“Go and make disciples of all nations…”
We can all agree that COVID has impacted how the church approaches discipleship. Since the pandemic, ministry leaders have had to adapt to using software in ways they never expected in an attempt to foster connection and keep their ministries thriving.
One area we hear more and more churches say they are still struggling with is that they feel they are missing out on opportunities for discipleship, leaving them worried about the spiritual impact they are having (or not having) on their congregation.
After all, that is the great commission Jesus gave us. If we aren’t creating disciples, we miss out on the church’s sole purpose.
Utilize these 4 strategies to foster discipleship within your church.
1) Identify your congregation’s needs.
To foster discipleship and shepherd individuals along their spiritual journey, you first have to know where they are currently in their walk with Christ. So, how do you do this?
This type of conversation can often be intimidating, especially if someone is new to your church, questioning their faith, or maybe someone has pushed their spiritual walk to the back burner and feels shame around the topic. Technology can create a safe space for people to answer honestly without the fear of judgment.
Realm provides impactful tools, such as dashboards, that allow you to clearly see engagement within your congregation. Attendance is often a key indicator of one’s commitment to their relationship with Christ. Realm’s dashboards group individuals based on attendance. From identifying your first-time visitors or those who have missed a few Sundays in a row, Realm’s built-in communication tools allow you to easily connect with individuals and tailor your messaging to where they are on their spiritual journey, ensuring each person feels seen.
2) Create Groups/Pathways based on needs uncovered.
Once you’ve identified where individuals are on their spiritual journey, you can create processes to usher people toward the next step in their faith. For some, that could be shepherding them back into your church body. Realm offers an internal process tracker for situations like this through Pathways, allowing you to keep a pulse on individuals you are trying to support and ensure no one falls through the cracks.
With Realm’s integration with Growth Method, you can take things a step further and automate messaging to first-time visitors that has your personal touch but ensures you don’t miss out on any opportunities for discipleship with newcomers!
You can then create life groups using demographics or spiritual milestones as the commonality to further foster community and discipleship. We were never meant to do this walk alone, and everything feels more bearable when you have someone alongside you who can relate to where you are!
3) Recruit Volunteers for Group Leaders
You’ve identified your congregation’s needs and created processes and groups to foster discipleship; now, you need volunteers to support these efforts. We all have unique, God-given spiritual gifts, so allow your congregants to utilize them!
Identify the different roles you would need filled to lead your life groups and monitor your spiritual pathways, then utilize technology to help you recruit within your church body. Realm offers an easy way to identify the skills and interests within your congregation so that you can then allow individuals to serve and utilize their gifts in a way that supports your discipleship efforts.
4) Spread the Word
Now, it’s time to truly “go and make disciples” of your congregation! Use the tools you have in place to begin connecting with new visitors, shepherd back those who have fallen by the wayside, and further assimilate regular attendees by fostering relationships that lead to engaged members.
Growth is always in the details, so I implore you to take attendance, from your Sunday morning service to your small groups. It will be impossible to tell if you are making an impact unless you do the little things to track engagement.
In Realm’s dashboards, you can track specifics such as “those not in a group” and track who is a part of multiple groups! Seeing progress will fuel the discipline it takes to create and foster an environment of discipleship and accountability within your church body.
If you’ve read this blog, then that likely means your heart and mind understand the importance of discipleship within your congregation. Now, let’s get these strategies in place so you can join the Great Commission and continue growing the Kingdom.
Jenna Wallace
Jenna joined the ACST team in February 2020 as a Ministry Consultant for small to mid-size churches with a focus on empowering these ministries with the tools they need to accomplish their goals. She believes regardless of the size of the ministry, each church can utilize technology to fulfill the calling God has given them. Prior to joining ACST, she spent several years as a Sales Consultant across multiple industries, all focusing on relationship building, which she feels has allowed her to provide trusted advice to those in need. Jenna is passionate about helping others which fuels her eagerness to serve.
