Creating a Culture for Discipleship: A Key Component of Spiritual Growth

As churches, we're often focused on evangelism and reaching new people for Christ. And rightfully so - Jesus did command us to 'go and make disciples' (Matthew 28:18-20). However, if we stop at just getting people saved, we're missing a crucial step in their spiritual growth journey. That's where creating a culture for discipleship comes in.

At my church in San Diego, as well as many other churches around the world, we've seen firsthand the importance of having a solid discipleship strategy in place. And that's why I'm excited to share with you our new resource, Following Jesus, which has been helping us and many others deepen their relationships with Christ.

But before we dive into specific strategies, let's talk about the bigger picture - creating a culture for discipleship within your church. As pastors and ministry leaders, we've been given a mandate from Jesus to make disciples. And it's not just about having a clever program or method; it's about intentionally cultivating an environment where people can grow in their faith.

In recent years, we've seen a shift in the church - a return to relevance and engagement with culture that allows us to share the gospel in a way that resonates with people. And as a result, many churches are seeing significant increases in visitor responses and salvations. But alongside this growth, there's an equally important need for effective discipleship strategies.

That's why I believe God is stirring up fresh wisdom and strategy throughout the church right now - to help us disciple our new believers and help them grow into mature followers of Christ. By prioritizing discipleship culture within your church, you'll be better equipped to help people deepen their relationships with Jesus and make a lasting impact in their communities.

So what does creating a culture for discipleship look like? It starts by recognizing that discipleship is not just something we do for new believers, but for everyone in the church. It's about being intentional about spiritual growth and development across all age groups and stages of life.

It means providing opportunities for people to learn, grow, and serve together - whether through small groups, Bible studies, or service projects. And it means being patient, understanding that discipleship is a long-term process that takes time, effort, and patience.

By prioritizing discipleship culture within your church, you'll be investing in the spiritual growth of your people and helping them become the kind of followers Jesus calls us to be. So let's make sure we're not just content with getting people saved - but committed to seeing them grow into mature disciples of Christ.

Leanne matthesius