There are 5 Dimensions of the human person we have identified in our new vision of discipleship:
Spiritual Formation undergirds all the others and is the way we summarize what it means to love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind (Matthew 22:37-40).
Personal Wholeness focuses on emotional heath and proper self-respect, and biblically, emotional and spiritual maturity are inseparable (Ephesians 4:17-5:33; Colossians 3:1-16).
Healthy Relationships is the dimension that reflects the biblical command to, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” From our families to our friendships, all relationships can be marked by love and wisdom (I Corinthians 13)
Vocational Clarity means we have a sense of calling and purpose that is more than our current job, but informs our daily life and work (Ephesians 2:8-10).
Economics and Work is the dimension that speaks to our daily lives as the place where our discipleship and mission are carried out (Jeremiah 29; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; I Timothy 2:1-6)
We are thankful to God for every personal, local church, and community-wide spiritual revival. It is wonderful when God’s people reignite their passion for love and truth, consecration, and evangelism. It is a joy seeing new converts baptized and added to our churches. American and global church history are filled with seasons of spiritual refreshing and renewal.
But the Lord has even more in store for us as we pursue God’s glory and the good of others. In special moments of history, the reviving work of the Spirit also overflows to social and spiritual transformation of neighborhoods and nations, touching every people group and domain of society. Put simply, the people of God have influence and impact in economic and social structures. We call this overflow awakening. Read more …
Friends, we are so excited to share with you all the new developments with the Discipleship Dynamics Assessment (DDA) and the mission we are on with you to transform discipleship. We are calling this new era beginning today, “DDA 4.0.” Why? Because we have learned so much in the last decade that we can confidently declare that our vision is clearer, our assessments are more refined, and the new resources we are offering make our entire mission more complete.
A little history, from 1.0 to 4.0: We introduced the DDA in 2013 with five Dimensions and 40 Outcomes. It was met with approval and many joined us in this unprecedented vision and evaluation of whole-life discipleship. In listening to users, they asked if it could be more streamlined and have an outcome focused on physical health. We heard you and the DDA 2.0 was born a couple years later. Since 2016, we have been refining this tool that offers a unique snapshot of a believer’s current walk with the Lord. Read more …
The church has never had more Christian discipleship resources for spiritual growth…and yet leaders everywhere are concerned about the real spiritual depth and breadth of their congregants. From ancient texts to modern authors, we are drowning in content and yet strangely superficial as crises rock of faith of many and failures of the institutional church cause some to question the Gospel itself.
Spiritual formation includes the great disciplines of biblical study, prayer, contemplation, solitude, congregational worship, generous giving and more. The problem is that many believers still have distinct categories for the dimensions of their lives, separating sacred and secular, spiritual and practical, and creating lists of priorities (God, family, church, work, etc.). Read more …
As we endure through and emerge from this pandemic, there are some practical steps leaders can implement so that their people are ready for a world that has changed forever. Pastors and spiritual leaders (elders, deacons, staff, volunteer leaders and so many others): Thank you for your love, sacrificial service, and tireless concern for your congregations and communities. These thoughts are intended to relieve burdens, not add to them! Here are four first steps in forging a new future.
Take care of yourselves. Self-care is not selfish; it is a vital starting point for having capacity to care for others. Nourishing intimacy with God, receiving healing in our hearts, physical exercise and rest, and relational wholeness are all part of being prepared for service. Jesus’ great invitation of Matthew 11:27-30 is an offer of pacing and rest we can embrace.
The current pandemic is bringing untold suffering – and an unprecedented opportunity for re-calibrating discipleship and mission. In this two-part series, I want to offer some insights how we can refine and even transform how we see the equipping of God’s people.
No one knows the future of our global and local economies. “V-shaped” (fairly rapid); “U-Shaped” (slower) and “check-shaped” (quick descent, slow ascent) visuals are all presented, but only time will tell the full effects of the pandemic.
The case for integrating faith, work, and economic wisdom for human flourishing, church vitality, and community thriving is now stronger than ever, and few are arguing for any sacred/secular divides. This said, the need for wisdom is paramount as spiritual leaders empower their congregants for a new economic world.
This moment of coronavirus crisis is a great opportunity to re-calibrate our discipleship efforts, thinking more about outcomes than programs, and more about resourcing one another than having meetings.
There is much discussion on the best ways to make disciples and see true maturity, stability, and vitality in believers. All leaders are emphasizing both relationships and sound doctrine, practical disciplines and inner transformation.
What is missing is a clear vision of flourishing, of health in all dimensions of life. The Discipleship Dynamics Assessment offers this vision and the ability to measure progress. As the Lord is leading your community in making disciples, consider offering clarity about what health looks like! Read more …
When we were creating the Discipleship Dynamics Assessment (DDA), we listened to the insights of hundreds of leaders in all fields of work who were committed to discipleship. We found that everyone was on board for assessing spiritual, emotional, and relational dimensions.
