Contents
Introduction--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3
The Great Commission-------------------------------------------------------------------------4-5
Comparison and Contrast of Leadership/Discipleship Approaches---------------5-6
A Healthy Church Is the Goal for Discipleship-------------------------------------------6-7
Leadership Principles That Need More Attention----------------------------------------8
Bibliography----------------------------------------------------------------------------------9
INTRODUCTION
The relationship between discipleship and leadership is a topic of significant interest in
various fields, including business, education, and religion. Authors like Ealey/Dempsey/and
Putman have explored this connection, shedding light on how discipleship can shape effective
leadership qualities. Discipleship involves the process of learning and following the teachings of
a mentor or leader, while leadership entails guiding and influencing others towards a common
goal. Understanding how these two concepts intersect is crucial for individuals seeking to
enhance their leadership skills through the principles of discipleship.
Early/Dempsy emphasizes that effective leadership is rooted in discipleship. They argue that
true leaders are those who have first learned to be followers, embracing humility, servanthood,
and continuous growth. By being disciplined followers themselves, leaders can better understand
the needs of their team members and inspire them to reach their full potential. This approach
fosters a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration within an organization, ultimately leading to
improved performance and success.1
Putman explores the connection between discipleship and leadership by highlighting the
importance of character development. He posits that authentic leadership in not just about skills
or strategies but is deeply intertwined with one’s values, beliefs, and ethical standards. Through
intentional discipleship practices, leaders can cultivate virtues such as integrity, empathy, and
resilience, which are essential for navigating challenges and inspiring others to follow their lead.
In this essay I will analyze “The Great Commission Leadership” and not the similarities
between developing disciple and leaders.
1 Earley, Dave, and Rod Dempsey. Disciple Making Is ... How to Live the Great Commission with Passion and
Confidence. B&H Publishing Group, 2014.
The Great Commission
The Great Commission, as outlined in Matthew 28:18-20, is call for Christians to spread the
gospel and make disciples of all nations. The charge has been a foundational principle of
Christian leadership and outreach for centuries. In recent years, there has been a renewed focus
on the practical application of the Great Commission in church leadership and discipleship. One
such approach comes from the work of Earley and Dempsey, who have developed a model for
disciple making that can also be applied to leadership development within a church context.
At its core, Earley/Dempsey’s disciple making model emphasizes the importance of
relationships and intentional investment in others. This is reflected in the four key stages in their
model: connecting, equipping, coaching, and deploying.2 In each stage there is a focus on
building trust, imparting knowledge, and skills, providing support and guidance, and
empowering individuals to take on leadership roles within the church community.
It is important to note that just as disciples need guidance and support from more experienced
believers, so does leaders need mentors who can provide wisdom, encouragement, and
constructive feedback. This type of relationship can be crucial for helping individuals overcome
challenges, develop new skills, and stay motivated in their leadership journey.3
While theological knowledge is important, it is ultimately through hands-on experience that
individuals develop true mastery of their craft. By providing opportunities for disciples and
leaders to put their faith in practice through service, outreach, and other activities.4
2 Ibid
3 Leadership essentials: Shaping vision, multiplying influence, defining character: Ogden, greg : Free
download, borrow, and streaming (1970) Internet Archive. Available at:
https://archive.org/details/leadershipessent0000ogde (Accessed: 24 February 2024).
4 Ibid
The Great Commission provides a clear call for Christians to make disciples of all nations.
By adopting a model like Earley/Dempsey’s disciple making approach, churches can apply the
principles of this call to leadership development as well. Through intentional investment in
relationships, personal growth, mentoring, accountability, and practical application, churches can
create a culture of discipleship that empowers individuals to become effective leaders who live
out their faith with passion confidence.
Comparison and Contrast of Leadership/Discipleship Approaches
Comparison:
1. Emphasis on Relationship vs. Structure:
Early and Dempsey prioritize building deep relationships with individuals as a
foundation for disciple-making, focusing on personal connection and
mentorship.
Putman, on the other hand, emphasizes implementing structured systems and
processes within the church to facilitate disciple-making on a broader scale.
2. Approach to Discipleship Pathway:
Earley and Dempsey advocate for more organic approach to discipleship, where
growth occurs naturally through relational investments and spiritual guidance.
Putman’s approach involves creating a clear discipleship pathway with defined
steps and resources to guide individuals through the disciple-making process
systematically.
3. Leadership Style:
Earley and Dempsey’s leadership style leans towards being more hands-on,
investing personally in lives of those they are discipling.
Putman’s leadership style focuses on creating structures and systems that enable
others to engage in disciple-making effectively within a church context.
