It is echoing in boardrooms and church basements alike: “Well, you know, 20% of the people do 80% of the work.” Heads nod. Shoulders slump. It’s said like gravity: unchangeable, universal, and quietly depressing. 

The 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, gets tossed around like it’s scripture. But here’s the thing … it’s not. And while it might be helpful in understanding business trends or productivity hacks, I’ve got a nagging question I can’t shake: Does the 80/20 rule have any place in the Kingdom of God? Or are we just so used to spiritual underperformance that we’ve baptized dysfunction?

The Pareto Principle was named after Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, who observed in the late 1800s that 80% of Italy’s land was owned by just 20% of the people. Over time, this pattern showed up in all kinds of systems:

• 20% of customers generate 80% of revenue,
• 20% of problems cause 80% of breakdowns, and so on. 

It became a law of efficiency—and eventually, a mindset. 

Unfortunately, this mindset didn’t stay in boardrooms and productivity books. It crept into how we think about leadership, ministry, and even the Kingdom of God. Somewhere along the way, we started acting like God was satisfied with 20% of His people doing 80% of the work. 

And it’s not just in the Church. 

You can see it in society too … a small minority of believers engaging culture, leading businesses, shaping education, influencing government or media, while the rest stay on the sidelines. But here’s the thing: Jesus didn’t call 20% of His followers to be salt and light. He called all of us.

The Problem: When 20% Carry What God Gave to 100%

Here’s where things get uncomfortable. Most churches, ministries, businesses, even Christian-led organizations are built on the energy and consistency of a faithful few. A small core shows up early, stays late, gives generously, serves sacrificially, and carries the burden for the mission. And everyone else? They cheer them on… from the pews, from the sidelines, or from somewhere way back in the email list.

We’ve accepted this imbalance as normal because it feels inevitable. It’s measurable. It’s “just how things go.” But what if this isn’t an operational issue it’s a discipleship issue? What if the 80% isn’t disengaged because they don’t care, but because no one ever taught them that their voice, their role, their calling actually matters? That the Kingdom isn’t just something you attend on Sundays. It’s something you bring into every sphere of life, every day of the week!

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few…” – Luke 10:2

But here’s the twist: it’s not because God didn’t call enough laborers. It’s because we stopped raising them.

The 80/20 rule isn’t just a reflection of human nature, it’s a wake-up call to the Body of Christ. We’ve trained people to spectate instead of activate. We’ve made following Jesus more about consumption than commission. And that’s not the Kingdom. That’s a club.

A Kingdom Contrast: Every Joint Supplies

The Kingdom of God was never designed to run on a Pareto Principle. That’s not a jab at math or management. It’s just not how the Body of Christ functions. Jesus didn’t come to build a spiritual pyramid scheme where the top 20% carry the weight and the rest coast on grace fumes. He came to build a Body and in a body, every part matters.

“From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” – Ephesians 4:16

That doesn’t sound like 20%. That sounds like everyone.

When Paul writes about the Church, he doesn’t describe a hierarchy. He describes a living system where every person has a unique role, function, and supply. One joint strengthens the next. One part feeds the other. Growth happens not because of a gifted few, but because of a mobilized many. That’s the math of the Kingdom.

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” – 1 Corinthians 12:7
“You are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” – 1 Corinthians 12:27

You may not be on stage, but you’re not off the hook.
You may not have a mic, but you have a message.
You may not run a ministry, but you carry the Kingdom.

This isn’t poetic language. It’s God’s design for a world-changing movement. And yet, the 80/20 rule keeps showing up because we’ve replaced participation with programming. We made it easier to fill seats than to equip saints.

Jesus Didn’t Disciple the 20%

If anyone had a reason to play favorites or work the numbers, it was Jesus. He could’ve easily zeroed in on Peter, James, and John (the inner circle) and just hoped the rest would catch up. But He didn’t. He invested in all twelve. He rebuked all twelve. He washed all twelve feet, even Judas’. He gave every single one of them access, instruction, correction, and mission.

Jesus didn’t build a team of superstars. He made disciples … ordinary people who became Kingdom carriers.

And it didn’t stop with the Twelve. In Luke 10, He sends out seventy-two not just the elite. Not just the seminary-trained. Everyday disciples who had walked with Him long enough to know: “I’ve received something that I now must give away.”

“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him…” – Luke 10:1

Let that sink in. Jesus didn’t say, “Let’s keep this small and manageable. We’ll stick with the top 20%.”

He said, “Let’s multiply. Let’s mobilize. Let’s send.”

That’s discipleship. It’s not about filtering down to the few, it’s about equipping the many.

