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Essay: The Connection Between Discipleship and Leadership
Assignment
Robert Kirby
DSMN500: Discipleship Ministries
March 22, 2024
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Contents
Introduction ………………………....………………………………………………………… 3
Great Commission Leadership ……..………………………………………………………… 3
Comparisons and Contrasts ………………………….…………..…………………………… 5
Healthy Church Discipleship Goals …..……………………………………………………… 5
Ten Leadership Principles ………….…………………………………………………………6
Conclusion ………………………….………………………………………………………….. 8
Bibliography ……………………….………………………………………………………….. 9
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The process of discipleship may display slight variations depending on the specific
church attended by an individual. However, Christians must recognize the presence of a process
supported by biblical references. Alongside the discipleship process, there is also a leadership
process. Christianity distinguishes itself by allowing individuals to assume the roles of both
leader and follower simultaneously. In contrast, secular leadership typically requires individuals
to choose between leading or following. Nevertheless, for Christians, the optimal approach is to
consistently follow Christ and nurture their faith to the extent that they can guide others. This
paper aims to examine the definition of a Christian leader and compare the concept of Christian
leadership as presented in two distinct texts. Furthermore, it aims to assess how the leaders can
be developed while being in the ministry and how they will impact the overall well-being of the
congregation.
Great Commission Leadership
The mandate told within Matthew 28:19 gives us details for all believers to actively
engage in the mission of disseminating the teachings of Christ.1 It is of utmost importance for
churches to integrate this process into their practices, as it confers upon them the duty to foster,
educate, inspire, and serve other disciples, thereby facilitating the growth of the church
community. A church that is devoted to serving Christ should prioritize the cultivation of
disciples, and imparting instructions and commands to others. While the ultimate authority rests
with the leadership of the church within heaven and also here on earth who function as guides for
the church, should also provide support and collaborate with their fellow pastors, drawing upon
the scriptures from the Bible to lead their congregations.
Chuck Smith eloquently conveyed this sentiment when he underscored the significance
of pastors tending to those entrusted to their care, recognizing individuals whom Christ has
1 Unless noted otherwise scripture English Standard Version
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delivered to them to disciple to. This underscores the divine trust bestowed upon the church to
nurture and guide individuals for the expansion of the church community. Therefore, it is our
responsibility to minister to these individuals and offer them guidance, empowering them to
bring more disciples into the church.2
When developing these programs, there are two distinct individuals involved. The initial
category comprises leaders who provide guidance and share their knowledge with a class of any
size. They bear the responsibility of imparting what they already know. The second category
consists of the participants or disciples who engage in the program to acquire knowledge and
improve their skills for their spiritual journey with the Lord. The main difference between these
two categories lies in their primary focus, with one emphasizing spiritual growth and the ability
to educate others. The primary aim of a discipleship program, as mentioned earlier, is to cultivate
a greater number of Christ followers. The overarching goal is to develop additional leaders
within the church. These distinct categories necessitate diverse aspects of personal development.
A proficient leader should exhibit self-assurance and endeavor to emulate the qualities of Jesus.
Dempsey and Earley posit that in order to lead in the manner of Jesus, individuals must
be prepared to make sacrifices in order to nurture the followers of God. Just as there is a
responsibility to care for and support our own families, there is also a duty to support and grow
the church of Jesus. This underscores the importance of setting aside personal wants and needs
for the spiritual growth of the disciples. Conversely, the disciples are urged to establish
consistent spiritual routines in their daily lives. Despite the difficulty, it is crucial to partake in
these practices for the church to progress according to Jesus's vision. Earley and Dempsey
propose that those aspiring to be Jesus's disciples should engage in the same practices that Jesus
2 Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2015).
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himself adhered to. To truly emulate Jesus, one must follow in his footsteps. This forms the
foundation for disciples who are guided by their leaders.
Comparisons and Contrasts
In the realm of secular leadership, the primary aim is to contribute to the prosperity of the
organization, placing a strong emphasis on the organization's welfare. Conversely, Christian
leadership revolves around aiding individuals in their personal growth and development within
the body of Christ. The primary objective is to enhance the overall well-being of the church
community. The fundamental disparity between these two forms of leadership lies in their core
motivations. As stated by Putman et al., A leader is characterized as an individual who provides
direction and support and equips believers to establish a mature community that fosters spiritual
growth. This entails empowering all believers to utilize their unique gifts and talents, creating an
environment where everyone can serve and make disciples. Both secular and Christian
leadership find common ground in their dedication to nurturing the growth of the church and
prioritizing the welfare of the community. Effective leaders must prioritize the church and its
members to facilitate community growth. This necessitates leaders recognizing their pivotal role
in the church, ministering to others, and empowering fellow leaders to mentor a new generation
of leaders within the church.
Healthy Church Discipleship Goals
Implementing a discipleship program in a church involves establishing a community that
embodies the teachings and principles of Jesus Christ. It is vital for each individual to actively
cultivate their relationship with God and commit to serving the church in various roles. This
collaborative endeavor contributes to the church's development and overall health. Johnson
emphasizes that the primary duty of all Christians is to be devoted disciples centered on Christ.
