Discipleship Ministry

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching” Acts 2:42

Purpose

The discipleship ministry of the church is devoted to the continuous work of making disciples (Matt 28:18-20) of Jesus Christ through teaching that facilitates the growth of the whole member into the image of Christ (Rom 8:29; Eph 4:24) solely based upon the Word of God, which is useful for such purposes (2 Tim 3:16-17).

Church Member Responsibilities:

Though not every member is gifted by the Spirit to be a teacher (Eph 4:11), every member is to be a disciple of Christ (John 8:31; 15:8).  Thus, as the members of the first church “devoted themselves” to the discipleship ministry, members of this church shall devote themselves to this ministry as either a disciple or as teacher so gifted by the Spirit. 

Lead Team

This team will consist of church members who are spiritually gifted in this area (Teaching, Discernment, etc.).  The team will also consist of the the appointed deacon(s), who may be on the lead team, but at the least function(s) as a helper and observer.  The pastor shall function as the elder/overseer of this team (1 Peter 5:1-5).

Areas of Assignment for the Discipleship Ministry

1)   Sunday school

2)   Community group

3)   Sunday night discipleship

4)   Ad hoc Bible studies

a.    Men’s/Women’s Discipleship

b.    Children/Youth Discipleship

c.    Teacher Training

5)   Conduct quarterly or as-needed meetings to evaluate current discipleship activities and curricula, determine and address specific needs in the ministry, and plan future discipleship activities and curricula.  The appointed deacon will then present the evaluations at the next deacon’s meeting.  The leader of this team will then present their scheduled activities at the next ministry council. 

Procedure:

Appropriately gifted church members may volunteer for or be recruited to the lead team of the discipleship ministry.  Each member who does so shall commit to a one-year term that is renewable at the end of each year their ministry.

The lead team shall designate one member to be the team leader.  The team leader shall commit to a one-year term.  The team leader is responsible for organizing and conducting the quarterly or as-needed meetings and serves as a representative of the discipleship ministry on the ministry council.