And here’s the key: He didn’t send them with everything figured out. He sent them with what they had. Because the Kingdom isn’t built by perfection it’s built by obedience.

The 80/20 rule says “leave it to the high performers.”

Jesus says, “Follow Me and I’ll make you something more.”

The 1 Million Discipled Vision: Shifting the Standard

At SheepFeast, we’re not trying to squeeze more effort out of the top 20%. We’re building a global movement to awaken, equip, and release the other 80%. Because in the Kingdom of God, there is no “bench.” Everyone has a place. Everyone has a part. Discipleship is not for the elite. It’s for the willing.

That’s the heart behind the 1 Million Discipled vision. Not just one million followers. Not one million clicks or likes. One million disciples: activated, multiplying, and carrying the Kingdom into every corner of society:

• Into boardrooms and break rooms
• Into classrooms and construction sites
• Into local churches, creative industries, nonprofits, and nations

We are saying become “One for 1 Million”, because it starts small with one person who says yes. One person who refuses to be sidelined. One person who wakes up and realizes: “I was made to make disciples, not just attend services.”

This isn’t just theology. It’s a strategy. Through the Farmwork platform, we’re helping ministries and businesses train their people. Through The 70, we’re creating community and equipping Kingdom entrepreneurs, pastors, and pioneers. Through the Dennis & Glenda Rowan Scholarship, we’re unlocking discipleship training and tools for leaders in developing nations. Every part of the vision is pushing in the same direction:

100% activation. 100% participation. 1 million transformed lives.

And here’s the beautiful thing: when you disciple one, you’re never just reaching one. You’re reaching the ones they will reach.

“And the things you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful people who will be able to teach others also.”– 2 Timothy 2:2

That’s not 80/20. That’s exponential.

What If the Church Broke the 80/20 Rule?

Imagine a Church not just a local congregation, but the global Body of Christ where every believer saw themselves as a Kingdom agent. Where no one sat back thinking, “That’s not my job.” Where spiritual gifts weren’t stored in attics, but put to work in the harvest.

What if discipleship wasn’t a ministry department but a movement?

What if every believer:

• Knew who they were in Christ
• Understood their assignment
• Was equipped to walk in power, love, and clarity
• Actually believed they’re called to make other disciples?

The 80/20 rule would collapse under the weight of obedience.
The 20% wouldn’t burn out; they’d multiply.
The 80% wouldn’t spectate; they’d step into the fields white for harvest.

“Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” – John 4:35

The question isn’t whether the Kingdom needs more laborers.
Jesus already answered that: yes.
The question is: will we make them?

At SheepFeast, we believe the answer is also yes.

That’s why we’re going after 1 Million Discipled. Because 20% isn’t enough. Because Jesus didn’t die for part-time participation. Because the Church was never meant to operate under worldly logic. It was meant to function in supernatural unity, where every joint supplies.

The Kingdom doesn’t run on Pareto’s principle.
It runs on purpose.
And you’ve got one.

You Are Called. Take Action: From Observation to Transformation

The 80/20 rule might explain what we see.
But it should never define what we settle for.

The Kingdom of God isn’t built by a faithful few. It’s built when every believer realizes, “I carry something the world needs.”

It’s time to stop applauding the 20% and start activating the 100%.

You don’t have to be a pastor to make disciples.
You don’t need a mic or a ministry title.
You just need a yes.

So here’s the question: Are You One?

Are you one for 1 million and beyond? Will you be the one in your workplace, your family, your circle who stops spectating and starts making disciples?

Will you help break the cycle of spiritual passivity and become part of a global movement to see 1 million disciples equipped and released?

Join the movement at 1MillionDiscipled.com.

Become a disciple who makes disciples.

Let’s rewrite the story—from 80/20 to every joint supplying.

You’re not just needed.
You’re called.
Let’s go!

The post Does the 80/20 Rule Belong in the Kingdom of God? appeared first on SheepFeast.

The Origin Story

Brett Johnson began his career at Price Waterhouse in Cape Town, South Africa believing he was called to work there. (He never interviewed anywhere else.) At the same time he was on the Associate Staff for Youth for Christ and led a local Sunday School. Shortly after he and Lyn got married they found themselves leading a local church. The obvious question was, “Should I leave Price Waterhouse and go ‘full time’ in the church?” There was no positive answer on this, so Brett found himself with two jobs and had to figure out how to make both work. He then began consulting to Youth with a Mission (YWAM) using the business consulting frameworks he learned at PWC. 