In summary, while both David Earley and Rod Dempsey and Jim Putman share the common
goal of fostering a culture of disciple-making within the church, they differ in their leadership
approaches. Earley and Dempsey emphasize relational investment and personal transformation,
while Putman advocates for structured systems and clear pathways for disciple-making.5
A Healthy Church is the Goal of Discipleship
A healthy church is a crucial component in the process of discipleship, as it provides aa
supportive environment for believers to grow spiritually and develop their faith. The church
serves as a community where Christians can learn from one another, encourage each other in
their faith, and engage in acts of worship and services. In this context, discipleship refers to the
process of helping individuals become devoted followers of Jesus Christ, and a healthy church is
essential in achieving this goal.6
According to the book “Discipleship In The Early Church” by Everett Ferguson, the early
Christian Communities were highly focused on discipleship, with the church serving as the
primary institution form spiritual growth and development. Ferguson’s work provides valuable
5 Discipleshift: Five steps that help your church to make disciples who make disciples (no date) Jim Putman,
Bob Harrington, Robert Coleman: 9780310492627
6 Pastors (no date) The Purpose Driven Church (hardcover), Pastors. Available at:
https://store.pastors.com/the-purpose-driven-church-hardcover.html (Accessed: 24 February 2024).
insight into the historical context of discipleship and the role of the church in fostering spiritual
growth.7
In “Spiritual Formation: Following the Movement of the Spirit” by Robert Mulholland, the
author emphasizes the importance of a healthy church in the context of spiritual formation.
Mulholland’s work explores various aspects of spiritual growth and development, highlighting
the role of the church in nurturing these aspects.8
A healthy church embodies many aspects of discipleship formation: Bible teaching, prayer
and worship, fellowship and community, service, and outreach. Disciples producing other
disciples is very conducive to a healthy church. I love the concept of Earley and Dempsey “Go
and Grow.”9 A healthy church is a vital component in the process of discipleship, as it provides a
supportive environment for believers to grow spiritually and develop their faith. By fostering
these basic methods a healthy church can effectively promote discipleship and help individuals
become devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
7 Church History, volume One: From christ to the pre-reformation (no date) Zondervan Academic. Available
at: https://zondervanacademic.com/products/church-history-volume-one-from-christ-to-the-pre-reformation
(Accessed: 24 February 2024).
8 Spiritual formation: Following the movements of the spirit - kindle ... Available at:
https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Formation-Following-Movements-Spirit-ebook/dp/B003P2W3PU
(Accessed: 25 February 2024).
9 Disciple making is . . .: How to live the great commission with passion and confidence (no date) Dave Early,
Rod Dempsey: 9781433677069
Leadership Principles Needing More Attention
In todays church the vibe that is given is “business as usual” people come to church and the
program is followed from the devotion to the benediction. The people go back home and hit
repeat for the next Sunday. There is no multiplication of disciples, the message of disciple
making is not being taught or done. The Great Commission message is no longer the foundation
of the church. The church has become a place of entertainment and a financial prosperity
platform. Titles and leadership roles have elevated itself over the one and only Jesus Christ.
Our purpose as leaders is to teach, and lead others to Christ and equip them to produce other
disciples. Earley/Dempsy stated “many churches have become spiritual aquariums, just housing
believers, instead of making the believers fishers of men.”10
Bibliography
10 Putman, Jim, and Bobby Harrington. Putman, Jim and Bobby Harrington. DiscipleShift. Grand Rapids,
Michigan. Zondervan. 2013.
Spiritual formation: Following the movements of the spirit - kindle ... Available at:
https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Formation-Following-Movements-Spirit-ebook/dp/
B003P2W3PU (Accessed: 25 February 2024).
Church History, volume One: From Christ to the pre-reformation (no date) Zondervan
Academic. Available at: https://zondervanacademic.com/products/church-history-volume-
one-from-christ-to-the-pre-reformation (Accessed: 24 February 2024).
Disciple making is . . .: How to live the great commission with passion and confidence (no date)
Dave Early, Rod Dempsey: 9781433677069 - Christianbook.com. Available at:
https://www.christianbook.com/disciple-making-great-commission-passion-confidence/
dave-early/9781433677069/pd/677069 (Accessed: 24 February 2024).
Leadership essentials: Shaping vision, multiplying influence, defining character: Ogden, greg :
Free download, borrow, and streaming (1970) Internet Archive. Available at:
https://archive.org/details/leadershipessent0000ogde (Accessed: 24 February 2024).
Pastors (no date) The Purpose Driven Church (hardcover), Pastors. Available at:
https://store.pastors.com/the-purpose-driven-church-hardcover.html (Accessed: 24
February 2024).
Putman, Jim, and Bobby Harrington. Putman, Jim and Bobby Harrington. DiscipleShift. Grand
Rapids, Michigan. Zondervan. 2013. Zondervan, 2013. Last modified 2013. Accessed
10AD. Putman, Jim and Bobby Harrington. DiscipleShift. Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Zondervan. 2013.
Spiritual formation: Following the movements of the spirit - kindle ... Available at:
https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Formation-Following-Movements-Spirit-ebook/dp/
B003P2W3PU (Accessed: 25 February 2024).
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