How Small Shifts Change Culture
November 7, 2022, eight pastors joined with Kim in Fairfield, ME to begin a “Disciple-Making Cohort.” Our first session included some “getting to know you” time, sharing hopes for the cohort, looking at desired outcomes, giving names of people we hope to disciple, praying over those names, setting up the yearly schedule, and enjoying an excellent meal of lasagna. An excellent start.
What often gets us excited is when we begin to see a pastor put into place the plans they craft in the cohort. Here's a quick story from one our pastors:
At our December leadership meeting, I asked each board member to list one person who they hoped to reach and disciple in the next year just like you had asked us to do. Everyone wrote down a name and then we prayed for one another.
Last Sunday, we had communion. Everyone was given a name card (like you get when there is assigned seating at a wedding). On one side, they were asked to write their name. On the other side, they were asked to write the name of someone they hoped/prayed would join them “at the table” in the next year. Each card was then placed on the communion table.
We find these small ways pastors are implementing disciple-making in their churches inspiring. What we love about this church is their emphasis on prayer that leads to places of relationship - like a table. But there are several important cultural shifts hinted at in this short story. First, the pastor grounds all their work in prayer. Our sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit is a critical part of making disciples. Second, the pastor invites and challenges the leadership of the church to simply identify one person. It may sound strange but we find that most Christians really have few friends outside of the church and even less so, friends who don't know Jesus. While small, the subtle shifts in this church have the potential to multiply their disciple-making. Third, the pastor created a place where people could come together around a common need - grace.
With many of the churches we work with it takes many small shifts like these over time to help the congregation make disciples. But in the end the small shifts started in this one church, and others, will bear fruit.
We can't wait to update you on the story as the cohort moves into the new year.