Brett saw that these three worlds–local church, business, missions–had lots to offer each other, but the secular-sacred dichotomy kept the three worlds different. Back in 1981 he became passionate about the abolition of dichotomy having witnessed its disastrous consequences for the Body of Christ and the huge benefits of an integrated life.

Joseph didn’t pause his faith when managing Egypt’s economy. Daniel didn’t hide his spirituality while advising kings. Nehemiah didn’t build walls without first building trust in God. For these leaders, there was no divide. 

Neither should there be for you.

Business as Ministry (And Why It Matters)

Years later Brett and Lyn started taking teams to the nations to “repurpose business” by applying the principles of integrated living. The premise was simple yet profound: discipleship can—and should—happen at work. Brett saw businesses as untapped platforms for discipleship provided disciple-making was integrated into core business processes, and not an add-on program. Not preaching sermons at lunch breaks, but creating both a culture where faith is lived authentically and business processes that reveal the ways of God.

So in 1996, Brett created The Institute for Innovation, Integration & Impact, Inc. The mission: Repurposing leaders and corporations to discover and walk out their callings so that they live lives of purpose and societies are transformed. Brett launched initiatives like “rēp” (Repurposing Business), showing entrepreneurs and mid-market companies how to get their businesses into God’s business and how they can make disciples through their business processes.

Introducing Bizcipleship

Today, Brett takes this vision further in his upcoming book, Bizcipleship. He poses a provocative question:

“Most of us spend the bulk of our waking hours at work. If discipleship isn’t happening there, where is it happening?”

This question should shake every entrepreneur awake. Your business isn’t just about your bottom line—it’s about people, culture, and legacy. Brett calls this new way of working “Bizcipleship,” and it’s transforming workplaces worldwide.

The Big Shift

For Christian entrepreneurs, Brett’s story offers a pivotal insight:

“Our goal is not to get God into business, but to get businesses into God’s business.”

Tools like SheepFeast’s Farmwork make this vision practical. Farmwork equips entrepreneurs to intentionally cultivate spiritual growth, disciple teams, and build companies where faith isn’t an afterthought—it’s foundational.

The Invitation

Brett’s journey is your invitation. Your business isn’t separate from your calling—it is your calling. Every interaction, every decision, every moment is an opportunity for discipleship. Business isn’t just your marketplace; it’s your mission field.

Ask yourself:

What would happen if my business fully embraced Kingdom impact?

The answer might change everything.

Learn More

Discover Brett Johnson’s transformative approach to faith and business at brettjohnson.biz.

The post How One Entrepreneur Stumbled Into A Game-Changing Discipleship Model appeared first on SheepFeast.

Why?

Because He chose discipleship over popularity. Transformation over transactions. He rejected quick wins in favor of deep, lasting impact.

The Jesus Model: Depth Over Breadth

Most modern businesses measure success by volume—more customers, more sales, more followers. But Jesus measured success differently: by transformed lives, lasting relationships, and empowered followers.

He intentionally invested in just a few people, pouring deeply into their lives. The result? Those few disciples became multipliers, carrying His message further than one person alone ever could.

Imagine if entrepreneurs today adopted this approach. Imagine prioritizing depth in relationships, genuine mentorship, and transformative discipleship over shallow numbers.

Transformational Leadership: What Did Jesus Do Differently?

Jesus didn’t create passive followers. He empowered active disciples.

• He listened deeply: He understood the fears, dreams, and struggles of those around him.
• He led humbly: He served first, demonstrating leadership through authentic humility and sacrifice.
• He equipped intentionally: He taught principles, modeled behaviors, and then stepped aside to let his followers lead.

Jesus showed that leadership isn’t about controlling people—it’s about releasing potential. It’s not about scaling quickly; it’s about planting seeds that bear fruit for generations.

Why It Matters in Your Business

Imagine if your business reflected this same mindset. What if your workplace wasn’t just a place for transactions but a community where genuine discipleship thrives? Employees wouldn’t just clock in and out; they would find purpose, meaning, and real transformation.

Your business, when infused with this deeper purpose, becomes more resilient, innovative, and impactful—because it’s no longer just about profits. It becomes about people.

Introducing The 70: Your Community for Kingdom Impact

This is exactly why SheepFeast’s The 70 exists. It’s a community for Christian entrepreneurs who want more than traditional success. It’s for leaders who are ready to adopt Jesus’ model—leaders ready to disciple, mentor, and create lasting Kingdom impact through their businesses.

The 70 provides the tools, resources, and community to help you rethink business leadership. You’re not alone in this journey—you’re part of a growing movement committed to transforming the marketplace by following Jesus’ revolutionary example.

