A session exploring the evolution of church models, the importance of lay ministry, and shifting the focus from programs to relationships in discipleship.

The Need for Lay Ministry

• Ministry is not just for pastors; it is done by all church members.
• There is a critical need to identify and mentor gifted individuals for future ministry roles.
• Developing a pipeline for ministry helps plant seeds for those who may not have considered it.
• The church must actively support young women stepping into pastoral and leadership roles.

The Core of Following Jesus

• Following Jesus is best summarized by the word 'abide' or 'remain'.
• Abiding in Jesus is the key to spiritual growth and maturity.
• Remaining attached to the vine is essential for bearing fruit.
• We must stick with Jesus through the wall of doubt and spiritual adolescence.

Historical Eras of Church Models

• The Wartime Revival (1940-1960) focused on loyal, patriotic Christians.
• The Suburban Era (1960-1980) used a 'build it and they will come' strategy.
• The Seeker-Friendly Era (1980-2000s) focused on reaching dechurched people through consumer-oriented programs.
• Each era left vestigages that influence how we view discipleship today.

Rethinking Discipleship Assumptions

• The church is not the only place to meet God; God is found everywhere.
• Attendance at programs is an easily accessible metric but not the true measure of a thriving church.
• Making following Jesus 'attractive' through marketing is not the primary goal of discipleship.
• We must move from 'come and see' to 'go and tell'.

Unity as the Metric for Success

• Paul identifies unity, not program attendance, as the metric for a mature church.
• Unity is not uniformity; it is loving one another despite differences.
• A united church serves as a powerful witness to the world.
• Our love for one another is the method that draws people to Christ.

Prioritizing People Over Programs

• Programs should be opportunities for life-changing relationships to form.
• The primary tool God uses to transform lives is relationships, not programs.
• Parents practicing faith at home is the number one factor in children staying with Christ.
• Churches should focus on supporting parents in their ministry to their children.

Lines Worth Remembering

• “Apart from me, you can do nothing.”
• “Our churches are perfectly designed to get the results that they do.”
• “The metric for individual growth is humble love. The metric for church growth is humble unity.”
• “People change people.”

One-Sentence Takeaway

To build a thriving church, we must shift our focus from program-centered attendance to Christ-centered unity and life-changing relationships.

If You Only Have 2 Minutes

• Abiding in Jesus is the single most important aspect of the Christian life.
• We must stop relying on programs to do the work of discipleship.
• Unity in diversity is the true sign of a mature, thriving church.
• God is working outside the church walls; our role is to join Him there.
• The most effective discipleship happens through personal relationships, especially in the home.
• We need to intentionally mentor the next generation of leaders.

References & Rabbit Holes

• John 15 — The passage regarding remaining in the vine to bear fruit.
• 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 — Paul's teaching on spiritual maturity and the danger of quarreling.
• Future Church by Will Mancini — A book discussing different eras and models of church growth.
• The Courageous Middle — A resource regarding the importance of creating space for difficult conversations.