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Therefore, Christian leaders must possess a firm understanding of and participate in traditional
spiritual practices.
Devoted Christians who serve the Lord and our churches require these fundamental
spiritual practices to guide their lives and bear fruit. These practices encompass activities such as
studying the Bible, prayer, evangelism, stewardship, and worship. It is crucial to engage in these
practices within a community rather than in solitude. In small groups, believers come together to
study the Bible, intercede for one another, provide financial and material assistance, and engage
in both collective and personal worship. They also venture out into communities as a group to
collectively spread the Gospel. Whether on a grand or modest scale, discipleship entails living
life in unity and laboring alongside one another to mature in the image of Jesus Christ. As
churches actively participate in these discipleship initiatives, they foster an environment that
nurtures the growth and prosperity of their members.
Bonhoeffer argued that Christianity when separated from the active presence of Jesus
Christ, becomes a belief system that lacks true discipleship. Without discipleship, the essence of
Jesus Christ is missing. Hence, it is clear that fostering discipleship within churches is vital for
attaining optimal outcomes in church development.
Ten Leadership Principles
To thoroughly evaluate a church, it is crucial to recognize and evaluate its successes and
deficiencies. A church that actively pursues ways to enhance itself can grow stronger than one
that avoids recognizing its mistakes. While some individuals may find these shortcomings
discouraging, others may see them as a chance to address problems and promote the church's
advancement. It is vital for each church to carefully scrutinize and understand the ten principles
that support its progress. Upon reflection on my role as a pastoral assistant, it has become clear
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that certain guiding principles of the church need to be transformed to move the congregation
forward. Fixation on the church building, as the third principle, is an issue that congregations
battle with.
Members seem to idolize the physical structure, neglecting the true essence of worship
and spiritual growth. The church leader appears disinterested in fostering the church's
development, particularly concerning the building. However, the pastor excels in guiding to help
the congregation to recognize their missteps. Additionally, principles 4, 5, and 7 have also
contributed to internal strife within the church community. These issues can only be resolved
through individual discipleship, as many spiritually immature followers tend to oppose these
principles. Their shallow relationship with God hinders their ability to comprehend the
significance of serving Jesus over prioritizing their importance within the church failing to
embrace and apply their spiritual gifts results in their inability to fulfill their purpose within the
body of Christ.
Through discipleship, these individuals can come to terms with their shortcomings, a
common realization among immature believers. Personal discipleship must be implemented to
address these issues and facilitate progress within the congregation. Finally, principle number
eight, which concerns the church's outreach efforts, poses a significant challenge. Many
members, particularly older individuals, struggle to dedicate time to outreach activities due to
personal commitments. The logistical challenges of transportation further hinder their
involvement in community outreach.
Conclusion
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It is imperative for individuals who identify themselves as Christians to comprehend that
the progress of discipleship is tantamount to the progress of leadership. The journey of
discipleship can be divided into five distinct phases, each representing a clear advancement and
development from a novice in God's teachings to a mentor who actively imparts knowledge and
guides new disciples. It is of utmost importance that leaders within the church adhere to the
teachings of scripture to effectively influence the disciples they mentor. These leaders must
exhibit authenticity in all aspects and remain steadfast in their commitment to fulfilling God's
purpose for the church. By faithfully upholding these principles, a church will not only maintain
its well-being but also flourish in a time when individuals seek genuine spirituality from
religious institutions.
Bibliography
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Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Discipleship. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2015.
Earley, Dave, and Rod Dempsey. Disciple-making is ... how to live the great commission with
passion and confidence. B&H Publishing Group, 2014.
Gregory, Tim. “Great Commission Driven: Keeping the Mission at the Forefront.”
Transformational Pastoral Leadership, 2023, 151–57. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-
27488-6_14.
Henrichsen, Walter A. Disciples are made not born: Helping others grow to maturity in Christ.
Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 2018.
Putman, Jim, Bobby Harrington, and Robert Emerson Coleman. DiscipleShift five steps that help
your church to make disciples who make disciples. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013.
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich.
Discipleship. Edited by
Martin Kuske and et al.
Translated by Barbara
Green and Reinhard
Krauss. Vol. 4.
Minneapolis, MN: Fortress
Press, 2003.
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Earley, Dave, and Rod
Dempsey. Disciple
Making Is-- : How to Live
the Great Commission
with
Passion and Confidence.
Nashville, Tennessee: B
& H Academic, 2013.
Giffard, Pierre Alain.
“Leadership and Church
Growth: The Case of
Chuck Smith.” Great
Commission Research
Journal 11, no. 1 (2019).
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Johnson, W Mark.
“Leadership
Development: Re-
Enforcing Healthy
Churches and Preparing
for
Exit.” The Great
Commission Baptist
Journal of Missions 1, no.
1 (2022).
Putman, Jim, Bob
Harrington, and Robert E
Coleman. DiscipleShift:
Five Steps That Help Your
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Church to Make Disciples
Who Make Disciples.
Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan, 2013.
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich.
Discipleship. Edited by
Martin Kuske and et al.
Translated by Barbara
Green and Reinhard
Krauss. Vol. 4.
Minneapolis, MN: Fortress
Press, 200