Your Invitation

The question isn’t whether discipleship belongs in your business—it’s whether your business can thrive without it. Jesus’ leadership was radical, countercultural, and revolutionary. It still is today.

So, reflect:

What might change in your business if you truly embraced Jesus’ leadership style?

Join the Movement

Explore how you can practically implement Jesus’ discipleship model in your business by connecting with other visionary entrepreneurs in The 70.

The post  Jesus’ Surprising Leadership Style (And Why Your Business Needs It) appeared first on SheepFeast.

In today's rapidly changing world, the Church's mission remains timeless: to make disciples of all nations. Yet, startling statistics reveal that only 4% of churches in America actively engage in discipleship, while a staggering 96% do not. This begs the question—where does your church stand?

The Great Commission: Our Mandate

The foundation of discipleship is rooted in Jesus' command in Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV): "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

This passage, known as the Great Commission, is the Church’s primary mission. Yet, many churches struggle to fulfill this call effectively. According to a study by The Barna Group, only 4% of churches in the United States prioritize making disciples. The remaining 96% may focus on other aspects of ministry, but often fall short in this critical area.

Dallas Willard

Francis Chan via Theology in the Raw

John Piper via Christianity.com

The post Is Your Church Part of the 4% or 96%?  appeared first on SheepFeast.

As discipleship becomes more crucial in today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world, churches are increasingly looking to technology to support their mission of making disciples. Here at SheepFeast, we’re all about helping churches thrive in this area (and, if we’re being totally honest, we think our platform is top-notch!). But we recognize that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to discipleship software. Every church has unique needs, and the right tool for one congregation might be different for another.

In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the top discipleship software options available today. While we might be slightly biased toward SheepFeast’s offerings (we do think we’ve nailed the perfect blend of e-learning, community building, and church management), we believe each platform has its own strengths and special features that make it worth considering.

So, whether you’re looking for something focused on community engagement, Bible study integration, or just a straightforward way to manage discipleship programs, we’ve got you covered with this list of options. Let’s dive into the world of discipleship software and find the best fit for your church or ministry!

Breeze

Overall Rating: 4.8/5

Breeze offers a streamlined platform that simplifies church management. With tools to track members, manage groups, and foster discipleship, Breeze focuses on making administration more accessible.

Pros:

• Affordable pricing
• Very easy to use and set up
• Excellent for small to medium-sized churches

Cons:

• Lacks advanced customization options
• May not scale well for larger churches

Church Community Builder

Overall Rating: 4.1/5

Church Community Builder provides robust church management solutions, helping organize discipleship programs and small group connections. The platform emphasizes community building.

Pros:

• Strong community-building features
• Advanced discipleship tracking tools
• Comprehensive small group management

Cons:

• Steep learning curve for new users
• Pricing may be high for smaller churches

ChurchTrac

Overall Rating: 4.8/5

ChurchTrac combines discipleship management with tools to track church members, organize events, and handle administrative tasks. It’s an affordable option for smaller churches.

Pros:

• Budget-friendly
• Strong focus on member engagement
• Easy to use

Cons:

• Basic design and limited customization
• Not as feature-rich as higher-end platforms

Elexio

Overall Rating: 4.2/5

Elexio offers an all-in-one church management platform, with tools for discipleship, group management, and communication. It’s designed to handle both spiritual and administrative needs.

Pros:

• Versatile and feature-rich
• Strong discipleship and community growth tools
• All-in-one solution for church management

Cons:

• Not the most intuitive interface
• Can be expensive for smaller congregations

Faithlife

Overall Rating: 4.1/5

Faithlife integrates Bible study with church management, offering a variety of tools to support discipleship, teaching, and community engagement. It stands out for its Bible software integration.

Pros:

• Seamless Bible study integration
• Robust tools for teaching and community engagement
• Great for Bible-focused ministries

Cons:

• Church management features are less comprehensive than other platforms
• Can feel overwhelming with its numerous tools

Planning Center

Overall Rating: 4.7/5

Planning Center offers a suite of tools to manage services, small groups, and communication, with a focus on tracking discipleship progress.

Pros:

• Highly customizable
• Great for service planning and small group management
• User-friendly interface

Cons:

• Feature overload can be overwhelming for smaller churches
• Pricing can be high for churches needing only basic features

Pushpay

Overall Rating: 4.3/5

Pushpay provides a comprehensive church management platform, with features for engagement, giving, and discipleship. It emphasizes user-friendly tools to connect with congregations.

Pros:

• Easy to use and navigate
• focus on church engagement and giving
• Excellent mobile app

Cons:

• High cost, especially for smaller churches
• Discipleship tools are not as robust as engagement and giving tools

Realm

Overall Rating: 4.4/5

Realm is a cloud-based system that helps churches manage discipleship, communication, member engagement, and financial administration, providing a well-rounded management solution.

