Disciple-Making Movements:
History in the Making

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For years I have been increasingly fascinated and encouraged by the exponential growth of robust communities of disciples who multiply. Learning about what God is doing in many millions of lives in thousands of different areas and contexts has taken me to online and printed resources, as well as abroad to see first-hand. And I'm seeing both church history and world history in the making. Here is a tour and key resources.

Disciple Making Movements (DMMs) are emerging worldwide that involve a God-size vision ('end-vision'), a clear pathway, and simple biblically consistent tools to fulfill the Great Commission in ways conventional mission won't.

"When there is a move of God, disciples are rapidly multiplying, and thousands … are coming into the kingdom in a short amount of time through ordinary disciples passionately obeying Christ and boldly spreading the gospel everywhere they go … that is what we call a new DMM."

Here are some recent statistics courtesy of the '24:14' network of movement catalysts. Bottom line: DMMs have produced more than 100 million new disciples of Jesus in the past few decades, with sustained exponential growth rates. And these new disciples are strong, courageous, equipped, and fruitful even in tough contexts where they face severe persecution.

This page offers an excellent overview that includes this brief appetizer video:

And here's a 90-minute all-purpose introduction:

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Drill Down:

It Starts with God,
so Abide in God's Heart

"You have to start at the foundation by abiding in Christ (John 15:5, Psalm 78:72, Matthew 11:12, 17:20). Those that bear fruit are those that abide. There is no way around it."

'The Brutal Facts'

Current church growth and missionary methods aren't accompishing God's vision for the peoples of the earth.

Movement Principles

These are the same worldwide, but always require adaptation in local contexts.

Features and Contrasts

Paul Huyghebaert: "It is not the climate of the culture, but rather the climate of the Church in those regions, that has paved the way for movement." This means traditional churches play a significant role in spiritual support.

The Seven (Sacrificial) Sails

Only God can start and sustain movements, so disciple-making depends on the Holy Spirit. But as a sailboat needs its sails up so the wind overcomes its inertia and the water's drag, so God calls and equips disciple-makers to be ready to move when the Spirit blows. These are the so-called 'seven sails' of disciple-making movements.

Action Steps

Pray; learn and discern; train and practice; coach.

A Helpful Training Series

An hour-long playlist from disciple-makers in east Africa.

Opportunities for Traditional Churches

What might conventional churches have to do with New Testament-style movements without buildings, seminary-educated clergy, extensive programming, or budgets?

Training

Places for further training and coaching in disciple-making.

Further Resources

Want to learn more?