings were developed. That meant that BYPU evolved into Training Union patterned after the Sunday School organization. However, as participation declined, the name was changed to Church Training. The last, and present program, is entitled Discipleship Training. The CELDM Ministry Team is referring to the program as Discipleship Development. During this period the organization still maintained much of the original concepts but as time went on, the organized programs have been mostly abandoned by most churches for lack of participation. Originally, the program had completely different objectives from those of Sunday School. The Concept evolved from an understanding of the second part of the Great Commission expressed by Jesus in Matthew 28: The first priority was to teach about the saving power of Jesus and to baptize the new converts. Then, the church was commissioned (v. 20) to Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.... Church Training was founded on a wonderful concept. It was to provide hands-on experience in sharing the Gospel. The word training took on a new and significant role. Not only did students learn about church doctrines and the mission of the church but also were given instruction and practice in speaking before individuals and groups. They prepared parts to be given before their classmates. As a result, churches experienced the greatest period of growth and the addition of young people going into full-time mission service. To be willing to explore the root causes of regression, takes a lot of courage, conviction, honesty and commitment. It involves the understanding of the Great Commission from the Lord Jesus in Matthew 28: There are two basic plans presented in these two instructions. It has been a tragic mistake to isolate the Second and concentrate, almost entirely on the First, which has been, and is evident to those who will analyze and be honest about the regression involving the Second Part of the Great Commission. Page 1

2 Page 2 No matter what type of plan is envisioned and published and promoted or no matter how well defined and promoted with the promise that if this plan is adopted, it will result in great success for the churches. NO PROGRAM has ever been, nor will ever be, as effective as this one presented by the Lord Jesus himself. The first strategy is to EVANGELIZE and bring the new believers into the church fellowship through baptism. That involves the plan for WHAT to do. The second involves the plan for HOW to do. However, the programs that have been developed were extremely weak in the How to do area. In a research project which involved individual church members in five states and from different size congregations, over 500 hundred individuals were interviewed over several years and were asked the following question: In all the churches that you have united with, what happened within the first two months after you joined? The results were staggering and revealing. Only three responded that there was any attempt to involve them in educational development about their new life., other than an invitation to attend Sunday School. One stated that she was thirty-five years old when she accepted Christ. She was invited to attend a new members class with others who had been saved. There were two other adults, and some children, the youngest being only twelve. She attended two sessions and dropped out. A second respondent stated that he was taken on a tour of the church facilities and that was it. The third stated that her experience had no emphasis on the new Christian life, and did not finish the planned sessions. These were tragic testimonies about what happens to new believers after they unite with a local church. Are there different stories? Yes, but not from this large sample. Colleges and Seminaries have also been regressing in the area of Christian Education, especially in training adult educators. How many churches still have full-time or part-time Ministers of Education on Staff? Because churches no longer see a need for skilled leadership in Christian education, educational institutions are shifting their emphasis to the first part of the Great Commission. And the regression in Christian Leadership Development continues at an alarming rate. The truth about the Great Commission is that the two statements present one complete plan for mass Evangelism. This Master Plan was given to the church because the churches of the future, would be best equipped to effectively promote the plan and initiate the program. It is amazing that these three short inspired verses could entail such an effective and incredible strategy for reaching the lost and empowering the churches. What will follow is a Model, presented by the CELDM Ministry Team, which includes both the concept and strategy for a different approach to bridging the gap between salvation and educational development of new believers.

3 Page 3 The primary objective is designed to focus and promote Christian Leadership Development for New Member Development - (Sponsor Program). Church Members, (short term interest) and Church Leadership Development (speciality development). The Program is entitled: CHURCH MEMBER DEVELOPMENT I. RATIONALE. The rational for Church Member Development strategy is simple: Develop an Educational Plan that will address the educational needs of the congregation, from youngest to oldness. II. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE. The Church Member Development Program is organized on Three supporting structures: A. New Church Member Development (Sponsor Program) B. Church Member Development (Small On-going educational strategies) C. Church Leadership Development (Specialized Development) ILLUSTRATIO0N: People living on a farm often had their own milk cows. The cows were milked by hand in the morning and evening. The farmers developed three-legged stools to sit on while milking. These stools provided stability and were easy to handle. But, suppose when the farmer went for the stool, one leg was missing? Or, even worse, two legs were missing. Just try to sit on a one-legged or two-legged stool. Extremely difficult, or impossible to have any stability. ILLUSTRATION: It is reported that the Island of Guam is supported by three pillars that rest on the ocean floor. Submarines often travel under the Island because the Island rises hundreds of feet above the ocean floor. Just imagine what would happen if one or two of the pillars were to collapse? These illustrate the problems encountered if one or two of the supporting structures are missing from the Church Member Development Structure. D. ORGANIZATIONAL CHARTS (Following) 1. Page No. 4 - Chart for DISCIPLESHIP DEVELOPMENT Program. 2. Page No. 5 - Chart for NEW MEMBER SPONSOR Program

4 Page 4 Chart No. 1

5 Chart No. 2 Page 5

6 Page 6 III. DESCRIPTION OF DISCIPLESHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS A. CHURCH MEMBER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. 1. The Church Member Development Program is designed to meet the educational needs of regular members of the church. 2. They consist of Short Term educational events to meet specific needs of the congregation: ie, (1) Counseling (2) Marriage Enrichment (3) Evangelism Strategies (4) Special Doctrinal Studies (5) Financial Planning (Biblical Stewardship) (6) Committee Structure and Function (By-Laws) (7) Etc. B. CHURCH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 1. The Church Leadership Development Program is designed to provide in-depth training for all members who have been approved by the church to serve in any leadership position. (Examples:) (1) All who serve in any Sunday School and Church Discipleship Development Program. (2) All who will serve as, or will serve, as active Deacons. (3) All who are elected by the church to serve as leaders in any specific program, either short or long term positions. (4) All who will serve as Committee Chairpersons. (5) Etc. C. NEW CHURCH MEMBER SPONSOR PROGRAM. NOTE: For a complete analysis and explanation of the NEW CHURCH MEMBER SPONSOR PROGRAM, please log on to the Program on my Website:(