Pros:

• Fully integrated church management platform
• Comprehensive communication and engagement tools
• Cloud-based accessibility

Cons:

• Higher price point for smaller churches
• Can be over-complicated for basic discipleship needs

Tithe.ly

Overall Rating: 4.7/5

Tithe.ly integrates church management with giving tools and engagement features, offering additional support for discipleship programs.

Pros:

• Easy-to-use giving tools
• Focuses on simplifying church engagement
• Affordable for small to medium-sized churches

Cons:

• Discipleship features are basic compared to other platforms
• Limited customization options

SheepFeast

Overall Rating: 4.8/5

SheepFeast is designed specifically to help churches make disciples, focusing on e-learning, community building, and effective discipleship management through its CRM tools.

Pros:

• Strong focus on e-learning and community building
• Excellent CRM features tailored for discipleship
• Comprehensive support for managing discipleship programs

Cons:

• Niche focus may not appeal to churches with broader management needs
• Lacks broader financial management tools found in other platforms

We're Here to Help!

With so many excellent discipleship software options available, churches today have more tools than ever to engage their congregations, manage discipleship programs, and foster spiritual growth. Each platform offers something unique, whether it's streamlined church management, Bible study integration, or robust community-building features. The key is finding the one that aligns with your church’s specific needs and goals.

At SheepFeast, we’re passionate about making discipleship easier and more effective for churches of all sizes. Our platform is designed to help you lead your flock with tools that foster genuine community, track spiritual growth, and deliver powerful e-learning experiences—all in one place.

If you’re looking for a solution that’s tailor-made for churches and ministries, we invite you to see what SheepFeast can do for your congregation. Book a demo today and discover how our platform can help you grow disciples, streamline communication, and build thriving communities. Let’s work together to feed and tend your sheep, just as Jesus commanded.

BOOK SHEEPFEAST DEMO

*Software ratings from SoftwareAdvice.com, Trust Pilot, Capterra, G2

The post Top 10 Discipleship Software Solutions for Churches & Ministries appeared first on SheepFeast.

A Follower of Christ

A disciple is first and foremost a follower of Christ. Jesus calls us to follow Him, not just in word but in action. In Matthew 16:24, Jesus says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” This call to discipleship requires a commitment to live as Jesus lived, embracing His teachings, and putting them into practice in every aspect of life.

Being a follower of Christ isn’t passive. It’s an active pursuit of His will, seeking to embody His love, grace, and truth in our daily lives. This requires surrendering our own desires and ambitions to follow the path that Jesus lays out for us.

A Learner and Student

The word “disciple” comes from the Greek word mathētēs, which means “learner” or “student.” In this sense, a disciple is someone who is constantly learning from Jesus. This learning isn’t limited to acquiring knowledge; it involves growing in wisdom, understanding, and spiritual maturity. Jesus emphasizes this in Matthew 11:29, where He says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

A disciple learns by immersing themselves in the teachings of Jesus, as found in Scripture, and allowing those teachings to shape their thoughts, actions, and character. It is a lifelong process of transformation, guided by the Holy Spirit, as we strive to become more like Christ.

A Disciple-Maker

Discipleship isn’t just about personal growth; it’s also about making disciples of others. Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 commands us to, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

This directive highlights that a true disciple not only follows and learns from Jesus but also takes on the responsibility of teaching and guiding others in their faith journey. Discipleship is a multiplication process—those who have been transformed by Jesus are called to help others experience that same transformation.

A Servant and Witness

In addition to being a follower, learner, and disciple-maker, a disciple is also a servant and witness. Jesus modeled servanthood throughout His ministry, stating in Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” A disciple is called to serve others with humility, putting their needs above our own and reflecting the love of Christ in tangible ways.

Furthermore, a disciple is a witness to the world. Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” As disciples, we are called to testify to the life-changing power of Jesus in our own lives and share that testimony with others.

A Life of Sacrifice and Commitment

Finally, being a disciple requires sacrifice and unwavering commitment. In Luke 9:23, Jesus says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” This is a call to die to ourselves, to give up our comforts, desires, and even our lives if necessary, for the sake of Christ and His kingdom.

This level of commitment is not easy, but it is the essence of true discipleship. The apostle Paul exemplified this in his own life, writing in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Wrapping It Up…

In defining a disciple, we see that it involves much more than simply believing in Jesus. A disciple is a follower, a learner, a disciple-maker, a servant, and a witness. It is someone who is fully committed to living out the teachings of Jesus, serving others, and helping others to grow in their faith. Discipleship is a journey of transformation, marked by sacrifice, perseverance, and the pursuit of Christlikeness. As we seek to live as disciples, let us remember Jesus’ promise in John 8:31-32: “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

The post What is a disciple, anyway? appeared first on SheepFeast.

