Discipleship: The Ministry of the Church, Not Just a Ministry in the Church
Too often, churches fall into the trap of viewing discipleship as just one of many ministries—an optional program among a plethora of offerings. It's treated like the children’s ministry, youth group, or small groups—something that's good to have but not essential to the church's identity. This is a serious misunderstanding. Discipleship is not a ministry; it is the ministry of the church. Everything else should flow from it.
As someone who works with churches across the country daily, helping them shift from program management to true disciple-making, I’ve seen the challenges churches face in making this shift. Many churches are caught in the cycle of planning, hosting, and maintaining programs. While these can be (and many are!) beneficial, they often fail to accomplish what Jesus called us to do—make disciples. Jesus' last command was clear: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). His mission for the church wasn't to create more events but to build a movement of disciple-makers.
So, what does it mean for a church to return to a disciple-making focus? At its core, a disciple-making church is far more than a place that hosts a weekly Sunday experience. It’s making discipleship “all-play - every day,” rather than a “some play - some day.” An ongoing, intentional process that shapes every aspect of the believer’s life and the church's mission. Here are 5 key traits of a disciple-making church:
Biblical: Engaging in God’s Word for Life Transformation
A disciple-making church understands that spiritual growth cannot happen apart from engagement with God’s Word. The Bible is not just a book to be studied; it is the living, active Word of God that informs every area of life. In a disciple-making culture, believers are equipped to study the Bible, apply its truths to their lives, and allow it to shape their worldview. This deep engagement with Scripture leads to true transformation—believers are not just informed but transformed by the renewing of their minds (Romans 12:2). A church that prioritizes the Bible as the foundation of discipleship helps its members build their lives on the solid rock of God’s Word.
Relational: Discipleship Begins with Deep Care for Others
At the heart of a disciple-making church is authentic, Christ-centered relationships. Discipleship is not a curriculum, but a lifestyle. It's about walking alongside others, intentionally investing in their spiritual growth. In a disciple-making church, members care deeply about each other’s relationship with Christ. They regularly meet to encourage, challenge, and pray for one another. This requires more than just casual conversations on Sunday mornings—it’s an intentional pursuit of spiritual maturity within community. Jesus modeled this relational approach with His disciples, and we are called to do the same.
Missional: Kingdom-Focused, Not Self-Focused
A church committed to disciple-making has its eyes on the kingdom, not just on building up its own ministry. Disciple-making churches are not inwardly focused on their own growth or comfort; they are outwardly focused on advancing the kingdom of God. They see the world as their mission field and actively participate in God’s global plan. Whether it’s through local outreach, church planting, or international missions, these churches recognize that their calling is much bigger than their four walls. They prioritize sending over seeding, multiplying rather than just maintaining.
Evangelistic: Living Daily to Influence Others for Christ
A disciple-making church doesn’t limit its outreach to scheduled events or organized missions trips. Instead, evangelism is a lifestyle. Every believer is called to be an ambassador for Christ, carrying the gospel into their everyday environments—whether it’s the workplace, the neighborhood, or their circle of friends. A disciple-making church equips its members to be intentional in their daily lives, looking for opportunities to share the hope they have in Christ. Evangelism is not just for the gifted speaker or the trained missionary; it’s for everyone who follows Jesus.
Generous: The Fruit of a Discipled Believer
True discipleship leads to generosity. When believers grow in their relationship with Christ, they begin to reflect His character. And one of the most profound ways this happens is through generosity—both in time and resources. A disciple-making church fosters a culture of generosity, teaching believers to give freely as they have received freely. When the church is focused on making disciples, generosity becomes less about obligation and more about joyful participation in God’s kingdom work. It's the natural outflow of a heart transformed by Christ.
Discipleship: A Seven-Day Calling, Not a Sunday Event
A disciple-making church recognizes that discipleship doesn’t start and end on Sunday mornings. It’s a 7-day calling—a way of life that impacts every moment of the believer’s week. The Sunday gathering is important, but it’s just one part of the journey. Discipleship happens in homes, workplaces, schools, and communities. It happens through the mundane, everyday moments of life, where believers live out their faith in real, tangible ways.
When a church commits to disciple-making, it doesn’t just create better programs; it creates transformed lives. Discipleship is about shaping people who love Jesus, live like Jesus, and lead others to Jesus.
Want to Shift Your Church’s Focus?
If your church is ready to move from program management to disciple-making, we can help. At Replicate, we specialize in equipping churches with practical tools and resources to return to the biblical mission of making disciples. We’ve helped countless churches across the country shift their focus from merely filling seats to making and multiplying disciples.
Visit replicate.org to learn more about how we can partner with your church to develop your unique disciple-making movement. Let’s make disciples, who make disciples, who change the world for Christ!