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Minister Dr. Alice Price
Discipleship Development Ministry
Focus Statement Discipleship development is a transformative process in which children, teens, and adults grow in their relationship with and knowledge of Christ. Central's discipleship development process is intentional, systematic and sustaining, fostering movement from world-centered existence to Christ-centered living. Biblical Foundation: Matthew 28:19-20 “The Great Commission”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. (TNIV) Relationship to Central’s Vision Grounded in “The Great Commission,” the primary focus of the Discipleship Development Ministry is the spiritual growth and development of purpose-living disciples. As a purpose-driven church, Central is faced with the challenge of joining the Holy Spirit in moving people from the Community to the Crowd, the Crowd to the Congregation, the Congregation to the Committed, and the Committed to the Core. The Discipleship Ministry is designed to address this challenge. Background The general conceptual framework comes from New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland, where the Reverend Dr. Walter S. Thomas, Sr., is the Pastor. Gratitude is extended to Dr. Thomas and his Discipleship Ministry staff for allowing Central to benefit from the excellence they exhibit. It is important to note, however, that Central’s Discipleship Development Ministry will not be a carbon copy of New Psalmist’s Discipleship Ministry. This proposal combines some of the concepts outlined in New Psalmist’s 2004-2005 Discipleship Manual, Rick Warren’s The Purpose-Driven Church, and Stephen Macchia’s Becoming a Healthy Church, with the specific vision, mission and purposes God has set forth for Central, as delivered through our Pastor, the Reverend Dr. Robert C. Scott. Justification Unlike Central in 1950s, 60s, and 70s, today Central is attracting individuals who were not “raised in the church.” Also, unlike the past, most of our disciples live outside the City of St. Louis and commute up to 40 miles each way to attend worship services and other church functions. Central is blessed with a large number of seasoned saints, middle-aged adults, young adults, teens and children. We are also blessed with an economically and educationally diverse congregation. The traditional Christian Education programs, methods of delivery, and timeframes were not designed to offer a holistic approach to discipleship development. Therefore, collaboration, innovation, and creativity are needed to foster transformation among a diverse population of disciples who are at various levels and stages in their relationship with God. The Discipleship Development Ministry encompasses the programs that were traditionally the Christian Education Ministry. However, the Discipleship Development Ministry is not simply a new name for Christian Education. Conceptually and structurally, the Discipleship Development Ministry is designed foster holistic, intentional, systematic and sustained approaches to “making disciples.” While knowing and interpreting God’s Word are essential to the disciple-making process, applying God’s Word offers evidence of transformed lives. Holistic, intentional, systematic and sustained approaches require programs and curricula that move individuals and families from world-centered lifestyles to God-centered lifestyles. Offerings related to developing servant leadership skills, enhancing study skills, managing a household budget, taking care of one’s body, strengthening marriages, building healthy relationships, and understanding our history and culture will be among the non-traditional learning activities of the Discipleship Development Ministry. The offerings of the Discipleship Development Ministry are designed to encourage ongoing spiritual development and life-long learning. Every effort is made to provide learning opportunities that are interactive and engaging. General Description The Discipleship Development Ministry is to be the primary education and training ministry of Central Baptist Church. As such, this ministry will work collaboratively and cooperatively with other ministries and auxiliaries to assure that Central offers holistic, comprehensive, relevant, theologically sound, and biblically based discipleship development programs. The Discipleship Development Ministry will research, develop, create, plan, monitor, schedule, evaluate, and assess the education and training offered to adults, youth and children. This ministry will also identify, train, assess, monitor and evaluate teachers, trainers, and facilitators. The Discipleship Development Ministry is to be comprised of three divisions: 1) Spiritual Growth and Development, 2) Leadership and Enrichment, and 3) General Education, College Prep and Career Development. These divisions are to house all of Central’s education and training curricula, programs and ministries. Where appropriate, offerings will be available in various formats, including traditional classes, workshops, seminars, retreats, conferences, and computer-based learning. §The Spiritual Growth and Development Division is the core component of the Discipleship Development Ministry. Included in this division will be Bible Study classes (TNT), Sunday School curricula, a Purpose Living Discipleship program (PLD) and a Christian Educator Training program (CET). This division will also be responsible for annual programs such as Vacation Bible School and Discipleship Development Institutes. All courses and programs in this division will be designed to build upon previous knowledge. Christian Education Orientation (CEO) is a seven (7) part course designed for new members (disciples). The PLD and the CET are certificate programs requiring up to 21/2 years of study and field work. These programs will be designed to produce master disciples and master Christian educators who are equipped to facilitate moving the Community to the Crowd, the Crowd to the Congregation, the Congregation to the Committed, and the Committed to the Core. § Included in the Leadership Training and Enrichment Division are the Servant Leadership And Training program (SALT), personal and family enrichment offerings, and ministry specific training. The SALT program is the core component of this division. It will be designed to facilitate Christian leadership qualities among disciples who lead or plan to lead ministries and auxiliaries. Like the PLD and CET, SALT is also a certificate program. Its goal is to produce master servant leaders who are equipped to lead and train others. Among the family and personal enrichment offerings are courses/workshops on topics such as time and money management, wellness, parenting, marriage enrichment, and African American history and culture, including the history of Central Baptist Church. Ministry Specific learning activities are those that will be developed and offered exclusively for specific ministry needs. Usher training for adult and youth ushers and kitchen sanitation training for those who serve in the Crisis Intervention Ministry are among the examples. §Three existing ministries will make up the General Education, College Prep and Career Development Division, the CBC Learning Clinic, Financial Aid and Continuing Education (FACE), and the Career and Professional Development Ministry. This division will develop and offer learning activities that enhance academic achievement, college preparedness, career knowledge and professional development.
Warren, Rick. The Purpose-Driven Church: Growth Without Compromising Your Message and Mission. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993. Macchia, Stephen A. Becoming a Healthy Church: 10 Characteristics. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1999. |