In a thought-provoking episode of Barna Group’s ChurchPulse Weekly podcast, Carey Nieuwhof sat down with renowned speaker and author Lisa Bevere to discuss the evolving nature of discipleship over the past five years. The conversation shed light on critical issues within the church, ranging from the role of women to the growing trend of spiritual privatization and the rise of digital discipleship. Here are some key takeaways from their discussion and how they impact the church today.

The Crisis in Discipleship

One of the most eye-opening points Bevere highlighted is the current crisis in discipleship. Only 36% of Christians believe that one-on-one discipleship is very important for spiritual growth, revealing a significant shift in how believers approach their spiritual journey. Additionally, 56% of Christians consider their spiritual lives entirely private, showing a departure from the communal aspects of faith that once defined Christian life. This shift has created a crisis within the church, where people are more isolated in their faith and disconnected from the rich, relational fabric that true discipleship requires.

Bevere pointed out, “We’ve adopted the wrong [discipleship] pattern. The pastor says, ‘Come to church and I’ll disciple you.’ We didn’t necessarily let people in the church disciple others. … This really limits our ability to reach people on a widespread level.” Discipleship has long been a relational, life-on-life process, and relegating it to the pulpit undermines the broader community's role in mentoring and guiding others in their faith walk.

Deconstructing Without Destroying

In addressing the challenges that younger generations face, Bevere discussed the balance between deconstructing faith and destroying it altogether. Many young Christians are questioning traditional church structures, which is not inherently negative, but Bevere warns that there is a fine line between healthy critique and total destruction.

“The next generation knows that God has his hand on their life for something, but they don’t know what that thing is. … They’re becoming critics instead of constructors,” Bevere noted. This generation, she argues, is called to prophecy—to speak under divine inspiration—but often falls into the trap of tearing down without rebuilding. Deconstruction can be valuable, but it needs to be paired with the construction of something meaningful and grounded in truth.

Women and the Church

Women, in particular, face unique challenges and opportunities in discipleship. Bevere shared that 47% of Christian women report being distracted during their time with God, compared to 40% of men. Moreover, 73% of Christian women have been hurt by someone they deeply trusted, a much higher percentage than their male counterparts (56%). These statistics highlight the deep emotional and spiritual wounds that women carry into their faith journey, and the church must provide spaces where healing, mentoring, and real connection can occur.

Bevere emphasized that women are not just looking for spiritual platitudes; they want to know how to live out their faith in the everyday messiness of life. This calls for a discipleship model that is authentic, transparent, and deeply rooted in lived experience. “The greatest platform you and I will ever live on is our lives,” Bevere said, underscoring the need for mentors who are not just preaching from a stage but living out their faith in real, visible ways.

Digital Discipleship: A Starting Point, Not the End

As churches increasingly embrace digital platforms for discipleship, Bevere offered a critical perspective: while digital discipleship is a valuable tool, it should only serve as an entrance, not the endpoint, for spiritual growth. “Digital discipleship should be an entrance, not an end place for people to grow in their walk with Christ,” she explained.

The digital world offers convenience and access, but real, deep discipleship happens in the context of relationships and shared life experiences. The challenge for churches moving forward is to ensure that their digital efforts lead to in-person community and discipleship, where the messiness and beauty of real relationships can occur.

Conclusion: Reimagining Discipleship

Lisa Bevere’s insights are a clarion call for the church to reimagine how it approaches discipleship in today’s culture. There is a need to empower individuals within the church to disciple others, to balance critique with construction, and to provide sacred spaces for healing and growth, particularly for women who have faced hurt and distraction in their spiritual journeys.

In a time when digital discipleship is gaining traction, we must remember that the ultimate goal is relational discipleship—life-on-life mentoring that goes beyond screens and Sunday sermons. As Bevere reminds us, the greatest discipleship platform is our lives, lived out in authentic faith, vulnerability, and accountability.

As churches continue to adapt to changing cultural tides, these conversations challenge us to rethink how we make disciples in an age of distraction, disconnection, and digital convenience.

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It’s as if the harvesters came through and found only a small fraction of the fruit each tree was expected to bear. Upon closer inspection they realized that what was lost was diseased and what remained was in danger of becoming too damaged to grow or nourish anyone. In its current condition, the majority of the fruit that remained would be unable to reproduce.