What makes the DDA revolutionary in the INTEGRATION of Vocational Clarity (calling and purpose beyond today’s daily work) and Economics and Work (ALL daily tasks and the fact we are part of various economies) with the spiritual life!
There is no “secular” employment for the people of God – only God’s work in us and through us in everything we do! It is TODAY’s discipline that is tomorrow’s destiny. Yes, there is much injustice and toil in our work – but it is the place where God’s purposes are lived out. Read more …
The recent Paris Summit on Climate Change attracted hundreds of leaders, all concerned about the effects of human activity on global weather patterns and the environment. Phrases such as “immanent crisis” and “the survival of humanity” were frequently used.
Humankind does “leave a footprint” on the earth. The image of God in us unleashes creativity and innovation as we fashion new products and services from our imaginations and natural resources. Alas, our sinful nature is also manifest in our abuse of the environment and poor stewardship of our Father’s beautiful world.
It is possible to integrate concern for our planet with care for people and making profits in our enterprises. Several recent global studies demonstrate the harmony of care for the environment with creativity and innovation and participation in the global and local economy. Regardless of our particular opinions on climate change, Christians are called to Creation care.
This is why the Discipleship Dynamics Assessment includes Outcomes that focus not only on economics and work, but also on caring for the environment. Without any ideological or political partisanship, we believe that disciples of Jesus Christ should be the best stewards of God’s gifts and diligently labor for the common good.
While the world debates, we can be “doers of the Word” – caring for the marginalized and working for the common good as we thoughtfully carry out our callings.
Millions of hours and billions of dollars are spent on (often much needed) personal therapy as women and men grapple with their past. Our assessments of our past and our aspirations for the future stimulate our presence actions. If we have serious hurts and regrets in our history and little hope for the future, our current decisions may be defective or destructive.
Jesus Christ came into history to change our personal histories and give us radically new hopes. Jesus carried our sins, sicknesses, sorrows and unanswered questions on the cross (2 Cor. 5:21). Though our memories remain, we can now “tag” our past sins as forgiven. Our wounds are being healed. The rejections that traumatized our identity are being replaced by divine acceptance declaring we are the brothers and sisters of Jesus (Rom. 8; Hebrews 2-5)!
Jesus’ resurrection is a preview of our future (Rom. 8) and the indwelling Holy Spirit is God’s “down payment” guaranteeing an embodied eternity of amazing fulfillment in God’s presence (Eph. 1). The Cross and Resurrection change everything and we are now a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17).
Personal wholeness and healthy relationships begin with peace in our hearts. As we embrace Christ’s love and forgiveness, release our past [mis] perceptions and mistakes, we are liberated toward a new future now and forever. These dimensions of discipleship that include healthy self-worth and positive contributions to others now become a delight instead of drudgery.
We are liberated from the limitations of our past into the limitless possibilities of God’s reign (Eph. 3:20-21). Let’s allow God to redeem our history and restore our hope. There are brothers and sisters in our local church ready to help us build a fine future together.
There are 5 Dimensions of the human person we have identified in our new vision of discipleship:
We are thankful to God for every personal, local church, and community-wide spiritual revival. It is wonderful when God’s people reignite their passion for love and truth, consecration, and evangelism. It is a joy seeing new converts baptized and added to our churches. American and global church history are filled with seasons of spiritual refreshing and renewal.
Friends, we are so excited to share with you all the new developments with the Discipleship Dynamics Assessment (DDA) and the mission we are on with you to transform discipleship. We are calling this new era beginning today, “DDA 4.0.” Why? Because we have learned so much in the last decade that we can confidently declare that our vision is clearer, our assessments are more refined, and the new resources we are offering make our entire mission more complete.
The church has never had more Christian discipleship resources for spiritual growth…and yet leaders everywhere are concerned about the real spiritual depth and breadth of their congregants. From ancient texts to modern authors, we are drowning in content and yet strangely superficial as crises rock of faith of many and failures of the institutional church cause some to question the Gospel itself.
As we endure through and emerge from this pandemic, there are some practical steps leaders can implement so that their people are ready for a world that has changed forever. Pastors and spiritual leaders (elders, deacons, staff, volunteer leaders and so many others): Thank you for your love, sacrificial service, and tireless concern for your congregations and communities. These thoughts are intended to relieve burdens, not add to them! Here are four first steps in forging a new future.
The current pandemic is bringing untold suffering – and an unprecedented opportunity for re-calibrating discipleship and mission. In this two-part series, I want to offer some insights how we can refine and even transform how we see the equipping of God’s people.