Five Guidelines for Establishing Value-Centered Discipleship Ministries
Do you remember from Sunday School the children’s song based on Matthew 7:24-27? I always enjoyed watching children as they enthusiastically belted out each line. Here are a couple of the condensed verses:
The wise man built his house upon a rock. (repeat multiple times)
The rain came down and the floods came up. (repeat multiple times)
And the house on the rock stood firm!
The foolish man built his house upon the sand. (repeat multiple times)
The rains came down and the floods rose up, (repeat multiple times)
And the house on the sand went splat!
Several years ago, as I was leading this song, the depth of the message dawned upon me. Yes, it was related to Christ as my foundation for salvation but it also could be applied to my life and ministry in general. I took the time to extract the principle of the song as it related specifically to my discipleship ministry.
In this simple children’s song, I made some observations which I transformed into guidelines for establishing my ministry values. I asked myself a few basic questions such as…Where should I begin? What should be the foundation? Do values shift over time or are they constant?
If you find yourself asking these questions you are in good company. I have discovered these are common questions among ministry leaders. Wrestling with and applying these guidelines will not necessarily simplify your life. The benefit will be realized as created priorities help you live life and minister intentionally.
Based on my interaction with ministry leaders I offer the following five guidelines for Establishing Value-Centered Discipleship Ministries.
- Establish your own personal biblical values first. Leaders should lead from the front; just pointing the way or talking about what they read in a book is not an option.
- Live what you say you believe. You do not have to be perfect or have every discipline “nailed down” but at least be actively engaged in the things you are teaching.
- Create a climate where “being” is more important than “doing.” Building lives and ministries from the inside out will produce sustainable long-term effects.
- Organize an accountability system. The discipleship accountability system should include both discipler on disciplee as well as peer on peer components.
- Teach the truth of the Word. I know this sounds like a “no-brainer,” but often we get more caught up with program than biblical principles. In order to keep a Value-Centered ministry growing, there must be a strong commitment to Biblical principles and teaching.
The basic decision we need to make about Value-Centered Discipleship Ministry is clearly defined in the children’s song referenced earlier. Will we build on the sand or on the rock?