What happened is not a result of the gardener not trying or caring. Pastors and church leaders care deeply and put in long hours for those in the church. And it’s that type of loving-commitment that makes the results all the more frustrating.

Church leaders who have seen so many fall away are deeply discouraged, exhausted, and questioning their call. Most want to quit. This in-between season hasn’t been easy, but perhaps it’s bringing clarity to mistakes of the past and ushering in needed change.

What mistakes? Typically, churches make four mistakes when trying to make disciples who make disciples. These mistakes prevent healthy disciples from growing and contribute to a culture that inhibits Jesus-style disciple making.

Mistake #1 Discipling to Help the Organization First instead of the Individual First

Many pastors start disciple making efforts because they are trying to solve an organizational problem. They see a need for small group leaders and Sunday volunteers. When churches grow these needs get greater and greater. They need more leaders and fast. For many, discipleship looks like the solution that will scale as quickly as their church is growing. Unfortunately for them, disciple making tends to resist systematic approaches and high control settings.

Jesus focused on people, not organizations. When he looked out at the crowds He wept because they were harassed and helpless (Matthew 9:36-38). He shed tears because he cared for individuals before institutions. He was burdened by the need, but instead of finding programs, He searched for pray-ers. He asked His disciples to pray for workers to meet the need, then continued training them to be those workers. His approach was individual and slow. He prepared them to go out, they went, then they came back to report and to be trained further. Their needs and their development were more important than meeting the needs of the masses.

Initially, it left the need unmet. His way would eventually allow the average person to be helped and then pass on to others. His target was their becoming and flourishing, not just knowing.

Mistake #2 Emphasizing Discipleship Programs instead of Discipleship Relationships

Not all programs are unhelpful, but most churches carry out their discipleship plans programmatically instead of relationally. It’s a twelve-month micro-group, bound by a covenant to lead one after you’ve experienced one, and driven by content-heavy curriculum. They produce some results, but not the kind that reproduces over the long-term. After a few generations, these non-relational groups (and the momentum they’ve generated) fall in on themselves; the result of building without a foundation.

Jesus-style disciple making is primarily relational. At the risk of being obvious, relationships are relational. Relationships are more important than curriculum. When relationships lead, then discipleship feels relational. Learning is secondary to obeying. Much like Jesus’ invitation to the twelve, they come together to “be with,” but are sent out to make a difference in the uniqueness of their lives.

Mistake #3 Discipling Methods that Make Individual Design Peripheral

When scale and efficiency are paramount then individual design is deemphasized. The curriculum is the plan for everyone regardless of age, ethnicity, spiritual maturity, or gifting. This one-sized-fits-all approach to disciple making is dehumanizing. And it doesn’t work. Instead of developing disciples en masse, these disciple making systems make some disciples while alienating and injuring others.

Of all places the church should value individual gifting and design. The church is the body of Christ. We serve different functions towards the same goal (making disciples). A person who is gifted as a teacher will make (reach) different disciples than someone gifted as in hospitality or mercy. The various spiritual gifts shold be used in unique ways towards the same end. Yet discipleship curriculum is unable to train individuals sufficiently, precisely because curriculum is written to a common denominator.

Mistake #4 Discipling Methods that Make Personal Presence Optional

When disciple making focuses on content rather than character then presence becomes optional. The internet will never be a sufficient substitute for presence. Yet, there are many churches and disciple making organizations who believe that an online course, master class, or zoom cohort will make a disciple maker. There’s certainly a way to leverage technology in disciple making, but it should never be seen as a replacement for presence.

God sent Jesus to be with us.

In. The. Flesh.

That was important to Him. He didn’t wait until we’d developed the internet to send a sermon, book, video series, or other non-incarnational means to deliver the Good News. He sent Jesus as a human because relationship is important to Him, and so is presence.

Life on life ministry allows a disciple maker to observe what the disciple is unwilling or unable to communicate. “Blind spot“ character issues can be seen when time is spent together. Virtual disciple making can never provide such depth.

Disciple making that makes disciple makers long-term is that which starts small and goes slow. That’s hard for pastors and other church leaders to hear.

Churches have been making these disciple making mistakes for decades. And many still are! It’s understandable because that’s the way consumerism has taught us. Unfortunately it doesn’t work with disciple making. Yet, the pandemic is showing these consumeristic approaches for what they are, inadequate alternatives to the real thing.

Originally posted on JustinGravitt.com.
Justin Gravitt is Dayton (Ohio) Area Director for Navigator Church Ministries. Check out his blog, One Disciple to Another, where this post first appeared. Also, don’t miss his podcast, The Practitioners’ Podcast.

