{"id":37314,"date":"2023-12-21T11:41:20","date_gmt":"2023-12-21T16:41:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/?p=37314"},"modified":"2023-12-21T11:42:59","modified_gmt":"2023-12-21T16:42:59","slug":"making-disciples-without-overworking-the-pastor-a-simple-five-step-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/cccc\/2023\/12\/21\/making-disciples-without-overworking-the-pastor-a-simple-five-step-process\/","title":{"rendered":"Making Disciples Without Overworking the Pastor (A Simple, Five-Step Process)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Written by: Karl Vaters, special contributor and panelist of CCCC\u2019s webinar \u201cThree Ways a Small Church Can Be an Effective Church<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

CCCC recently held an insightful webinar featuring Karl Vaters<\/a>, a small church pastor and author of numerous books on leading small churches. During the event, Karl shared his extensive knowledge and experience in the context of small churches. At the same time, our participants asked several intriguing follow-up questions regarding the development of discipleship processes tailored for smaller congregations. We are pleased to inform you that Karl has graciously provided additional practical insights on this subject. For those unable to attend the webinar titled \u201cThree Ways a Small Church Can Be an Effective Church<\/a>,\u201d it is now accessible on our website. Enjoy the post from Karl below!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Karl Vaters produces resources for\u00a0Helping Small Churches Thrive<\/em>\u00a0at\u00a0KarlVaters.com<\/a><\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Are you happy with the discipleship program at your small church? Does it even exist?<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If not, I have some good news. You don\u2019t need an expensive, staff-heavy curriculum to do great follow-up with new believers. And it doesn\u2019t need to kill your already over-busy schedule, either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a few hit-and-miss attempts, I discovered a simple five-step process that can work for any small church. And it looks suspiciously similar to what Jesus, Paul, and many other early church leaders did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Meet with Every New Believer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes, every new believer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most small churches, this is not just possible; it\u2019s usually a significant step for both the pastor and the new believer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pastors of big churches can\u2019t do this. There are too many people to meet with. That\u2019s not a slam on them or us; it\u2019s just the way it is. But it points out one advantage of pastoring a small church \u2013 the personal touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Determine How They Learn and Grow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s an example based on my meeting with a new believer who had no Bible knowledge whatsoever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a short exploratory conversation, I determined that reading the Gospel of John would be the best way for him to start growing in his newfound faith. I told him to start by reading one chapter a day and then chew on it. If he wanted to re-read the same chapter the next day, do that until he was ready to move to the following chapter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I checked in with him a couple of Sundays later, he was only on John 5. \u201cI sat with John 3 for a few days\u201d, he told me with great joy. \u201cThat conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus was fantastic!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I smiled. He was getting it. God\u2019s Word was doing its work. After that, we caught up regularly. He read through Acts the same way. Then he moved slowly through Romans. I answered his questions when he needed help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve never met anyone else for whom I\u2019d recommend that style of discipleship. But it was the best way for him. People learn and grow in different ways. Let\u2019s use the personal touch we get from being in a small church to help people in the way that suits them best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re wondering how that first exploratory conversation works, it\u2019s simple. I ask questions like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n