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Culture is the environment where something thrives or fails. A church’s culture is made up of beliefs, practices, habits and history (or perception of history). These shape common behaviours throughout a group of people, influencing ideologies and personalities.

Many of us think disciples are made by the programmes that we run within our church community, but this is not the reality. The battle of discipleship is lost and won in your church culture. There may be engagement with fundamental teaching and courses but if the culture that they are in isn’t a discipleship-making culture, they will struggle to thrive. An important core principle of an apprenticeship culture in any sphere is a strong foundation of coaching reinforced by regular feedback to help the apprentice develop into a qualified ‘craftsman’ and, in many cases, a future leader.

This holds true within a disciple culture; discipleship is highly relational, highly engaging, and requires high levels of trust and support.

A course is only as good as the culture that it is taught and shared in.

Within our leadership role, we clearly shape the culture by our behaviour – we communicate what’s valuable by the way we act. If we want to shape our culture, then we need to relentlessly be communicating these values in as many ways as possible. When time and resources are short we default to processes and programmes in our rush to get the job done, but in doing so we can neglect the hard and important work of culture building.

Until our gatherings focus more on equipping the saints with Christ’s toolkit, we will continue to struggle to make disciples. If we focus our time on shaping a mind but not also connecting the heart with the hands, then we are missing the whole life of a disciple.

To learn more about a discipleship culture we would love to encourage you to read “Leading and Shaping a Discipleship Culture: Six Essential Shifts for Creating a Culture of Biblical Discipleship” copies can be purchased from here.

Originally posted on WeAreMakingDisciples.com.
Cris Rogers is a Church of England church planter, artist, maker and Star Wars fan. In 2010 Cris and family took on the leadership of All Hallows Bow which had shrunk to seven people and is situated in one of the toughest estates in East London. Cris and his family moved to Tower Hamlets with the desire of restarting the church and seeing people flourish. Cris has a deep passion for discipleship and apprenticeship in the way of Jesus.

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Being Christian is more than a saved soul. Jesus is not only truth for your soul, but for every area of life. A person can give his life to Jesus and still not be Christian even though he has become a Christian. Discipleship is required for a new Christian to become Christian in thought and praxis.

An unbeliever can be Christian in thought and action and not be born again. Just the same a born again believer, can be more Buddhist or atheist in worldview and life style than Christian.

To be Christian in life is to be living out that which is biblically sourced theology. Much of our modern cultural way of life is not biblically derived. Praxis comes from worldview and worldview has an origin point.

The Christian worldview originates from biblical theology – not simply a Bible verse – but application of sometimes centuries of applied theology based on biblical starting points.

For instance, in our Declaration of Independence Jefferson wrote “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal and they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. . .” Benjamin Franklin had edited Jefferson’s first draft which read “We hold these Truths to be sacred. . .” not Self-Evident. Equality has never been self-evident. Nature does not teach us equality. Equality, unalienable rights, these are from the Christian worldview. Even though Christians throughout history, including American history, have not always thought this way or acted according to this truth – the truth is only found from within Christian theology.

The Christian worldview encompasses and informs theology on marriage, family, gender, government, nations, justice, economics, personal finances, babies, children, education, burial practices, pets, business, agriculture, taxes, vocation, death, life, the earth, the foreigner, nations, borders, etc.

To be Christian is to think and behave within the context of a Christian worldview. To be a Christian is to be born again trusting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. However, these two should be one. The former should develop through discipleship and mentorship of a new believer. Thinking and behaving like a Christian is not returning to the law of sin and death, but what it looks like to have a new nature prone to righteousness.

Without Christian discipleship you basically have saved unbelievers thinking they are living the Christian life when they are still emerged in the way of life which is not Christian.

What we want is the whole package of truth applied to our entire life. Jesus matters not just to our souls but to our everyday living in every way conceivable.

In so doing, He made sure we had His written revelation (the Bible) and His Holy Spirit so that we could have the glory of kings to search out His truth in Word and Spirit manifesting the Kingdom of God to every area of life.

Originally posted on KarlaPerry.com
Karla Perry, worldview revitalizer, author of Back to the Future: Rebuilding America’s Stability, and her new release, The Reformation of America, is an avid writer with a penetrating and thought-provoking style. Karla helps people develop healthy worldviews through biblical Kingdom-based thinking. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Old Dominion University where she majored in English and minored in American History. Karla is a co-founder of The Serve Initiative; a think tank and task force organization designed to equip and empower believers for the work of reformation. Karla lives with her husband, Joseph, in Virginia Beach, VA where they pastored for eleven years.

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